Windows Explorer Auto Arrange - Disable

How to Disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Explorer to have Free Sorting​

   Information

In Windows 7, auto arrange is enabled by default so that all file and folder names in Windows Explorer are sorted alphabetically no matter what folder view you used.

This is basically like having how you can arrange icons how you like on your desktop in every folder in Windows Explorer now.

This will show you how to disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 to be able to sort your files and folders in any random order and position you like in each opened folder in Windows Explorer and in the Pin to Start Menu area at the top of the Start Menu without it having to be sorted alphabetically by name. Windows 7 will also remember these random folder sortings (order and position), and open as how they were when the folder window was last closed.

   Note

When You Disable Auto Arrange:

• While using Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Extended Tiles folder views, you can arrange files/folders in any random order and position.
• While using Details folder view, you can only arrange files/folders in any order and not in any random position.
• While using Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Extended Tiles folder views, you can click on View (Menu bar) and check Auto arrange to have the black indicator line back inbetween files/folders when arranging files/folders in any order. This turns off the ability to arrange files/folders by random positions though.
• While using Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Extended Tiles folder views, you can click on View (Menu bar) and uncheck Auto arrange to be able to arrange files/folders in any order and random positions.
• The Auto arrange and Align to grid options can be turned on and off at will in the View (Menu bar and right click context menu) when available (not grayed out) while using Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, or Extended Tiles folder views.
• If you have items arranged by random positions and switch from a Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Extended Tiles folder view to a List, Details, Extended Tiles, or Content folder view, the random positions will be reset but still placed in a order of arrangement instead.
• If you unzip a file in a folder, move a folder, or rename a folder, it will refresh and auto arrange the files in that specific folder only after each time you do this. Auto arrange is still disabled for that folder, but you will need to arrange the files back to whatever non-auto arranged order you like again after unzipping a file in a folder, move a folder, or rename a folder.

   Warning

DO NOT USE this tutorial in any other OS than Windows 7.

• While this tutorial will allow you to disable auto arrange in the main Libraries folder itself, it will not disable auto arrange in any of the other library folders (ex: Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos).
• Free sorting is not available if you use "Group by" folder views instead of only "Sort by" folder views.
• Free sorting is not available in the List and Content folder views.
• When you disable Auto Arrange, you will have Extend Tiles folder view instead of Tiles available in all folders except the Computer windows.

EXAMPLE: Auto Arrange Enabled and Disabled
NOTE: Notice in the screenshot with Auto Arrange disabled, the files can be dragged around the Windows Explorer window to sort how you like without having to be in alphabetical order.

OPTION ONE

To Disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Windows Explorer

   Warning

It is also recommended to create a restore point before doing this option in case you would like to undo any unwanted unknown side affects that OPTION TWO may not undo. This way, you could also do a system restore with this restore point to undo this option completely.

1. Click on the Download button below to download the BAT file below.
Disable_Windows_7_Explorer_Auto_Arrange.bat

Download


2. Save the .bat file to your desktop.

3. Close everything that you have running first, then run the downloaded .bat file.

4. If prompted, click on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.

5. You will now notice your screen flicker and a command prompt open as the explorer process is restarted.

6. Let the command prompt count down to finish on it's own without pressing a key.

7. When it's finished, you will see the Computer window open.

8. Auto arrange in Windows Explorer is now disabled.

OPTION TWO

To Enable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Windows Explorer

NOTE: This is the default setting.
1. Click on the Download button below to download the BAT file below.
Enable_Windows_7_Explorer_Auto_Arrange.bat

