Windows 10: Win 11 File explorer: How to really sort by modified date no grouping?

Hello,using windows 11, Microsoft Windows 11 24H2, build [Version 10.0.26100.3775].File explorer. Repro: 1. Start file explorer to view e g desktop: win-r, C: 2. Ensure settings are correct: ensure view ribbon tab is visible: ensure nothing is selected in group by, ensure sort by is set to "Date Modified", descending.Expected: Files in desktop directory are shown sorted by Date Modified. Actual: Files in desktop directory are shown in some sort of groupings*, then within those, they are sorted by Date Modified.* First I reflexively thought it was by file type, but its not. It was unclear to me

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Stop File Explorer in Windows 11 from defaulting to Group by Date Modified

I know this is a well-known problem as there are many comments in Feedback Hub and other forums. I'll describe it here briefly for clarity.

Windows 11 File Explorer continuously defaults back to Group by Date Modified. I have made several attempts to set my view in File Explorer to list items in alphabetical order with no grouping of any kind. But if I close File Explorer then reopen it, its contents are listed back in Group by Date Modified. If I set the view to alphabetical, then click on the Options/Folder Options/View "Apply to Folders" button, the list instantly goes back to Group by Date Modified.

Attempted solutions:

Edit the registry key for "Download" folder view:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{885a186e-a440-4ada-812b-db871b942259}\TopViews\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

I do not have proper credentials as Regedit will not let me change anything.

I was attempting to set the GroupBy key to a blank string using double quotes. I also had information suggesting I try inserting "System.ItemNameDisplay" in GroupBy and/or PrimaryProperty and/or SortByList keys. But even after taking ownership of the key, I could not edit.

Anyone have information that I can use?

Sure would be fantastic if someone has actually found a way to fix this.

Many thanks in advance.

 

Sort files AND folders by "Date Modified" in File Explorer

Hello,

Is there a way to sort folders and individual files by "Date Modified" together? Right now, when I sort by "Date Modified," folders are automatically put at the bottom below files, even if they have been modified more recently than a file. When I'm quickly
scanning a list, this is very distracting. How can I fix this?

 

folder sorting by date modified

Hi wingocustom

Open the downloads folder in File Explorer

On the View Tab, choose Group By - None

Then set the view to Details and click on the Date Modified to toggle the sort by date modified ascending or descending . . .