Vista - Windows Explorer Auto Arrange - Disable

   Information

In Vista, 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 will show you how to disable or re-enable Auto Arrange in Vista to be able to sort your files and folders in any random order you like in Windows Explorer without it having to be sorted alphabetically by name. Vista will also remember these random folder sortings, and open as how they were when the window was last closed.

   Note

• When auto arrange is disabled, you can arrange items in any order and position using Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Extended Tiles folder views.
• When auto arrange is disabled, you can only arrange items in any order using Details folder view, and not in any position.
• When auto arrange is disabled and you switch from a Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Extended Tiles folder view to Details folder view, it will change and list all items in the folder in the order that you had them arranged in any position instead.
• When auto arrange is disabled, you will need to click on View (Menu bar) and uncheck Auto Arrange if checkedwhen you open a folder with a "Pictures and Videos" folder template using a Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, or Extended Tiles folder views.
• When you disable auto arrange, and either 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 Vista.

• Free sorting is not available if you use "Group by" folder views instead of only "Sort by" or "Stack by" folder views.
• Free sorting is not available in the List and Content folder views.

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

Disable_Vista_Explorer_Auto_Arrange.bat

2. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run it.

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

4. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.

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

6. Auto arrange in Windows Explorer is now disabled.

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

Enable_Vista_Explorer_Auto_Arrange.bat

2. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run it.

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

4. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.

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

6. Auto arrange in Windows Explorer is now enabled again.