Please bring back the ability to freely arrange icons within folders "DISABLE AUTO ARRANGE"!

Anonymous
2022-08-13T02:39:26+00:00

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?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-04T00:08:38+00:00

    Yes exactly. I was forced by MS to update awhile back and it disabled/removed the function to disable Auto Arrange (right click mouse). I have no clue why they would do such a stupid thing. But nothing is remembered if you try to move files in any folder where you put them. I constantly lose files when place them where I want them. It is so utterly frustrating that I've been using a Mac OS computer more and more as they allow you to keep files where you want them. Why in the world would any computer NOT let you do this?

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-04T00:02:27+00:00

    Thanks so much for trying. However you can't just minimize every folder on the computer. We need a permanent, like it always had! way to retain file arrangements the way you want them, not pre-forced the way MS does. If you have any new scripts or things to try, please post.

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  3. Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-12-03T22:54:01+00:00

    I still have the website and registry entry for Windows 7 and apparently the website says it works on Windows 10 also. Maybe you have already tried this but I will try it anyways and get back to you. I also have the script.

    As you can see in this tutorial, that registry setting is of little use since Windows 10 1703. As of that update, you can still make the registry change to allow free placement of icons within folders, but the functionality that remembers those positions is gone.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-03T22:49:31+00:00

    Hi Europe:

    So I have tried the script and it works. Just double click the script "disable and it will allow you to untick Auto Arrange function in a folder which will turn it off. Although once you close the folder it will align them back in a row but the Auto Arrange will still be disabled. If you want the files to stay in the place where you moved them then you could just minimize the folder and come back to it when you are ready. Also I advise that once you double click the script, to restart your computer. If you need the script file let me know and I can send it. I saved it back when I was using Windows 7 and I am also a long time technician.

                                                                                                                                                            Karl

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-12-03T22:23:28+00:00

    Hi Europa:

    I still have the website and registry entry for Windows 7 and apparently the website says it works on Windows 10 also. Maybe you have already tried this but I will try it anyways and get back to you. I also have the script.

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