How to manually arrange folders in windows 7__

Anonymous
2009-10-24T14:09:18+00:00

When i try manually move one folder to be the first i can t whay

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2009-10-25T13:55:54+00:00

Hello ivan099, welcome.

You can manually arrange desktop icons, however, any other icons within folders are auto-arranged and cannot be altered by direct access. You can arrange them in a multitude of different ways by right clicking open space (within a folder) and selecting Sort By > More...

A problem was discovered in Windows XP when users would accidentally manually arrange folders and icons and, in turn, they would overlap eachother. For simplicity's sake and for performance reasons, this feature was removed.

There are a number of 3rd-party programs that exist that allow you to do this, however, they would of course not be supported by Microsoft.

I would search the internet for 'File Manager', 'Alternate Shell', or something of the like. You may find some support forums that have users that specialize in just the exact thing you are looking for.

Hope this helps,

Thanks!

Ryan Thieman

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-19T05:47:33+00:00

    If you are trying to create a "quick link" folder in the bottom toolbar (next to the clock) and arrange the links within the toolbar folders, follow my notes I made as a reminder on how to repeat this after windows reboot....

    To create toolbar folders (quick links) first right click on bottom toolbar > highlight toolbar > new toolbar > select the document folder within the library (left plane) > create “new folder” and name as it will appear on bottom toolbar. The folder just created should now be on the bottom toolbar next to the clock. This folder should be in the document folder of the library in the left plane of all windows explorer when opened.

    If you want to be able to arrange the links within the “new folder” in the toolbar in any order you wish, ALL links must be “SHORTCUTS”.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-03-19T07:48:04+00:00

    Ryan, I'm afraid you are SO VERY WRONG!

    Manual rearrangement of  files within folders is absolutely ESSENTIAL for many reasons but especially for anybody with a photographic collection wishing to arrange files by picture content (for example for a slide show). It is ridiculous to suggest that this feature should be totally disabled because some users (only beginners I'm sure!) had trouble with overlapping icons.

    The was a deluge of complaints all over the Web from hundreds/thousands of users throughout the world when it was discovered that Windows 7 would not allow this. No previous versions of Windows had this problem and neither, of course, did Apple computers. I found it incredible that Microsoft could make such an elementary error of understanding.

    Fortunately a simple registry fix was published soon after Windows 7 was introduced which completely solved the problem. I applied this solution in a few minutes with complete satisfaction. This fix is still available and is detailed here:

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/92758-windows-explorer-auto-arrange-disable.html

    I keep hoping that this fix will be applied by Microsoft permanently in a Windows 7 routine update. So far I have been disappointed! Absolutely incredible!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-03-19T18:38:27+00:00

    Jill,

    Try this....

    To create toolbar folders (quick links) first right click on bottom toolbar > highlight toolbar > new toolbar > select the document folder within the library (left plane) > create “new folder” and name as it will appear on bottom toolbar. The folder just created should now be on the bottom toolbar next to the clock. This folder should be in the document folder of the library in the left plane of all windows explorer when opened.

    If you want to be able to arrange the links within the “new folder” in the toolbar in any order you wish, ALL links must be “SHORTCUTS”.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments