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I just want to "disable" confounding Auto Arrange files within folders in Windows 10. I can't understand that when you leave file/folder icons in the position and order that you want and then Windows decides to mix them up. I'm continually wasting time trying to find lost data. It's ridiculous. Does anyone know or can create something that just allows you to arrange or sort files within folders, and Leave them alone, without the OS messing them up?
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I always make a backup of the registry before I change anything, so you can always go back to an earlier version.
Run regedit, File in the top menu, then 'Export', save the file in a place on the hard drive you can remember. If problems occur, you do exactly the same, you just choose import instead of export. :-) Save registry backup
Most valuable information. I will have to try to figure out how to "undo" the registry program if there is a problem that occurs. I don't know how to do that yet.
Thanks so much! If I get the thing to work and I figure out the images issue you are having I'll certainly share it with you. Can't stop being astonished that Windows makes is so hard to get a fundamental function back to work again, after it already had it!
Windows 10 Home, Version 22H2, Build 19045.2130, Windows Feature Experience pack 120.2212.4180.0
It works for Folders (old, and newly created) on the desktop, and anywhere else in the folder structure, some times I have to change the folder type from one setting to another to get I to work, but only once per. folder. Folders set to images, oddly enough sometimes it works but other times it doesn't.
Thanks for input. However does your computer have the latest Windows software? My computer has version 21H2, OS build19044.2006, Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4180.0 which made the registry program to disable auto arrange not work (seems the older Windows 10 1703 broke this) It works in earlier even windows 10 versions. Also, does your registry program work for ALL new folders and files you create, or does it only work for just 3 folders on your entire computer (general, documents, and videos) Just 3 folders to keep your files in the order you want is not nearly enough for me. I need every file and folder to stay the same as you left them. Will the program you have do that? (excluding the images you said for some reason doesn't work)
Yes, If someone could extract the XP code that had the right click toggle for auto arrange on or off that would be the ideal solution. (or remove the code that stops this now!) I'd gladly pay for that! And I know many more would too.
FYI, I just tested the feature and it still works, just not if a folder is formatted for 'images'.
But you are right, it would be nice if Microsoft would listen to the users and reintroduce the option to turn auto arrange on or off.
It should be very simple that the function worked in Windows XP.
Maybe the solution could be to take the solution from XP and insert the same values in the registry?