Sort error

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I've noticed an error in the sorting of files in Windows Explorer. It
appears that after the filename gets to be a certain size, it no longer uses
just the actual sorting of the filename, but starts to consider the size of
the filename.

Example - These files get sorted in this order:

ExtraWork0507.xls
ExtraWork05031.xls
ExtraWork05032.xls
ExtraWork05041.xls
ExtraWork05042.xls
ExtraWork05052-050601.xls

If you change the file "ExtraWork0507.xls" to be named "ExtraWork05071.xls",
it shows after the "ExtraWork05052-050601.xls" file as expected (but maybe if
this bug was consistent, these two would show in the reverse order).

If you change the "ExtraWork05041.xls" file to be named "ExtraWork0504.xls",
it shows above the "ExtraWork0507.xls" file.

Haven't tested enough to see at what file name length this behaviour occurs.
I'll leave it up to Microsoft to do the extensive testing on this, but we
have a couple applications that process the files in a directory, expecting
them to be in alphabetical order, and this may affect others with similar
applications as well.
 
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
 
your mistaken.

0504 shows before 05041 bvecause it is a smaller number. 504 is smaller than
5041.

05071 is larger than 05052 therefore will show after.

your thought process is in error, not explorer's sort function.
 
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