Windows 10: Why does file explorer not use the "Nothing before something rule" when sorting files and...

The "Nothing before something rule" orders shorter words before longer words that start the same way, So, "test" would come before "tested".testtestedIf there is a space involved, any words before the space are grouped by the word before the space which also determines the order of the groups. Each group is then ordered by the word after the space.testtest aftertest againtest nexttest next daytestedtested aftertested againtested nexttested next dayThat's the way any human would expect words to be ordered. Windows File Explorer, however, likes to mix things up a little. It does the "Nothing

:)

 

What are the file name sorting rules ?

>> Is there a place in Microsoft that describes the official file name sorting rules?

Are the rules the same for w10 and w11 ?

Does it make a difference when using One Drive ?

I have used _ and __ as the first characters of file names for years to keep files at the top of a sorted file list in Windows Explorer.

However I recently read a vague reference in Microsoft that says when using One Drive _ might not be a good first letter for a file name. Is that true ?

 

Sorting with File Explorer.

I tried the method that was complicated (3rd option) but fell over in second step as I could not find any "apply to folder button"'.

However, the simple put *.* in search bar, then sort results windows by date does the trick. It is slightly cumbersome as I have to do that each time I am selecting files (to upload to sharepoint) but a lot less hassle than I was having to scroll up and down between sorted file block and sorted folder block.

Many thanks.

M.

 

Sorting with File Explorer.

Hi,
Third answer here looks interesting:
Windows Explorer sorts files and folders separately - Super User

There are ways to do this with XYplorer
e.g.
File folder sorting order... - XYplorer Beta Club

I seem to recall a thread on this topic here before...

Also xplorer2
List alphabetically in Windows Explorer, with folders mixed with files? - Super User