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File List mis-sorted in some apps

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by scott-adams

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Ok..... a few weeks ago, and I am not sure exactly when, my Windows XP began displaying the flie list in a seemingly random order in SOME of my applications. It is sorted correctly (alphabetically for me) in my MS Office and Windows Explorer. However, it is in an undetermined order in all other apps (Internet Explorer 6, Eudora Pro, Lotus Notes, etc.).

It seems strange that it is mis-sorted in IE6 as well, as it seems ok in the other MS apps.

I HAVE TRIED:

* Resorting from the highest levels of 'My Computer" and Windows Explorer

* Searching the options under FOLDERS in the Control Panel

* Rolling back my updates as far as I have stored on my PC

* Screaming loudly at the monitor

Any ideas of help???? It is not critical, but it does make me angry everytime I need to attach a file or "save as" in IE.

Grrrrrrr!

Scott
info@scott-adams.com

8 replies

by thechas

I had a similar problem with a W98 installation.
After installing IE6, the view attributes option was missing from Explorer. All the files on theat machine are sorted by attributes now, and untill I can get the attribute view back, it won't let mechange the sort order. (I have a registry edit for it, I just haven't gotten around to it.)

Anyhow, I suspect that something similar has happened to you.
Open Windows explorer, and in detail view, open up every view option.
Resort by name.
Close WE
Re-open WE, and see if it is fixed.

Chas

by scott-adams

I appreciate the info, but my problem doesn't exist in Windows Explorer, or in and MS Office applications.... it seems only to be mis-sorted in *some* applications. I did try your solution here, but it did not resolve the issue.

I am truly stumped on this one.

by mfischer

What you see is normal. The applications are indeed not random, but are in order of the frequency that you use them. Oddly enough there is an "all programs" selection at the botom of the quick start menu, and it is there that you can find all of your installed apps. What I am saying is that there are TWO places that apps can be started from in the start menu, and the quick start is what you see when you click start.

by scott-adams

I think you may have misunderstood the issue. I do not have a problem with locating my apps or the order they appear in on my start menu, etc. My problem is that in *some* applications, when you open this file list (for example in IE6, when you click FILE - OPEN - BROWSE, the files are in a strange order. However, when you pull up that same file list in Windows Explorer or an MS Office application, they are fine (alphabetical). When I change them to an alpha sort in these other apps, it doesn't stay that way.

Thanks though.... I'll keep banging my head off this one.

by thechas

Okay, I think I understand what is going on better now.
I don't have a "global" fix, but try this.

Open the app.
In the file open dialog, select detailed view.
Sort on name.
Select normal view.
open a file.
Close the app.

With any luck, the next time you use the app, it will then have the files in alpha order.

Chas

by scott-adams

Chas -- Well, I did try your solution, and it did not work either. However, sometime over the last 4 days my system seems to have corrected itself. My guess is that WinXP installed an update that corrected a problem caused by a prior update. Either way, enjoy the points since you seems to work hard on this one! -- Scott

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