This tutorial will show you how to change the sort by view of a folder in File Explorer for your account in Windows 11.
In Windows 11, you can change the sort by view of a folder in File Explorer to have all items in the folder sorted by the name, date, date modified, size, type, and more file detail you want, and have all items in the folder arranged in ascending (alphabetical ) or descending order.
The exact details available for a folder will vary depending on the template the folder is optimized for.
Each separate folder will remember its sort by view as set when last closed.
Home and Gallery in File Explorer do not have the Sort by option available. It is grayed out.
Contents
- Option One: Change Folder Sort by View from File Explorer Command Bar
- Option Two: Change Folder Sort by View from Context Menu
- Option Three: Change Folder Sort by View from Column in Details Layout View
Option One
Change Folder Sort by View from File Explorer Command Bar
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Open the folder you want to change the sort by view of.
3 Click/tap on Sort on the command bar, and click/tap on an available detail (ex: "Name") you want to sort by. (see screenshot below)
The More option is no longer available. To add or remove details to the sort by menu, you will need to temporarily switch to "'Details" view, add the details you want like below, and then switch back to the layout view you want.
Add or Remove Columns for Folder in Windows 11 File Explorer
4 Click/tap on Sort on the command bar, and click/tap on Ascending (default) or Descending for the order you want. (see screenshot below)
Option Two
Change Folder Sort by View from Context Menu
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Open the folder you want to change the sort by view of.
3 Right click or press and hold on an empty area of the folder's background, click/tap on Sort by, and click/tap on an available detail (ex: "Name") you want to sort by. (see screenshot below)
The More option is no longer available. To add or remove details to the sort by menu, you will need to temporarily switch to "'Details" view, add the details you want like below, and then switch back to the layout view you want.
Add or Remove Columns for Folder in Windows 11 File Explorer
4 Right click or press and hold on an empty area of the folder's background, click/tap on Sort by, and click/tap on Ascending (default) or Descending for the order you want. (see screenshot below)
Option Three
Change Folder Sort by View from Column in Details Layout View
This options is only available if the folder layout view is currently set to Details.
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Open the folder you want to change the sort by view of.
3 Click/tap on a column header with the detail (ex: "Name") you want to sort by. (see screenshot below)
To add or remove details, see:
Add or Remove Columns for Folder in Windows 11 File Explorer
4 Click/tap on the same column header with the detail (ex: "Name") you want to sort by to toggle the Ascending (default) or Descending order you want. (see screenshots below)
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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- Increase Folder View Settings Cache Memory Size in Windows 11
- Change Folder Layout View in Windows 11 File Explorer
- Change Folder Group by View in Windows 11 File Explorer
- Change Size of Columns Width for Folder in Windows 11 File Explorer
- Add or Remove Columns for Folder in Windows 11 File Explorer
- Rearrange Columns in File Explorer in Windows 11
- Change Template of Drive, Folder, or Library in Windows 11 File Explorer
- Apply Folder View to All Folders of Same Template Type in Windows 11
- Apply Folder View to All Folders in Windows 11
- Reset Folder View Settings to Default in Windows 11 File Explorer
- Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer in Windows 11
