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
    2019-07-25T04:59:30+00:00

    You might also want to change the CSS in this forum so replies don't run into original posts.

    This is just plain stoopid! Yup, I spelled "stupid" wrong to emphasize it because it's a PITA. I have been using computers for 30 years, and I already have a very organized way to save things that I download. I organize them by what type of download it is, not what the EFFING date I downloaded it. I mean come on! Say you have a folder c:\downloads\authoring\wordpress\plugins and you want to save something there.  Well, gee, the last time I saved a plugin was like three months ago, so I have to look through all the "Earlier this year" and they're not even in EFFING alphabetical ORDER.  For Christ's sake, I have 33 folders off the root of Downloads and 919 folders in total.  Please stop fixing things that aren't broken!

    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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  2. 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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  3. Anonymous
    2019-11-03T07:16:13+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.

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-07-15T12:31:44+00:00

    I have a same problem, but your solution is not working. Maybe because I change the Download folder from default but I have no menu on the top at all on the save as or open as dialog.

    This is a google chrome current website save as dialog in windows 10 , hungarian language , after the last update.

    The system download folder target is moved to e:/Downloads I have no problem before the update with the same folder.

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