How to Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer in Windows 10

information   Information
Numerical sorting in File Explorer is enabled by default in Windows 10.

When numerical sorting is enabled, File Explorer will sort file names by increasing number value (for example, 3 < 22 < 111).

When numerical sorting is disabled, File Explorer will sort file names by each digit in a file name (for example, 111 < 22 < 3).

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable numerical sorting in File Explorer for all users in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable numerical sorting in File Explorer.

CONTENTS:
  • Option One: To Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer using Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: To Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer using a REG file


EXAMPLE: Numerical Sorting in File Explorer Enabled and Disabled
Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer in Windows 10-numerical_sorting_enabled.jpg Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer in Windows 10-numerical_sorting_disabled.jpg






OPTION ONE

To Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer using Local Group Policy Editor


Note   Note
Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option TWO below.


1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2. In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\File Explorer

Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer in Windows 10-file_explorer_numerical_sorting_gpedit-1.jpg

3. In the right pane of File Explorer in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Turn off numerical sorting in File Explorer policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4. Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


 5. To Enable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer

A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.


 6. To Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer in Windows 10-file_explorer_numerical_sorting_gpedit-2.jpg

7. When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.






OPTION TWO

To Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer using a REG file


Note   Note
The .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry keys below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

NoStrCmpLogical DWORD

(delete) = Enable
1 = Disable


1. Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Enable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer

NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Enable_numerical_sorting_in_File_Explorer.reg

Download


 3. To Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Disable_numerical_sorting_in_File_Explorer.reg

Download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. Restart the explorer process or sign out and sign in to apply.

8. You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


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