How to Disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Explorer to have Free Sorting

Information
In Windows 7, auto arrange is enabled by default so that all file and folder names in Windows Explorer are sorted alphabetically no matter what folder view you used.

This will show you how to disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 to be able to sort your files and folders in any random order you like in Windows Explorer without it being sorted alphabetically by name. Windows 7 will also remember these random folder sortings, and open as how they were when the window was last closed.

The free sorting is only possible in the Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Details folder views, and not in the List, Extended Tiles, and Content folder views.


EXAMPLE: Auto Arrange Enabled and Disabled
NOTE: Notice in the screenshot with Auto Arrange disabled, the files can be dragged around the Windows Explorer window to sort how you like without having to be in alphabetical order.


OPTION ONE
Disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Windows Explorer
1. Click on the download buttons below one at a time to download these files.
Reset_All_Folders_To_Default_Folder_Views.reg
Disable_Windows_Explorer_Auto_Arrange.reg
2. Click on Save, and save both .reg files on your desktop.

3. Right click on the downloaded "Reset..." .reg file and click on Merge.

4. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

5. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

6. Open the Computer window. (very important to do before continuing to step 7)
NOTE: Open the Start Menu, then click on the Computer button on the dark right side.

7. Right click on the downloaded "Disable..." .reg file and click on Merge.

8. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

9. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg files if you like.




OPTION TWO
Enable (default) Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Windows Explorer
1. Download and merge only the Reset_All_Folders_To_Default_Folder_Views.reg file in step 1 above.

2. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.
That's it,
Shawn



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Attached Thumbnails
Attached Files Reset_All_Folders_To_Default_Folder_Views.reg (350 Bytes) Disable_Windows_Explorer_Auto_Arrange.reg (2.5 KB)