Windows 7 How to Change the Sort Order for Numbers in File and Folder Names

[Haral]

In XP and Vista it was possible to change the sorting order for numbers in file and folder names, by defining NoStrCmpLogical=1 in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
(ref http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319827)

When I do this in Windows 7 RC (64 bits) nothing happens. Do you have a clue? Has this nice feature been removed?

If you know how to change the sorting please let me know.

Regards
Harald

 

[reghakr]

Hello harald,

Try this for sorting order:

1.test.txt
2.addservices to my computer.reg.
3.my.doc

 

[Haral]

Hi

Thanks for responding. Sorry, I did not get your point. Did you think I should create those files, or was it a reference to other files with more information? (can’s see any links)

Regards Harald

 

[reghakr]

Sorry,,

No, it was simply an example.

that's how I arrange my favorites in IE

 

[Haral]

Then I have to explain the full story J

In Windows 2000 file names was sorted as

11.txt
5.txt
88.txt

In Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 the default sorting is
5.txt
11.txt
88.txt

I have named a lot of pictures as “YYYY.MM.DD. – Subject”. Sometime I name a file “YYYY – Subject” (depending on how much information I have about the date). If I don’t know the year I name it “YYYx – Subject” (YYYx means the last digit is unknown – ex “196x – Subject” if the picture is from the period 1960-1969). The problem is the new Win7 sorting which list files named 196x before 1900 (as Win7 think I want it sorted as number 196 and not as ASCII strings). Hopefully this is more understandable.

In Vista / XP and Windows Server 2003 the “Windows 2000 sorting” (which I want) can be activated by a registry setting.

My question was if somebody knows how to do this in Win7 RC (64 bit). I have tried the registry hack for Vista, but no success.

Any solution is welcome….

 

[reghakr]

This is probably not what you're looking for, but I have an old version of ACDSEE that allows you to add comments to pictures.

There is a also a tool tip extension that shows the EXIF data inside the graphic.

I'll have to look that program up.

Could you post the registry hack so i could look it over?

 

[Haral]

Hi and thanks again

The registry hack for XP/Vista is listed in the first posting.

In XP and Vista it was possible to change the sorting order for numbers in file and folder names, by defining NoStrCmpLogical=1 in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\Explorer
(ref http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319827)

 

[reghakr]

Sorry

Read it previously. I think I'm getting early Alzheimer's

Did you try both the 1 and 0 settings and restart your computer after making the changes?

 

[Haral]

Sorry to bother you – but I have found the solution. I had not tested enough.

In XP I used this REG file:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\List Order]
"Type"="checkbox"
"Text"="Sort file lists as text instead of number values"
"ValueName"="NoStrCmpLogical"
"CheckedValue"=dword:00000001
"UncheckedValue"=dword:00000000
"DefaultValue"=dword:00000000
"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Policies\\Explorer"
"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoStrCmpLogical"=dword:00000000

In XP this reg file creates a checkbox where the “sorting optionâ€Â￾ can be switched on/off (in “Tools | Folder Options | Viewâ€Â￾). This work grate and it did exactly what I wanted.
When I used the Reg-file on Win7 RC, nothing happened. I can select (Tick on/off) but nothing happens as in XP. Then I conclude wrong that the "NoStrCmpLogical" setting did not work in Win 7 RC.

The problem is that the “switchingâ€Â￾ system does not work in Win7. But when I set the registry value, Win7 / Explorer work exactly as wanted.

Sorry to bother you about this – but I have learned even more……

 

[reghakr]

Haral,

Just something to keep in mind when posting registry scripts.

For some reason, the forum software breaks words apart.

In your example:

CurrentVe rsion=CurrentVersion
Curr entVersion=CurrentVersion

Please let people know that or you'll get a barrage of people telling you your script does not work.