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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

60+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

214 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-03-14T00:01:02+00:00

    You're picking on some low-hanging fruit there...

    Every folder can save three distinct view states:

    1. Explorer (Shell)
    2. Common Dialogs (ComDlg)

    ( w/ Navigation Pane ) 3. NT-Style Dialogs (ComDlgLegacy)

    ( w/ Places Bar )

    and now that Downloads has is own FolderType, with default view grouped by Date, the "trick", as it were, is to use Apply to folders to set a custom  default for your profile. Most people already do this with Docuements, Pictures, and Music folders. 

     

    Keith

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-01-16T22:15:00+00:00

    This is another case of a software vendor making the mistake of thinking they know better than me how I want to do something. I'm all for adding features but make the feature availble for me to choose when to use it. Don't just force it down my throat and say it's the only way.

    If I was Okay with a vendor's "My way or the highway" attitude I would have bought a Mac.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-01-15T11:26:15+00:00

    Thanks for the explanation and the solution.

    Nonetheless, I think grouping as a default is a very stupid thing as it obfuscates things for almost everybody who has used the pc for more than a few weeks.

    In the days of XP Microsoft put much effort into usability but the latest revisions of windows went far away from it.

    Why is there no setting to set ALL folder views the same in one swoop?

    Why is the start menu so stupidly organized?

    Who the heck decided that are 5 different folder types (general items, documents, music, pictures, videos) which everybody must have?

    And there is much much more.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2020-01-11T14:44:52+00:00

    What I did and solved the continuously grouping by date of "Downloads" folder.

    In windows explorer left pane

    Right click on the "Downloads" Folder

    Select "Properties"

    Click "Customize"

    Change Drop Down Menu to anything other then "General Items"

    Change again back to "General Items"

    "Apply" button appears

    Click "Apply"

    Click "OK"

    I hope it solves your ms problems to.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments