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
    2021-01-23T18:55:45+00:00

    Keith, just look at all the posts to this BUG on this topic.  It certainly is a BUG to me and all the others that have graciously taken the time to alert someone - anyone that could fix this.  How many other 100s of thousands are out there that haven't complained but just cuss MS for forcing things on its users.  It wasn't asked for, wasn't need or wanted.  You don't have the right to justify an aggravation like this.  Why should anyone have to try one of your workarounds to correct things like this?  Shame on you.

    I for one am tired of trying the workarounds you've said would fix this known problem but don't.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-01-23T18:35:36+00:00

    JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE IT DOESN'T MAKE IT A BUG!

    GroupBy Date is the default for the Downloads FolderType, so you have to user Apply to Folders to set a custom default with no grouping.

    I've posted about this numerous times here & in other online forums. Search for my other replies for me details.

    Keith

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-01-23T16:52:10+00:00

    Tried & Died. One of my 1st steps, actually.

    one sec, trying that again now.

    This bug is the weirdest.

    I initiate a file download now and Save-As is okay, not sorted by date.

    What is triggering it to go back to Group by / Date all the time?

    But, Right-Click does show Group by (many times before it has not shown-up at all when I right-click in a blank area, which feature is Extremely Touchy. Sometime New doesn't show up, but a different context menu instead, depending on how blank the blank are is underneath the blankness I am clicking on when Group by Does or Does Not show up upon Right-Click 'blank area', though when it is already NONE, NONE doesn't show up at all, which disallows an old tried&true Windows Bug Work-Around, "Click it again, even though it is already clicked, then it will Really Be Clicked For Sure This Time." I know, it was old old old Windows which had that bug happening a LOT.

    But, I can click on something else, then go back and NONE will show, right.

    Let's find out now.

    one sec...  brb

    YEP, that works fine now, THANKS!!!

    Not resolved yet, waiting to WATCH IT CHANGE BACK TO "View / Group By / Date" in a few seconds...

    THAT IS THE BUG TO FIX HERE!!!

    Stop whatever is doing it from setting it back to View / Group by / Date all the time, please.

    as another user mentioned, "In 35+ years of dealing with file systems of various sort, I have my way of doing things, which involves my grand old tried & true "dir /ogen" method, by Folder 1st, by Extension 2nd, by Name 3rd. PERIOD!"  ;)

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-01-23T15:05:55+00:00

    Right-click within the Window.

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