Windows 10: Win11 Pro file explorer constantly defaulting to grouping by date - how to disable grouping

ChatGPT has the solution:Question: I have installed windows 11. in the download folder in windows explorer the system groups automatically by date. I don't want this and have not found a way on how to remove this grouping. Can you help?Answer:Yes! You can remove the automatic grouping by date in the Downloads folder on Windows 11 by following these steps:Open File Explorer Win + E.Navigate to your Downloads folder.Right-click on an empty space inside the folder.Hover over Sort by, then click Group by.Select None to disable grouping.Alternatively:In the Downloads folder, click on the View t

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Win11 Pro file explorer constantly defaulting to grouping by date - how to disable grouping

Hello,

Recently I have been finding that some of my folders on Win11 Pro (for one constant example, my Downloads folder) keeps defaulting to grouping the folders by date. This even happens when I am going through the process of saving a file from various programs like when downloading from the internet using MS Edge most frequently. Important to note is that I have a NAS drive where my files are stored in my apartment. I cannot figure out how to stop this from happening. I do not like the grouping feature, I prefer to only see a list of the files and folders preferably organized by name.

I prefer to use the details view but also I use medium and large icons view and it happens with both options. How do I permanently turn grouping off? I really don't like it.

Here's what I am talking about:





Here's what I prefer/want:

 

Win11 Pro file explorer constantly defaulting to grouping by date - how to disable grouping

See this:

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Stop File Explorer in Windows 11 from defaulting to Group by Date Modified

I know this is a well-known problem as there are many comments in Feedback Hub and other forums. I'll describe it here briefly for clarity.

Windows 11 File Explorer continuously defaults back to Group by Date Modified. I have made several attempts to set my view in File Explorer to list items in alphabetical order with no grouping of any kind. But if I close File Explorer then reopen it, its contents are listed back in Group by Date Modified. If I set the view to alphabetical, then click on the Options/Folder Options/View "Apply to Folders" button, the list instantly goes back to Group by Date Modified.

Attempted solutions:

Edit the registry key for "Download" folder view:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{885a186e-a440-4ada-812b-db871b942259}\TopViews\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

I do not have proper credentials as Regedit will not let me change anything.

I was attempting to set the GroupBy key to a blank string using double quotes. I also had information suggesting I try inserting "System.ItemNameDisplay" in GroupBy and/or PrimaryProperty and/or SortByList keys. But even after taking ownership of the key, I could not edit.

Anyone have information that I can use?

Sure would be fantastic if someone has actually found a way to fix this.

Many thanks in advance.