How to Change the Sort Order for Numbers in File and Folder Names in Vista
INFO: This will show you how to change the default sort order in Windows Explorer for files and folders that contain numbers in their name so that they will be sorted by the number instead of the number's numeric value. For more information, see:
Microsoft Help and Support: KB319827 NOTE: By default, the sort order in Vista considers strings in file and folder names as numeric content, not text. Numerals in folder and file names are sorted according to their numeric value. In the example below, 401 is a numerically higher value than 6. Therefore, the Ie401sp2.txt file is listed after the Ie6.txt file when you the files are sorted by name in ascending order. In the example below, note how the following files, whose names contain numerals, are sorted.
RELATED LINKS: 1. How to Reset Windows Explorer Folder View Settings to Make Vista Remember 2. How to Change a Windows Explorer Folder Type Template in Vista 3. How to Change the Windows Explorer Columns and Sort Order in Vista 4. How to Open and Change Folder Options in Vista EXAMPLE: Default Sort Order for Numbers in File and Folder Names NOTE: You will just need to see which sort oder you like better to see if you wish to modify it or not.
Default.jpg EXAMPLE: Modified Sort Order for Numbers in File and Folder Names NOTE: You will just need to see which sort oder you like better to see if you wish to modify it or not.
Modified.jpg METHOD ONE: Through a Download: OPTION ONE: 1. To Modifiy Sort Order for All Users -
A)
Modify_All_Users_Sort_Order.reg < Click To Download 2. To Restore Default Sort Order for All Users -
A)
Default_All_Users_Sort_Order.reg < Click To Download OPTION TWO: 3. To Modify Sort Order for Current User Only -
A)
Modify_Current_User_Sort_Order.reg < Click To Download 4. To Restore Default Sort Order for Current User Only -
A)
Default_Current_User_Sort_Order.reg < Click To Download 5. Click on
Save, and save the
.reg file to the
Desktop.
6. Right click the
.reg (On Desktop) file and click
Merge.
7. Click on the
Run button for Security Warning pop-up.
8. Click on
Continue (UAC),
Yes, and then
OK when prompted.
9. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.
10. When done, you can delete the
.reg file (On Desktop).
METHOD TWO: The Manual Way: 1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type
regedit and press
Enter.
3. Click the
Continue button for the UAC prompt.
OPTION ONE: 4. To Modify the Sort Order for All Users -
A) In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer NOTE: If you do not have Explorer, then right click on Polices and click New -> Key, then type Explorer and press Enter.
B) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click
New ->
DWORD (32-bit) Value.
HKLM_Reg1.jpg
C) Type
NoStrCmpLogical and press
Enter. (See screenshot below)
D) Right click on
NoStrCmpLogical and click
Modify.
HKLM_Reg2.jpg
E) Type
1 and click
OK. (See screenshot below)
Modify.jpg
F) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)
HKLM_Reg3.jpg 5. To Restore the Default Sort Order for All Users -
A) In the right pane of step 4F, right click on
NoStrCmpLogical and click
Delete.
B) Click
Yes to confirm deletion.
6. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes. Your Done.
OPTION TWO: 7. To Modify the Sort Order for Current User Only -
A) In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer NOTE: If you do not have Explorer, then right click on Polices and click New -> Key, then type Explorer and press Enter.
B) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click
New ->
DWORD (32-bit) Value.
HKCU_Reg1.jpg
C) Type
NoStrCmpLogical and press
Enter. (See screenshot below)
D) Right click on
NoStrCmpLogical and click
Modify.
HKCU_Reg2.jpg
E) Type
1 and click
OK. (See screenshot below)
Modify.jpg
F) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)
HKCU_Reg3.jpg 8. To Restore the Default Sort Order for Current User Only -
A) In the right pane of step 7F, right click on
NoStrCmpLogical and click
Delete.
B) Click
Yes to confirm deletion.
9. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.
That's it,
Shawn
Linear Mode
