Windows 10: Windows 11 sort by date updated shows folders always at top

In Windows 10, when I sorted a folder by date updated to show the most recently updated files at the top, it would always show the recent files at top and then at the bottom show all of the folders. If I sorted it the reverse way it would do folders at top and files on bottom.In Windows 11 when I perform the same search, no matter if I do date ascending or descending on date modified, it always shows folders at the top.Is there any way to make it sort with the folders at the bottom and the files at the top? I'm sick of scrolling when I just need to grab the most recent files in a large folder

:)

 

Sort by 'Date Modified' but keep folders at the top?

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that after recent update when you sort the files by Date Modified, the folders are listed at the bottom. We would like to know which update was installed on the computer, to check go to
Start >> Settings >> Update & Security >> Windows Update >> View update history.



However, you can go ahead and try the following steps and see if that helps in listing the folders at top:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the location where your files are stored.
   
2. Sort files by Date Modified (Recent files first).
   
3. Hold Shift key and click on the
   Name column. This will bring folders at the top with files sorted with Date Modified.
   

Let us know the results.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Sort files by date with folders on top

Until recently, when I used File Explorer, the folder list was always at the top! If I want to sort everything inside a folder by name ascending, it put the folders on top (by name ascending) then files next (by name ascending). If I want to sort everything
inside a folder by name descending, it put the folders on top (by name descending) then files next (by name descending). That way you can get to the folders easily. Perfect!

Now, however, it works normal when I sort by name ascending, but when I sort by name descending, it turns the list completely upside down! The files are on top by name descending, then the folders are on BOTTOM by name descending! I want the folders to always
come on top like they used to do.

What changed? How can I fix it?

Thanks!

Tina

 

Sort files by date with folders on top

Option 1: Sort by "Date" column, instead of "Date Modified". If "Date" is missing, add it by right-clicking column header and click More...

Option 2: Sort by "Date Modified" and then do a secondary sort by Name holding the SHIFT key.

[Source] How to sort by most recent with folders on top? - Microsoft Community: Redirecting

This behavior is the same in Windows 7 as well.