File sorting issue, XP loss of function found in Win98 - Any Ideas?

[Shawna]

Here is a collection of emails/postings - all wanting the same thing
(Folders and the top then files - with most recent files listed first)
Does anyone know of a solution?
Does anyone know where I might go to get a solution - besides hell?
I'm already there I think.

Thanks,
Shawna


Begin Paste
-------------

I recently changed to XP.

For the order of files in a directory I usually use Details or List
then often sort the file/folder listing into date order with most
recent on top. In 98 this arrangement listed the folders at the
beginning. Thus when I open a folder I immediately see the list of
subfolders (in case I want to go deeper or transfer a recent file to a
folder) followed by recent files in case I want to use one again or
move it to a subfolder. I usually find this arrangement by far the
most convenient.

But, XP puts the folder list on the bottom instead of leaving them at
the top. This is *very* inconvenient.

Is there a way to make XP sort/order file/folder lists like 98 does
it?

jim

-----------


Hi, I have been using Windows XP since it came out. I still miss
Win98 in the following respect:
In many directories, I like to use the "details" view that windows
explorer provides, and set it to show me the most recently modified
files.
Back in Win98, this view combination shows folders first - and then
files. (Most recent folder to least recent folder, then most recent
file to least recent file.)
This way, at a glance, you could see all recently changed files and
all folders without resorting or scrolling down to the end of what may
be a very long list of files.
I loved it that way, it made sense, it was convienient.

In Windows XP, this behavior was changed. Someone decided to make it
harder.

Either you can list:
Files shown first ( most recent file to least recent file), and then
folders (most recent folder to least recent folder).

or

Files first (least recent to most recent), and then folders (least
recent to most recent).

So, my "simple" question is: how can I make Windows XP show folders
first, and then files like Win98?

thanks!


---------------



Ultimately I wish to Arrange the Icons inside my Folders thus:

All concurrently in "details":
1st by: Sub folders (Alphabetically a-z)
2nd by: Links (Alphabetically a-z)
3rd by: Zipped folders (Alphabetically a-z)
4th by: regular files (by Date with newest files at the top)
Then, set that regime to apply to all folders


If that can't be done I would settle for say:
All concurrently in "details":
1st by: Sub folders (Alphabetically a-z)
2nd by: all files (by Date with newest files at the top)
Then, set that regime to apply to all folders


Is any of this possible? I believe this would greatly assist me in
locating my files.

Thanks,

 

[Lemon Jelly]

Shawna - typed:

For the order of files in a directory I usually use Details or List
then often sort the file/folder listing into date order with most
recent on top. In 98 this arrangement listed the folders at the
beginning. Thus when I open a folder I immediately see the list of
subfolders (in case I want to go deeper or transfer a recent file to a
folder) followed by recent files in case I want to use one again or
move it to a subfolder. I usually find this arrangement by far the
most convenient.

But, XP puts the folder list on the bottom instead of leaving them at
the top. This is *very* inconvenient.

Is there a way to make XP sort/order file/folder lists like 98 does
it?

IIRC, XP displays files the same way as Win98 does /except/ alphabetical
order is alpha-numerical rather than by ASCII (which was buggy until
SP1). This can be changed back to preXP with a simple reg file merge.

If I set files & folders to ascending order as you have done, the
folders will appear last rather than 1st & will be reversed if I change
to the default descending order. Try merging the attached reg file (from
Kelly) to see if it makes any difference but I don't think it will
change the position of folders at all.

If there's a fix, I'll be the 2nd to apply it, I would also prefer if
Explorer knew the difference between file & folder shortcuts then list
the folder ones in with the folders rather than spread out in the files.
I get around this by adding a "!" to the beginning of the folder
shortcut name.

 

[Shawna]

Shawna - typed:

For the order of files in a directory I usually use Details or List
then often sort the file/folder listing into date order with most
recent on top. In 98 this arrangement listed the folders at the
beginning. Thus when I open a folder I immediately see the list of
subfolders (in case I want to go deeper or transfer a recent file to a
folder) followed by recent files in case I want to use one again or
move it to a subfolder. I usually find this arrangement by far the
most convenient.

But, XP puts the folder list on the bottom instead of leaving them at
the top. This is *very* inconvenient.

Is there a way to make XP sort/order file/folder lists like 98 does
it?

IIRC, XP displays files the same way as Win98 does /except/ alphabetical
order is alpha-numerical rather than by ASCII (which was buggy until
SP1). This can be changed back to preXP with a simple reg file merge.

If I set files & folders to ascending order as you have done, the
folders will appear last rather than 1st & will be reversed if I change
to the default descending order. Try merging the attached reg file (from
Kelly) to see if it makes any difference but I don't think it will
change the position of folders at all.

