Disable File Grouping for Maximum Productivity

Disable File Grouping in Windows 10/11 for Maximum Productivity

Many Windows users find the automatic file grouping feature counterproductive. While the intent behind grouping files by date, name, type or other attributes aims to help organize content, for some it actually hinders productivity. If you wish to disable file grouping on Windows 10 or 11, either for specific folders or globally across the system, here’s how to do it.

Why Disable File Grouping?

We all organize content differently based on personal preference and workflow. Some users specifically curate folders to have files sorted alphabetically or based on project. For them, having Windows automatically group items together defeats the purpose of their carefully constructed system.

Others simple find it distracting and annoying to have files grouped differently every time they access a folder. They prefer consistency in how things are arranged. Dealing with constantly changing layouts reduces efficiency and creates unnecessary frustration.

How to organize files in Windows 11?

Windows 11/10 File Explorer also has a feature to group files in a particular folder. Using this feature, you can better manage and organize your files. You can sort files and folders in a particular folder by name, date modified, type, size, date created, authors, tags, etc. Open File Explorer.

How to disable file grouping in Windows 10?

After following the steps in the first method, hit the following key combinations in the given order to open Folder Options: Under the section of Apply to Folders. It will disable file grouping on all folders on that computer listed in File Explorer. : You can also use to tweak Windows File Explorer UI.

Many also run into the issue of file grouping remaining enabled in folder windows accessed through Open/Save dialog boxes in applications. Even if grouping has been disabled for that folder in File Explorer, it gets re-enabled when the dialog pops up. This inconsistent behavior further hampers productivity.

How to Disable File Grouping in a Specific Folder

If you wish to turn off file grouping for a particular folder, it’s easy to do:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the target folder.

2. Right-click anywhere inside the folder window.

3. Select ‘Group by’ and then choose ‘(None)’ from the context menu.

This will disable any grouping for that specific folder. Files will display in the default sort order defined in Folder Options.

Note that this change only applies to that particular folder. Other folders where grouping had been enabled earlier will continue to group files.

Disable File Grouping Globally in Windows 10/11

To fully disable file grouping everywhere in Windows 10 or 11, systemwide, here are the steps:

1. First disable grouping in at least one folder using the steps above.

   How to change group by in Windows 10?

   You need to change the Group by for every folder by opening that particular folder > Press the Alt and V > Click on G > Select the Group by settings or click on Choose columns for more options. So, once you change the Group by in Save as window, it will remain the same regardless of whichever application you open the Save as window from.

   How do I Group files and folders in Windows 10?

   You can also group files and folders from the View tab in File Explorer. Click or tap on the Group by button from the Current view section. Click or tap on any of the criteria from the dropdown menu to group items on that basis. When a grouping option is selected, a new entry becomes available in the Group by menus: (None).

   How do I Group files and folders together in Windows 10?

   Or, at least it’s not as clunky as the previous answers. This is for Windows 10. Under the View tab, Current View group, choose the Sort by option you want (I chose Date created); also in Current view, choose the same value for Group by. It still sorts files and folders separately, but at least they’re grouped together.

2. With that folder open in File Explorer, click ‘View’ in the top menu bar.

3. Click the ‘Options’ icon in the ‘Show/hide’ section.

4. In the Folder Options dialog, click the ‘View’ tab.

5. Click the ‘Apply to Folders’ button.

6. In the confirmation prompt, click ‘Yes’ to apply the ‘no grouping’ setting globally.

This will remove all file grouping across all folders in your system. The chosen sort order under Folder Options will now apply consistently in File Explorer and app dialogs.

Some key points to note:

• This undoes all custom ‘Group by’ settings applied to any folder previously.

• It resets folder views systemwide to the default sort method defined under Folder Options.

• The global change sticks through Windows updates.

• For strongest results, restart File Explorer after applying the tweak.

Recommended Software Utility

Manually changing registry settings to globally disable file grouping in Windows is complex. For an easy all-in-one solution, check out the free portable app WinSetView.

It allows configuring default Explorer views including grouping options through a simple graphical interface. The app then sets the necessary registry values automatically based on your preferences.

How to remove group view in Windows 11?

Here’s how to remove Group view in File Explorer in Windows 11: Launch File Explorer using the Win + E keyboard shortcuts or simply click on the File Explorer icon on your taskbar. Click the “Sort” option on the new Windows 11 File Explorer command bar. Select the “Group by” option and click on “ (None)” to ungroup all items in the folder.

How to sort files & folders in Windows 10?

You can sort files and folders in a particular folder by name, date modified, type, size, date created, authors, tags, etc. Open File Explorer. Go to “ Sort > Group by ” and select the desired option. Open File Explorer. Now, click on the Group by drop-down and select the desired option.

WinSetView makes it dead simple to turn off file grouping everywhere in Windows 10 and 11 with a couple of clicks.

The Benefits of Eliminating File Grouping

While folder organization comes down to personal preference, decluttering and maintaining consistency boosts productivity for many users.

Global disabling of file grouping ensures Windows Explorer and app dialogs display content as intended without unpredictable grouping changes.

Your carefully constructed folder structures remain pristine without random automatic alterations messing things up. Valuable time is saved from not having to constantly switch grouping on and off.

Workflows become frictionless when you can reliably find files in their expected locations thanks to a consistent no-grouping view. Windows gets out of your way and lets you work your way.

Final Thoughts

Give the file grouping disable tweaks above a try for a week to experience the benefits first-hand. See if streamlining folder views improves your workflow.

How to merge files in Windows 10?

To find the file path, right-click on the folder name you want to merge and select Copy as the path. The above command will merge the contents of the E:\New folder with the F:\New folder. It will skip any duplicate file conflict to leave the original files in the destination folder unaffected.

Why is grouping not working in Windows 10?

May not work if you have hit the max 5000 saved views or have corruption in the registry keys that contain the saved views. May not stick in the long run. Specifically, it has been reported many times, that Windows Updates cause grouping to return. Open any folder, that has grouping enabled, that is not a “library” folder.

How to remove date groups from a folder in Windows 10?

1. Open “Downloads” folder and right-click on empty area. 2. Now select “ Group by ” option to (None) in context menu. It’ll immediately remove date groups in “Downloads” folder. 3. If you also want to sort files by names, click on “ Name ” field present in the top details header as shown in following screenshot:

You can always re-enable grouping specific folders later if needed, but you may find living without it a refreshing change. Let us know if decluttering Explorer views helped you become more productive.

References

1. https://www.auslogics.com/en/articles/disable-group-by-folder-view-in-win10-explorer/
2. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-disable-file-grouping-in-explorer-on-windows-10

How do I Turn Off file grouping in Windows 10?

Use WinSetView to turn off file grouping globally. It’s a free, open source, portable app that lets you choose your preferred File Explorer default views and sets the registry values for you. It does not modify any system files and does not leave anything running (i.e zero overhead). The settings will stick through Windows Updates.