Viewing order of files is reversed.

Zatff · 09-01-2006, 02:17 PM

When I download a file the windows explorer window opens to select location of where to save the download I noticed that the viewing order is in reverse alphabetical order z-A. It goes back to A-Z when I click on the view icons by name, but then reverses again the next time I view it. I have tried to save the setting for view order several times but it keeps coming up reversed. What am I missing? The first few windows seem in right order A-Z until I get to window for My Documents.

**OldGrayGary** · 09-03-2006, 01:37 AM

Hi Zatff

Try starting Windows Explorer, and go to the Tools menu, then to Folder Options, then to the View tab, and make sure that the item "Remember each folder's view settings" has a checkmark in the box in front of it. Then navigate to your My Documents folder, and if it is displaying the names in the Z to A order, click on the "Names" column to switch the display to A to Z. Then --- while the "My Documents" folder is still the selected folder ---close Windows Explorer the old-fashioned way: click in the far upper left-hand corner & select Exit from the drop-down menu. It seems to help save the view settings.

See if that does it.
. . . Gary

**Bill_Castner** · 09-03-2006, 07:12 AM

Why do I think you do not have Service Pack 2 installed?

Service Pack 2 adjusts the folder customization limit to 5,000 folders from its previous setting in XP of 400. You can make this change manually in older XP versions, the registry changes are explained here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=813711

After making this change click the Folder Options selectiion to reset all folders to their defaults. (Your old settings are not going to be preserved if you make the registry changes). Reboot and start your folder customization again.

Zatff · 09-05-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGrayGary

Hi Zatff

Try starting Windows Explorer, and go to the Tools menu, then to Folder Options, then to the View tab, and make sure that the item "Remember each folder's view settings" has a checkmark in the box in front of it. Then navigate to your My Documents folder, and if it is displaying the names in the Z to A order, click on the "Names" column to switch the display to A to Z. Then --- while the "My Documents" folder is still the selected folder ---close Windows Explorer the old-fashioned way: click in the far upper left-hand corner & select Exit from the drop-down menu. It seems to help save the view settings.

See if that does it.
. . . Gary

When I start with my documents and click through the windows everything is in A-Z order. When I click on save a file I am downloading off the internet the file order is z-a as soon as window opens to list options for where to save the file. If I right click on this window and select arrange by name it will promptly go to a-z file order, but when I leave the window even if to click up a level and come back to that window, the file order is back to z-a. Everything else works fine but this little quirk puzzles me. it just seems there should be a option somewher to save or change these settings. I am running Sp2 and have some updates that list as sp3. Windows update page says all my crucial updates are installed.

**Bill_Castner** · 09-05-2006, 06:10 PM

sp3 are hotfixes that are post-Service Pack 2.

Open the folder and sort as you like.
Close the folder a special way: Alt+Shift+mouse click on red X at top right.

Zatff · 09-05-2006, 07:47 PM

I tried it three times but files still keep coming up in reverse order. Do I need to reboot for it to work?

**Bill_Castner** · 09-06-2006, 03:26 AM

Perhaps the first step is not being taken. On the column header bar in Explorer click on the word "Name"; by repeated clicking you can see that the files will be sorted in descending or ascending alphabetic order. When the order is as you wish, use the keystroke sequence I mentioned earlier.

**nickster_uk** · 09-06-2006, 03:36 AM

Hi there...

you could try Doug Knox's Shell State registry fix...I had a similar problem a while back and it fixed it.

I have attached it to this post incase you want to try it. Just unzip it, merge it with your registry and reboot.

Hope it helps :)

THRobinson · 08-08-2008, 07:14 PM

Just wanted to say I had the exact same problem as he did. I just now downloaded that reg file from the previous post, applied it, reopened FireFox, and works fine.

Assuming it was similar anyway... for me, folders were fine except the music folder, and when in IE/FireFox, if I right click say a jpg and went to save it, the Save As window was always in reverse order.

Again, ran the reg file and fixed it fine.

jackacon · 09-27-2008, 04:07 PM

Hey there, I found the thread via a google search, I've been having the same problem!
The solution I found is that you need to put the folder into the order you want, then CTRL click the close button, similar to what Bill_Castner said

09-01-2006, 02:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Zatff Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 16 OS: Win 98, XP, Linux	Viewing order of files is reversed. When I download a file the windows explorer window opens to select location of where to save the download I noticed that the viewing order is in reverse alphabetical order z-A. It goes back to A-Z when I click on the view icons by name, but then reverses again the next time I view it. I have tried to save the setting for view order several times but it keeps coming up reversed. What am I missing? The first few windows seem in right order A-Z until I get to window for My Documents.

09-03-2006, 07:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bill_Castner Users Helping Users Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,029 OS: XP SP2 Vista Win2k	Why do I think you do not have Service Pack 2 installed? Service Pack 2 adjusts the folder customization limit to 5,000 folders from its previous setting in XP of 400. You can make this change manually in older XP versions, the registry changes are explained here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=813711 After making this change click the Folder Options selectiion to reset all folders to their defaults. (Your old settings are not going to be preserved if you make the registry changes). Reboot and start your folder customization again. __________________ MS-MVP Windows Networking VSOP AUMHA Forums MVM BroadbandReports / DSLR MVP Tek-Tips

09-05-2006, 06:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bill_Castner Users Helping Users Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,029 OS: XP SP2 Vista Win2k	sp3 are hotfixes that are post-Service Pack 2. Open the folder and sort as you like. Close the folder a special way: Alt+Shift+mouse click on red X at top right. __________________ MS-MVP Windows Networking VSOP AUMHA Forums MVM BroadbandReports / DSLR MVP Tek-Tips

09-05-2006, 07:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zatff Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 16 OS: Win 98, XP, Linux	Tried it, stil come z-a order I tried it three times but files still keep coming up in reverse order. Do I need to reboot for it to work?

09-06-2006, 03:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bill_Castner Users Helping Users Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,029 OS: XP SP2 Vista Win2k	Perhaps the first step is not being taken. On the column header bar in Explorer click on the word "Name"; by repeated clicking you can see that the files will be sorted in descending or ascending alphabetic order. When the order is as you wish, use the keystroke sequence I mentioned earlier. __________________ MS-MVP Windows Networking VSOP AUMHA Forums MVM BroadbandReports / DSLR MVP Tek-Tips

09-03-2006, 01:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,381 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Hi Zatff Try starting Windows Explorer, and go to the Tools menu, then to Folder Options, then to the View tab, and make sure that the item "Remember each folder's view settings" has a checkmark in the box in front of it. Then navigate to your My Documents folder, and if it is displaying the names in the Z to A order, click on the "Names" column to switch the display to A to Z. Then --- while the "My Documents" folder is still the selected folder ---close Windows Explorer the old-fashioned way: click in the far upper left-hand corner & select Exit from the drop-down menu. It seems to help save the view settings. See if that does it. . . . Gary

08-08-2008, 07:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
THRobinson Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1 OS: WinXP SP3 / OSX 10.4.11	Re: Viewing order of files is reversed. Just wanted to say I had the exact same problem as he did. I just now downloaded that reg file from the previous post, applied it, reopened FireFox, and works fine. Assuming it was similar anyway... for me, folders were fine except the music folder, and when in IE/FireFox, if I right click say a jpg and went to save it, the Save As window was always in reverse order. Again, ran the reg file and fixed it fine.

09-27-2008, 04:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
jackacon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 3 OS: XP SP3	Re: Viewing order of files is reversed. Hey there, I found the thread via a google search, I've been having the same problem! The solution I found is that you need to put the folder into the order you want, then CTRL click the close button, similar to what Bill_Castner said