Download


2. Save the .bat file to your desktop.

3. Close all opened explorer windows first, then run the downloaded .bat file.

4. If prompted, click on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.

5. You will now notice your screen flicker and a command prompt open as the explorer process is restarted.

6. When it's finished, you will see the Computer window open.

7. Auto arrange in Windows Explorer is now enabled again.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Back Up and Restore Your Folder View Settings in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Disable Auto Arrange in Vista Windows Explorer to have Free Sorting
• Make Windows 7 Start Menu User Folder Buttons Open to Users Instead of Libraries Location
• How to Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in Windows Explorer
• How to Reset All Folder View Settings to Default in Windows 7
• How to Reset the Folder View Settings for All Folders with Same Folder Template in Windows 7
• "Apply to Folders" a Specific Folder View to All Folders with Same Folder Template in Windows 7
• How to Change a Folder Template in Windows 7
• How to Set a Default Folder Template for All Folders in Windows 7
• How to Change the File and Folder View Arrangement in Windows 7 Explorer
• How to Change the Icon Size in a Windows 7 Explorer Window
• How to Change the Group by, Sort by, and Arrange by Folder View in Windows 7 Explorer
• How to Set a Default Folder View for All Folders in Windows 7
• How to Add or Remove Windows Explorer Columns
• How to Change the Width of Columns in Windows Explorer
• How to Enable or Disable Start Menu Auto Arrange by Name in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Arrange Folders Included in a Library in Any Order in Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[supaglenn]

Not Working

Hi Brink,
I followed step by step, but still not working, any ideas?

 

[Brink]

Hello Glenn, and welcome to Seven Forums.

It will not work in a library folder if that may be what you have open. If not, double check and retry the steps again to see if you may have missed anything by mistake.

 

[supaglenn]

Folders

Hey Brink,
Thanks for getting back. I really want to sort this its getting on my waz that I cant organise them myself. I've tried it in 2 places, downloads and music. Would these be library files?
Thanks again, Glenn.

 

[Brink]

Unless you navigated directly to the C:\Users\(user-name) location in Windows Explorer from your C: drive to open them, then most likely you opened the library location instead.

 

[supaglenn]

Thanks

I will give it a go tomorrow, Cheers.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. Please let us know how it went, or if you have any questions.

 

[Paul B]

Hi Brink,
Just wanted to say thank you for your instructions on how to turn off auto-arrange in Windows 7.

I was really ticked off when I thought I was stuck with being unable to arrange things as I wanted.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Paul B.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Pual, and welcome to Seven Forums. Thank you.

 

[HomePlicity]

Does not work for me

Did not appear to change anything. Followed the directions word for word and nothing changes. Do I activate or turn the feature on and off? Nothing under "Arange By". At a loss. The direction are easy to follow and the downloads work fine and I always choose computer after the restart. I must be missing something. I really need this feature or I am sticking with XP. Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello HomePlicity, and welcome to Seven Forums.

This will not work in library folders if you are testing this in a library folder.

 

[Fixer]

Thanks for the solution. But i have some problems.

If i copy/move some file to certain folder with another program (e.g. downloading file with Opera) and Windows Explorer is closed (or opened not in the same folder i save file to), then this file will be at the beginning of all files. See screenshot below. Is there any way to place new files & folder to the end of all files?

 

[Brink]

Hello Fixer,

I'm afraid that with auto arrange disabled, you may have to manually move them were you want them.

 

[lyncher]

Brink you are the king!
I'm a forum nube and I asked the question of how to move my pictures around without auto-arrange. I had given up hope till I seen just one reply from nearly a 100 views. It was my new best friend 'neutron16'. He sent me a link to this page.
I told him that I loved him, so now I love you too!

 

[Brink]

Thank you Lyncher, and welcome to Seven Forums. I'm happy to hear that it was able to help you.

 

[Xap]

Same problem. When auto arrange is disabled, new files are storred at the begining of the list. Pretty annoying...

 

[Brink]

Hello Xap,

True, but at least you will be able to move/arrange it where you like afterwards.

 

[lizlio]

auto-arrange



I am interested in documents, pics, music, but especially pictures. When I try the 'download' I do not get a "save" option, only "Run" or Cancel in the pop up window.

I am running this from the start menu I think. Now I'm confused about folder view / details /

thank you in advance

 

[Brink]

Hello Lizlio, and welcome to Seven Forums.

What web browser are you using? Is it doing that if you download the REG file in Internet Explorer?

The example screenshot (click on link) in the tutorial below will give you a better look at what "Details" folder view is, and more about folder views.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...rangement-change-windows-explorer-window.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[lizlio]

I am not using a web browser when viewing pics, just been trying to arrange them. If I open IE (8), then this may help I guess. Never thought of that.


I'll work on this later,
thank you

 

[Brink]

Sorry, I meant what web browser you were using to download the REG files since you were not getting an option to Save them. You would still use Windows Explorer to view and arrange the pics in.