How to make folders appear in alphabetical order?

[yalamo]

This is a problem that has bugged me for a long time: any time I want to save a file, in any application EXCEPT Word and Excel, the list of folders in the "Save as.." window is in chronological order instead of alphabetical order. I can always make the order alphabetical by right clicking in the window, and then clicking on "Arrange Icons by > Name."

This isn't much help however, since when I close the application and open it again, the list will appear in chronological order again (newest folder created will appear first).

How do I get the folders to appear in alphabetical order?

 

[markdmac]

Open the folder and do a arrange by name. Then hold down the left shift key while double clicking in the upper left corner of the Window to close the Window. It will save the preference.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[linney]

See if there is anything relevant here?

File..Open/Save Dialogs shows reverse order, help!
thread779-931774

Open Dialog default to details
thread779-1095519

 

[yalamo]

Thanks for the quick responses, but they don't work.

markdmac, I tried it, but unfortunately, double clicking on the upper left corner of the window does not close it; clicking the "X" in the upper right corner does. I tried pressing left and right shifts (after arranging by name) while closing the window. The folders came up chronologically when I reopened the "Save As" window.

linney, it seems to me that the thread you linked to is concerned with Windows Explorer. The folders in Explorer will open in the order I set for them the last time I used them, so I have no problem there. It's just the order in the "Save As" window for applications that is the problem.

 

[markdmac]

I misunderstood your need as my directions were for Windows Explorer.

A defrag may help in reordering your files but I'm not certain in this case.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[yalamo]

markdmac, that's OK. This problem is a longtime annoyance for me.

I do a defrag about once a month, and the problem has been with me ever since I got this PC, so I know a defrag doesn't help.

It's not a terrible problem, just very annoying that I can't fix it.

 

[linney]

I have seen it suggested that the Shellstate value in this registry key may have some bearing on the matter but I can't find any further information concerning this.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer @ShellState

Humor me a bit further and check that registry value on any machine that doesn't have this problem and compare it with your user on your machine which does have the problem.

Incidentally have you this problem if you use Safe Mode, or in Normal Mode but with a different user?


For what it is worth my value for Shellstate is -

"ShellState"=hex:24,00,00,00,30,28,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\01,00,00,00,0d,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00

 

[yalamo]

linney, OK
I looked at the registry key, and where yours has "00,30,28,00" mine has "00,33,a8,00". I also looked at someone else's registry key (you have no idea of the looks I get when I sidle up to someone and say "Can I see your registry keys?") and that seems to be the same as yours.

So what do I do now? I'm very reluctant to start changing registry keys directly (I've never done it before, and microsoft makes it sound as if I'll be banished to a purgatory where only DOS is allowed if I try.

 

[linney]

When you're in Hell, Purgatory is the lesser of two evils (is that a pun?). Mind you what comes next in my post may seem a bit like Hell too.


Launch RegEdit and use the Help program as it is your best source of information about RegEdit.
These following links take the subject a bit further too.

310516 - How To Add, Modify, or Delete Registry Subkeys and Values by Using a Registration Entries (.reg) File

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310516&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310426 - How To Use the Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Registry Editor Features

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310426&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

I remember the first time I looked at the Registry and how daunting it all seemed, but with time and plenty of safety nets (see below) it soon becomes as familiar as using Explorer.

If you change a key or value, use the Export function to save a copy of any key prior to your change. You just right-click on the highlighted key to find Export.

To backup the whole Registry for easy re-installation (even from other operating systems or DOS) I recommend this free program.

Registry Backup and Restore for Windows NT/2000/XP

http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

PS. Remember the value you are looking at is a Binary Value, this may represent problems when entering the value, so be careful.

You certainly don't want to import the whole Shellstate parent key, called Explorer, (which is about 7mb in size and might be dangerous), from any other computer.

You could refer to those earlier links I gave which mention just deleting the values and letting Windows reset them.

 

[yalamo]

Linney, thanks.

I am going to try your suggestion, but not right away. I'm going to wait for the weekend when I have more time available.

I'll let you know what happens.