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Why aren't my WinXP directory files sorted in alphabetical order?

Somehow in windows XP my files are no longer in alphabetical order when I go to browse them in Explorer. I have found a way to reorganize them within Explorer but when I go to a program for example Adobe Photoshop and select my folder and then browse to find the file I want to open they are all jumbled and none of them are listed alphabetically. I have alot of files in my projects folder and it makes it a pain to have to scan all of them to find the one I want instead of just jumping to the C's, or the R's, etc. Is there a way to fix this??

Dave's Answer:

When I read your question I knew exactly what was wrong, but it's a bit tricky to show you how to fix it. The problem is that somehow you have the specified folder or directory in Windows being sorted or organized by a criterion other than the name of the file.

Here's an example of a folder in Microsoft Windows XP where you can see I have the same problem you're talking about: the files aren't in alphabetical order, making it difficult to work with the folder:

Windows XP: Directory listing not in alphabetical order

To fix the problem, we need to click on View and choose "Detail View", which then changes us from the pretty thumbnail images to a text-only display:

Windows XP: Directory listing not in alphabetical order: detail view

Again, you can see that the names aren't alphabetized, but if you look carefully for the grey triangle you'll see that it's adjacent to the "Date Modified" column title, which tells you what's going on: the files are in fact sorted from least recently modified to most recently modified (that's the triangle pointing down). Click on "Date Modified" again and the files will be shown most recent to least recent and the triangle will be pointing upward.

More importantly, if you click on "Name" instead, you'll find that the files will all be sorted by name, alphabetized, and suddenly you'll be seeing a listing like you seek:

Windows XP: Directory listing in alphabetical order

Almost done. Now go back to the View menu and again choose "Thumbnail" and you'll get back to the view you seek, with the files finally in alphabetical order:

Not the easiest solution in the world, but it'll work for you! Good luck.

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Categorized: Windows Help (Article 7262)
Tagged: alphabetical, detail view, sorted, windows xp, winxp
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Comments

Can't you just use the menu choice "View / Arrange icons by / Name" instead?

Posted by: Ken at April 2, 2007 9:13 AM

It sounds like he is actually wanting them sorted from within a programs 'File -> Open' window.
He was able to fix it within explorer.

Ive seen this window become unorganized in the past and to fix it is the same way.
Using Photoshop as the example, when you click File -> Open, there will be a "View" icon at the top of the Open dialog (next to the New Folder icon)

Clicking that will allow you to select Details.
Now, once details is selected you have the column headers to click on, including 'Name' for alphabetical sort, or any other header you like.

Posted by: Alan at April 2, 2007 10:49 AM

RRGH!!! I had this problem for sooooo long. Thank you VERY MUCH for posting this so I could FINALLY fix it!

Posted by: Tim at July 14, 2007 5:18 PM

okay, now please tells us how to fix it so that the list comes up alphabetically every time. If you open or save hundreds of files a day going to details every time wastes a whole bunch of time.

Posted by: john at October 18, 2007 11:27 PM

Click "My Computer"
Open a folder that has a view type you like or adjust it to your liking
Click "Tools"
Open "Folder Options"
activate "Remember each folder's view settings"
click "Apply to all folders"
Done

Posted by: Paolo at November 16, 2007 11:14 AM

thank you so %&/$&%& much john man!

Posted by: brero at November 21, 2007 10:56 PM

thanks john ! :)

Posted by: kim at January 26, 2008 6:27 PM

Now, why does this mean all my thumbnails disappear? Arrggghhh.

Posted by: glub at March 9, 2008 12:57 PM

PS - didn't actually work, anyway. Just blew all my other settings out.

Posted by: glub at March 9, 2008 1:01 PM

You misread his question Dave. I have the same problem that he does and it's not fixed by sorting alphabetically in Explorer. The problem is when you're trying to browse the files and folders inside another application. I have this problem as well and I'm still trying to find a fix.

Posted by: Michael at March 22, 2008 11:24 AM

Oops, my bad. You did have the solution, but it just wasn't described the best. Your screen shots are from Windows Explorer, which isn't where the problem was. I just had to to through those steps in the "browse" dialog and it solved the problem.

Posted by: Michael at March 22, 2008 11:29 AM

I tried this, but when i exit the browse part, and click it again, the folders ae back to z-a, instead of a-z (alphabetically) any idea what i can do?

Posted by: Briana at March 23, 2008 2:00 PM

Im right ther with you guys: In Photoshop I have to go to details and arrange by name each time to get my files to appear alphabetically. I have tried everything listed on this board with no luck. I have also tried altering my preferences (Edit->Preferences)and messed with some of those settings with no luck. I run 2 versions of PS (CS and CS2) on my computer and they both do it! Help!

Posted by: JASON at April 2, 2008 10:07 PM

the solution:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;229070

Posted by: bob at April 10, 2008 1:35 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...

I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!