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
    2020-11-18T20:28:43+00:00

    I suspect it is not a bug because it has never gotten fixed.  If it was a bug, it would get fixed.  I think it is an unfortunate lack of decent management at Microsoft.  They are apparently not qualified to manage young developers who do not realize untested changes can have worldwide impact.  It used to work fine.  They fixed something that was not broken.  Good luck convincing the Feedback Hub that this happens regularly.

    I can remember when it took a year or more to get good processes tested and distributed.  Now, it takes only a few nights to get questionable processes distributed so we end users can test them and find they do not work.  Good luck convincing the Feedback Hub that this happens regularly.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-11-18T20:50:08+00:00

    Yes, I have selected "Apply To Folders" every time I try to stop the Grouping.

    Unfortunately, I don't remember which registry key I changed. I have tried to locate the online site I went to for that change, and haven't been able to find it again.

    I am not syncing settings with other Win 10 computers, unless Microsoft has installed that by default. I have two Win 10 Laptops.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-11-18T22:58:41+00:00

    I suspect it is not a bug because it has never gotten fixed.  If it was a bug, it would get fixed. 

    No, it's not a bug. In whatever update this appeared in (1903, I think), The Downloads folder acquired its own FolderType, the registry entries that define the various view defaults. GroupBy Date  is specified in the view settings:

    But like other FolderTypes, Apply to Folders should allow you to specify a per-user customized view for the FolderType.

    If you copy & paste the following code into a PowerShell window,  it will verify what FolderTypes you've set custom views for:

    ################

    (Get-Item 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults').Property |

    %{(Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes$_").CanonicalName}

    ################

    and this will return the number of indexed views. If it is 5000, you've maxed out.

    ################

    ((gp "HKCU:\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU").Nodeslots).count

    ################

    Keith

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-12-04T02:09:04+00:00

    Can Microsoft PLEASE STOP SHOVING THEIR CRAPPY "BEST PRACTISES" DOWN OUR THROATS?!?

    I reset the "group by" in Downloads EVERY BLEEPING TIME. And it constantly resets.  I don't give a bleep whether or not someone thinks this is nice or useful, it DOES NOT WORK FOR ME. I have a particular way of organising my downloads. Please let me set my preferred folder view PERMANENTLY.

    I've tried every "solution" or "workaround" and NONE work. (Windows 1909 atm). Some work for a short while but all of them reset to the bleeping "grouped by" view sooner or later.  It's beyond ridiculous.

    EDIT:

    Ok, editing the registry key mentioned above _might_ (pending reboots and updates) help. Seems to be sticking for now. I deleted the Group* and Primary entries, and changed the SortByList to prop:System.ItemNameDisplay.

    Had to take ownership of the key first since the bleeped-up permissions system in Windows prevented me from editing it even though I'm admin. Seems to have fixed both "Save As" as well as opening in Explorer. YMMV.

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