Sort by, Group by, and Arrange by Items in Windows 8 File Explorer

How to Sort, Group, and Arrange Items by a Column in Windows 8 File Explorer

information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to sort, group, and arrange items in a folder or library view by an added column (detail) in ascending or descending order in Windows 8 File Explorer.

You will also see how to only view files and folders with specified details in the currently opened folder or library. This can be handy if you wanted to find or view files and folder with only those specified details in the opened folder or library. See OPTION FOUR below for more details.

Note   Note

  • In Libraries, Sort by, Group by, and Arrange by column changes are applied to all included folders in the library.
  • In File Explorer, Sort by, Group by, and Arrange by column changes are only applied to that specific folder and the specific location it was opened from (ex: shortcut vs File Explorer), and will not be applied to any other folder unless Apply to Folders is used, or it is used to set a default view for all folders.





OPTION ONE

To Set "Sort by" Column View for Items in a Folder or Library in File Explorer


NOTE: This option shows you how to sort items in this view by an added column.
1. In File Explorer, open a folder or library that you want to sort items by a column in, and do step 2 or 3 below.​
2. Click/tap on the View tab, click/tap on Sort by in the Ribbon, select (dot) the detail (ex: Name) you want items to be sorted by, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: If you like, you could click/tap on Choose columns to add more options.​
Sort_by-1.jpg
3. Right click or press and hold on a empty area in the opened folder or library, click/tap on Sort by, select (dot) the detail (ex: Name) you want items to be sorted by, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: If you like, you could click/tap on More to add more options.​
Sort-by-2.jpg
4. To sort items by ascending or descending order, you can do step 4A or 4B below.​
NOTE: Ascending is the default setting.​
A) Click/tap on the column name (ex: Name) on the column bar until the Ascending Ascending.jpg or Descending Descending.jpg icon is set how you want. (see screenshots above)​
B) repeat step 2 or 3 above, and select either Ascending or Descending. (see screenshots above)​

5. If you like, you can also do OPTION TWO, THREE, and/or FOUR below to further arrange items in this view how you like.​






OPTION TWO

To Set "Group by" Column View for Items in a Folder or Library in File Explorer


NOTE: This option shows you how to group items in this view by an added column.
1. In File Explorer, open a folder or library that you want to group items by a column in, and do step 2 or 3 below.​
2. Click/tap on the View tab, click/tap on Group by in the Ribbon, select (dot) the detail (ex: Type) you want items to be grouped by, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: If you like, you could click/tap on Choose columns to add more options. (None) is only available if you have previously set items to be grouped by a column in this view.​
Group-by-1.jpg
3. Right click or press and hold on a empty area in the opened folder or library, click/tap on Group by, select (dot) the detail (ex: Type) you want items to be grouped by, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: If you like, you could click/tap on More to add more options. (None) is only available if you have previously set items to be grouped by a column in this view.​
Group-by-2.jpg
4. To sort items by ascending or descending order, you can do step 4A or 4B below.​
NOTE: Ascending is the default setting.​
A) Click/tap on the column name (ex: Type) on the column bar until the Ascending Ascending.jpg or Descending Descending.jpgicon is set how you want. (see screenshots above)​
B) repeat step 2 or 3 above, and select either Ascending or Descending. (see screenshots above)​
5. If you like, you can also do OPTION ONE, THREE, and/or FOUR to further arrange items in this view how you like.​






OPTION THREE

To Set "Arrange by" Column View for Items in a Library in File Explorer


NOTE: This option shows you how to arrange items in this view by an added column. Arrange by is only available in libraries.
1. In File Explorer, open a library (ex: Pictures) that you want to arrange items by a column in.​
2. Right click or press and hold on a empty area in the opened library, click/tap on Arrange by, and select (dot) the detail (ex: Folder) you want items to be arranged by. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: Clear changes is only available if you have previously made changes to the View, Sort by, or Group by settings. Clear changes will restore the default views of this library.​
Arrange-by.jpg
3. If you like, you can also do OPTION ONE, TWO, and/or FOUR to further arrange items in this view how you like.​






OPTION FOUR

To Only View Items with Specified Details in a Folder or Library in File Explorer


Note   Note
This option shows you how to view only the files and folders with specified details of your choice in the currently opened folder or library.

These view items by details settings in this option will not be remembered after closing the folder or library.


1. In File Explorer, open a folder or library that you want to view only the items with specified details in.​
2. On the column bar, click/tap on the arrow to the right of a selected colum name (ex: Type), and check (add) and/or uncheck (remove) details you want to view only the files and folders that match these details. (see screenshot below).​
Columns-1.jpg
3. If you like, repeat step 2 for any other column you would like to further specify details for.​
4. If you click/tap on another column or a blank area in the opened folder or library, you will notice that any columns with checked details from step 2 above will now have a check mark instead of the default arrow to the right of it to indicate so to help let you know.​
Columns-2.jpg
5. If you like, you can also do OPTION ONE, TWO, and/or THREE above to further arrange items in this view how you like.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

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I tried the "Apply to folders" before the post and it did not work on System32, but I did not search any further to see if some others were not changed.
 

My Computer

System One

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    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 1750
    CPU
    Duo Core 2.5 G HZ

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
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    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
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    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
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    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Alright, I am taking your word for this one...:zip:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 1750
    CPU
    Duo Core 2.5 G HZ
Is that what you did, and it still didn't work for you?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Misled you: I have not checked folders, but I trust your input. BTW: how do you accumulate all this knowledge?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 1750
    CPU
    Duo Core 2.5 G HZ
Year and years of trial and error. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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