If there's a fix, I'll be the 2nd to apply it, I would also prefer if
Explorer knew the difference between file & folder shortcuts then list
the folder ones in with the folders rather than spread out in the files.
I get around this by adding a "!" to the beginning of the folder
shortcut name.
--
Paul


begin 666 preXP sortorder.reg
M5VEN9&]W<R!296=I<W1R>2!%9&ET;W(@5F5R<VEO;B U+C P#0H-"EM(2T59
M7TQ/0T%,7TU!0TA)3D5<4V]F='=A<F5<36EC<F]S;V9T7%=I;F1O=W-<0W5R
M<F5N='9E<G-I;VY<4&]L:6-I97-<17AP;&]R97)<70T*(DYO4W1R0VUP3&]G
::6-A;"(]9'=O<F0Z,# P,# P,#$-"@T*#0H`
`
end

Hi Paul,
This great. I found a kindred sprit. However, this reg file you
sent, how can I descramble and apply it? Thanks.
Shawna

 

[Shawna]

Hi Paul,
Ok, I tried it. I figured out how to decode the reg file and I merged
it. I don't know what that did though. Is it something to do with
sorting by "alpha-numerical rather than by ASCII"? Oh well, I'm
willing to try anything. Thanks for the suggestion. Now how do I
undo the reg file?

While I would also like it if "Explorer knew the difference between
file & folder shortcuts". Right now I am trying to keep it simple.
If I ask for too much I may get nothing. Besides it complicates the
request and makes the most important part (to me) obscure.

Here is the difference between win98 and XP that has driven me nuts
since XP's launch.

-------
In "details" display, click the column header "Date Modified". When
the files are listed from newest to oldest:

In Win98 the folders are at the TOP.

In WinXP the folders are at the BOTTOM.
-------

Window 98 does it exactly the opposite of Windows XP.

We shouldn't have to search around each folder just to see both the
folders and the most recent files. Both should appear when we simply
open the folder. Win98 worked well.

Again Win98 makes sense and worked well. WinXP makes you click around
to see what win98 just simply always showed just by opening the folder
once the folder view setting were set.

I fully expected this to be resolved in SP1 – nope:

Thanks again,
Shawna

 

[Lemon Jelly]

Shawna - typed:

Hi Paul,
Ok, I tried it. I figured out how to decode the reg file and I merged
it. I don't know what that did though. Is it something to do with
sorting by "alpha-numerical rather than by ASCII"? Oh well, I'm
willing to try anything. Thanks for the suggestion. Now how do I
undo the reg file?

Merge the attached reg file that replaces 1 with 0 in the string or
delete (with care) the same string:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Ex
plorer\NoStrCmpLogical using Regedit.

I guess we're stuck with folder placement the way it is, not even sure
if it's a bug or feature under XP if Win9x/Me is different.

 

[Shawna]

On the advice of some wise poster, I put up a web page with screen
shots to better explain the problem.
<a href="http://321.0catch.com/Screenshots.htm">http://321.0catch.com/Screenshots.htm</a>
Please check it out.

Shawna - typed:

Hi Paul,
Ok, I tried it. I figured out how to decode the reg file and I merged
it. I don't know what that did though. Is it something to do with
sorting by "alpha-numerical rather than by ASCII"? Oh well, I'm
willing to try anything. Thanks for the suggestion. Now how do I
undo the reg file?

Merge the attached reg file that replaces 1 with 0 in the string or
delete (with care) the same string:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Ex
plorer\NoStrCmpLogical using Regedit.

I guess we're stuck with folder placement the way it is, not even sure
if it's a bug or feature under XP if Win9x/Me is different.
--
Paul


begin 666 DefaultXP sortorder.reg
M5VEN9&]W<R!296=I<W1R>2!%9&ET;W(@5F5R<VEO;B U+C P#0H-"EM(2T59
M7TQ/0T%,7TU!0TA)3D5<4V]F='=A<F5<36EC<F]S;V9T7%=I;F1O=W-<0W5R
M<F5N='9E<G-I;VY<4&]L:6-I97-<17AP;&]R97)<70T*(DYO4W1R0VUP3&]G
::6-A;"(]9'=O<F0Z,# P,# P,# -"@T*#0H`
`
end

 

[Lemon Jelly]

Shawna - typed:

On the advice of some wise poster, I put up a web page with screen
shots to better explain the problem.
<a

href="http://321.0catch.com/Screenshots.htm">http://321.0catch.com/Scree

Please check it out.

Screenshot 2 looks correct to me but 3 looks wrong in that it also moves
the position of the folders to the end, away from most recent files. I
presume that W98 keeps the files at the top whatever the date order.

 

[Shawna]

Thank you for your observations. I see what you're saying. I made
some changes to the page to try to clarify my perspective.
btw - I like your name.
Shawna -

 

[Lemon Jelly]

Shawna - typed:

Thank you for your observations. I see what you're saying. I made
some changes to the page to try to clarify my perspective.
btw - I like your name.
Shawna -

Shawna, to clarify beyond doubt, also include a screenshot of W98 with
the date order reversed so people can compare 2 shots of XP against 2
shots of W98, this will help others to see the problem. All the
sub-folders in your screenshots have the same time & date so partially
mask the issue because they will revert to alphabetical order.

Rick is an MS sponsored MVP who, like many others, regularly helps
people on a voluntary basis & is asking you to keep to one thread on the
subject so any further replies from me will be elsewhere. Others prefer
posters to try to keep to one news group per post, though I'm far more
relaxed about X posting than I used to be but 3's quite enough! NGs are
a huge technical resource & following most of the conventions assists in
obtaining quality answers. I frequent some NGs where I get splattered in
other people's blood just from reading flame wars over someone top
posting - the novelty wears off rather quickly. My usual mistake is to
over-estimate understanding of my sense of humour & not be taken at face
value Your link is spraying visitor's browsers with unwelcome popups
by the way.

Lemon Jelly is taken from the English dance band of the same name