Windows Explorer on Windows 7 tries to be intelligent and offers to group the contents of a directory according to certain parameters. A lot of times when it cannot do this, it lumps them in a group named Unspecified. I find this grouping affair very irritating, especially when selecting files using the keyboard.
To turn off Group By completely:
- Open any directory in Windows Explorer.
- Right-click and choose Group by → (None)
- Press the Alt key, so that the Explorer menu bar appears and choose Tools → Folder Options.
- Go to the View tab and click Apply to Folders. This will apply the Group By setting to all folders.
Doesn’t seem to work for file->open dialogs. Anyone have a solution that works there, too?
Dear Ashwin Nanjappa,
it worked on my Windows 7.
Thank you very much!
Nick M
I’ve been going nuts trying to figure this one out —
Thanks for the quick fix
THANK YOU! those groups drove me nuts
What a god damned anoyying fuckup – i mean feature.
does NOT work for Optical or ANY removable drives (CD/DVD/BD, USBflash, and so on )
Your solution is as obvious as boiling an egg, I dont thank for these banalities newbies consider “helpful”.
If you didn’t figure out clicking “Apply to Folder” button before this soltuion posted, you’re a frigging 16 year old or housewife.
For us powerusers – solution for Fixed Drives is in Registry, and I am too lazy to uncover it from my records, but it is real, not half-a** “Apply to all Folders”
But solution for Removable Drives e.g. CD/DVD/BDdrive we don’t know yet – it always shows “Group By” turned on, thank you Microsfot for DEGRADING, DEVOLVING what was known as WindowsXP into a marketing gimmick known as Vista and its ServicezPak known as Windows7.
FodlersViews remain f*d up.
I am an EE Engineer and been doing computers longer than many of you’ve been alive.
The way you think, the way you write – you’re related to him, aren’t you? LOL
-and I’m a Network Engineer with an MSc(IT) and an MBA, etc; shall we compare penis sizes next? LMAO!
Dude, give some valuable info or just keep jerking with the beer bottle. Don’t waste others time. We all know that you know hot to talk volumes of nonsense.
Stupid bastard. Wasted my time. EE engineer. ape shit.
And somewhat of an angry fag too I see!
I’m an electrical engineer too, but at least I’m not an asshole.
This didn’t work for me. On the far left of Windows explorer, I hit Organize > Properties
Then Customize Tab, then selected “Optimize this folder for: Documents”. Bang fixed.
Hey Mark, I am a housewife and have been doing computers for 22 years. I am so glad that at least I can spell. I gave birth to kids that can out type, out game and out diagnosis you any day. Live long and prosper.
@Ann Runner Way to go! You have been ‘doing computers’ while your kids excel at ‘out diagnosis’? I must say those 22 years were well spent. Birth some more kids. Your superior intelligence and DNA must be preserved for the good of humanity.
What worked for me in Windows 7 – Right mouse the USB drive – select properties – select customise tab – optimise this folder for documents – save
Hi,
Just to give a friendly TIP instead of screaming it out and fight over it, here it is:
Because I just had this problem on an USB stick, left click on the “Removable Disk” in your Windows Explorer so that it shows the contents, press the ALT key to pop up the menu; go to “View” –> “Group by” and select None… Worked on everyhting for me..
Regards,
Koen