File Order

[Guest]

I have several directories with multiple files whose names are mostly
numbers. XP can't seem to get them in the same order as NT did. For example,
XP can't tell the difference between p00510 and p0510, or between 0378414 and
378414A. It this an undocumented feature?

 

[Galen]

In dpoeling had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

I have several directories with multiple files whose names are mostly
numbers. XP can't seem to get them in the same order as NT did. For
example, XP can't tell the difference between p00510 and p0510, or
between 0378414 and 378414A. It this an undocumented feature?

Well, you're the first one I've seen call it a feature. "It's not a bug,
it's a feature." Mixed alpha-numeric directory listings just don't seem to
cut it. My own personal solution, and likely nothing of value to you but
I'll share it regardless, has been to sort those folders by date where it
made sense to do so. I don't know of a work-around though if I recall
correctly there may be third party tools that will enable you list directory
contents by name a bit better. File management tools in snapfiles.com's
freeware section might have something for you?

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/
http://kgiii.info/

"We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind,
which is always an advantage. We had formed no theories. We were simply
there to observe and to draw inferences from our observations." -
Sherlock Holmes

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Use TweakUI

TweakUI
[+] Explorer
Use intuitive filename sorting

[[If this is checked the Explorer will sort files so that, for e.g. “File 5”
comes before “File 10” because 5 comes before 10. If this is unchecked then
Explorer will use literal sorting, in which case “File 10” will come before
“File 5” because 1 comes before 5. ]]
----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
-----

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx

-----

The Sort Order for Files and Folders Whose Names Contain Numerals Is
Different in Windows XP Than It Is in Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;319827

Windows Explorer Incorrectly Sorts Files and Folders with 10 or
More Consecutive Numerals
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318872

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[John Wunderlich]

I have several directories with multiple files whose names are
mostly numbers. XP can't seem to get them in the same order as NT
did. For example, XP can't tell the difference between p00510 and
p0510, or between 0378414 and 378414A. It this an undocumented
feature?

"The sort order for files and folders whose names contain numerals is
different in Windows XP than it is in Windows 2000"

<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319827/en-us>

HTH,
John