Windows 10: Completely disable file grouping, always, everywhere, in all windows, dialogs, everything!

See here:https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/completely-disable-file-grouping-always-everywhere/ac31a227-f585-4b0a-ab2e-a557828eaec5?page=35Years later, and still no solution. Only gotten worse on Win 11 according to commenters, so apparently I'm lucky I don't have that yet.

:)

 

Completely disable file grouping, always, everywhere, in all windows, dialogs, everything!

File grouping is degrading my productivity. It is constantly getting between me and my work.



What I need to do is prevent Windows from grouping files - EVERYWHERE. Not just in Windows Explorer, but in application file dialogs. That is, file Open and Save dialogs. That is the absolutely last place I ever want to see grouping.



This is seriously a problem for me. My assets are organized alphabetically for a reason. When I have to right-click and choose "Group By > None" every single time I access a folder through an application dialog, it wastes my time, increases my workload, and makes me very cranky.



So please, how can I completely disable file grouping, always, everywhere, in all windows, dialogs, everything?

 

Completely disable file grouping, always, everywhere, in all windows, dialogs, everything!

Hello,

File grouping is degrading my productivity. It is constantly getting between me and my work.

I am aware of the methods to disable file grouping within individual folders. Please do not tell me how to do this, I already know.

I am also aware of the method that is supposed to disable file grouping within folders of a particular type (general, music, photos, etc.)... by setting the Explorer "Options > Apply to Folders". (As an aside, the auto-detection of folder contents often does not work and is a big headache.) Again, please do not tell me how to do this, I already know.

What I need to do is prevent Windows from grouping files -- EVERYWHERE. Not just in Windows Explorer, but in application file dialogs. That is, file Open and Save dialogs. That is the absolutely last place I ever want to see grouping.

This is seriously a problem for me. My assets are organized alphabetically for a reason. When I have to right-click and choose "Group By > None" every single time I access a folder through an application dialog, it wastes my time, increases my workload, and makes me very cranky.

I know that Microsoft has added this feature because they think it is going to save effort and time for their users. That may be true in some cases, but there is no one solution to maximize productivity in all possible use cases.

So please, how can I completely disable file grouping, always, everywhere, in all windows, dialogs, everything?

If this is not currently possible in Windows 10, please make it possible.

Such a simple, basic option can save literally millions of hours of wasted time for a global user base.

Thank you.

 

Completely disable file grouping, always, everywhere, in all windows, dialogs, everything!

Use WinSetView to turn off file grouping globally. It's a free, open source, portable app that lets you choose your preferred File Explorer default views and sets the registry values for you. It does not modify any system files and does not leave anything running (i.e zero overhead).