How to get File Explorer to sort folders and files together?


  1. Posts : 2
    Win10 Home 64
       #1

    How to get File Explorer to sort folders and files together?


    Currently I can only get all folders sorted and then all files sorted. I'd like to get them to sort together. Specifically this is for my Movies drive, which has thousands of films... most are in folders, but some are just files.

    I searched here and elsewhere, but did not find any answers specifically for Win10. I also tried Xplorer2 and tried to sort by 8.3 Name, but that still did not work. My ideal solution would not include 3rd party software.

    I'm open to modifying system files if need be, I just do not have the technical skills to do it without a tutorial.

    All assistance is appreciated. Thank you!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,899
    Windows 10 Pro for the Bro
       #2

    Hello, I have some folders that I customize in order for best appearance whenever I'm working in there. Here's one of the examples that I have. There are certain Unicode characters that are invisible and let you re-organize the way you want. Yet one rule is that folders will always be on top, and then the files are listed under the folders.

    Yet one big thing is that you have to rename your files and add those "invisible" Unicode characters to your file names / folder names.

    How to get File Explorer to sort folders and files together?-file-explorer-reorganization.png
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,899
    Windows 10 Pro for the Bro
       #3

    Actually, the picture I posted above barely shows what I meant, lol. Here's a better example of what I'm talking about. The files in this folder are sorted by name. So you can see that these "invisible" characters can let you sort file names the way you want them. I renamed all those files by adding the invisible characters.

    *But once again, I don't think you want to rename your files and add those "invisible" characters, right?

    How to get File Explorer to sort folders and files together?-better-example.png
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2
    Win10 Home 64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Unfortunately, no. That is not what I'm looking to to. I'd like for File Explorer to behave like Mac's Finder. Such as:

      My Computer


  5. Posts : 13,896
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #5

    I see the same in my MacBook Pro running macOS Sierra [the latest] but what Windows does [Folders then files] is pretty much a hold-over from DOS days with Win3.x running on it. [Think pre-Windows 95 (1995).] Since Folders normally don't use extensions [although that could be done] that method of sorting by Type doesn't work.
      My Computers


 

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