Turn off numerical sorting in File Explorer

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016

This policy setting allows you to have file names sorted literally (as in Windows 2000 and earlier) rather than in numerical order. If you enable this policy setting, File Explorer will sort file names by each digit in a file name (for example, 111 < 22 < 3). If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, File Explorer will sort file names by increasing number value (for example, 3 < 22 < 111).

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• User
  Allow only per user or approved shell extensions

  At least Windows 2000
• Computer
  Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Disable binding directly to IPropertySetStorage without intermediate layers.

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Disable binding directly to IPropertySetStorage without intermediate layers.

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Disable Known Folders

  At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
• User
  Display confirmation dialog when deleting files

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional
• User
  Display the menu bar in File Explorer

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Do not allow Folder Options to be opened from the Options button on the View tab of the ribbon

  At least Windows 2000
• Computer
  Do not apply the Mark of the Web tag to files copied from insecure sources

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• User
  Do not display the Welcome Center at user logon

  Windows Vista only
• User
  Do not move deleted files to the Recycle Bin

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional