Disable group by in Downloads folder (Windows 10 1903)

Anonymous
2019-06-18T09:01:17+00:00

Hi, since I updated to the new Windows 1903 version the files in some folders like "Downloads" are always grouped by the date. I was able to disable this in the File Explorer itself by choosing "Group by = none". But in all kind of "Save as" dialogs from any application the group by date still appears and in those special explorer windows there is no option to disable file grouping in them. So how can I disable this globally?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2019-06-19T03:25:57+00:00

Hi Chap Sistine,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

The Group by option in normal folders and in Save as window are different, so if you change the Group by to type in Downloads folder, it will not change in Save as window. Then, if you change the Group by in Save as window, it will not change in normal folders.

You can refer the below example.

Change the Group by as size in Downloads folder - Change the Group by as size in Save as window.

Change the Group by as type in Downloads folder - (Check) Group by as size in Save as window (it will not change until you right-click in Save as window and change it to type or anything else).

Also, the Group by option is specific to folders and once you change Group by for a particular folder, the changes will not be applied to all the folders. You need to change the Group by for every folder by opening that particular folder > Press the Alt and V > Click on G > Select the Group by settings or click on Choose columns for more options.

So, once you change the Group by in Save as window, it will remain the same regardless of whichever application you open the Save as window from.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-11-23T19:12:49+00:00

    If I set the Downloads folder to group by none under file explorer, the next time I open Downloads in file explorer it is grouped by date.

    If I set the Downloads folder to group by none in the save as dialog, the next time I have a save as dialog, Downloads is grouped by date.

    If I set a folder to group by none and sort by name under file explorer, then under view options set all folders to use the same settings, the next time I open Downloads in file explorer, it is grouped by date and sorted in some order that is not by name.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-11-17T13:17:42+00:00

    @c.a.v : thanks for the simple solution.

    I fully agree with arbpen2011 's comment.

    Microsoft has become more and more brainless since the usability focused days of XP.

    They add magic, bells and whistles which confuse the standard user and they put a whole lot of work on computer experts to get a clean and smoothly working system.

    I want my folders ALL have the same detailed view. No different looks depending on content.

    No grouping, rearranged columns, missing menu bars and the like.

    I always want ALL extensions shown.

    I don't want stupid "shortcut to" names on links.

    I do not want special folders like DOWNLOAD or MUSIC which behave differently to other folders.

    I do not want apps which are treated different from regular programs.

    I do not want a stupid start menu which cannot be arranged properly and imposes a lot of scrolling.

    I do not want any hidden tray icons.

    I do not want a stupid indexer when SearchEverything is so much faster and leaner.

    And there is so much more.

    The default startup logo brings it to the point.

    I am in the Microsoft dungeon, the light shines in through the window bars and I have a hard time trying to escape.

    I AGREE WITH YOU AND HAVE SAID THE SAME THING FOREVER!!

    I think.. you and i might be part of the same matrix xD

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-11-07T11:34:14+00:00

    Thank you Keith.  This is what I was expecting - a simple answer to a F****** stupid issue.  I figured it was something silly.

    Cheers!!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-10-01T20:58:39+00:00

    Hi, since I updated to the new Windows 1903 version the files in some folders like "Downloads" are always grouped by the date. I was able to disable this in the File Explorer itself by choosing "Group by = none". But in all kind of "Save as" dialogs from any application the group by date still appears and in those special explorer windows there is no option to disable file grouping in them. So how can I disable this globally?

    Windows 10 file save dialog displaying grouped by date 

    gpedit.msc

    User Configuration

    Administrative Templates

    Windows Components

    File Explorer

    ENABLE Windows Libraries features that rely on indexed file data.

    Don't forget my other post of the setting group by to none

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