I have received many emails from readers regarding this annoying issue present in newer versions of Windows 10. When users open "Downloads" folder in Windows 10 File Explorer, all files and folders present in "Downloads" folder are shown in groups such as Today, Yesterday, Last week, Last month, Last year, etc.
In other words, the downloaded files are grouped and sorted by "Date Modified" field under "Downloads" folder in Windows 10 as shown in following screenshot:
You can see in above screenshot, files and folders are organized in groups such as today, yesterday and last week. Also the sorting is set to "Date modified" in descending order so that the new and latest files are shown at the top.
Microsoft made this change in newer versions of Windows 10 after getting feedback and suggestions from several users. Many users manually organize files and folders date/time-wise in "Downloads" folder so that they can view and open latest files immediately after launching the "Downloads" folder. It saves their time in looking for newly downloaded files.
This change was made in Windows 10 build 18298 and we told you about this change in our exclusive Changelog topic. Here is what Microsoft said about this change:
Although it's a good move and change in Windows 10 but there are several users who don't like this behavior. Time stamps and labels in "Downloads" folder look cluttered and users find it annoying. They want the previous look and UI back in "Downloads" folder in Windows 10.
If you also find the new "Downloads" folder layout irritating and want to restore old layout and interface in "Downloads" folder, this tutorial will help you.
You just need to change the group by and sort by options settings in "Downloads" folder and it'll immediately apply the classic layout in the folder.
Following steps will help you in fixing the "Downloads" folder showing files in groups issue in Windows 10 and restoring the old sorting and layout in "Downloads" folder:
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:
Alternatively, you can right-click on empty area in "Downloads" folder and select "Sort by" option to Name in context menu as shown in following screenshot:
That's it. You'll get the old layout back in "Downloads" folder.
Following screenshot shows the old classic layout applied in "Downloads" folder in newer versions of Windows 10:
4. The above mentioned steps will restore old classic layout in "Downloads" folder in File Explorer only but if you'll try to download and save a file using your web browser, the "Save As" dialog box or window will still show new layout of "Downloads" folder grouped and sorted by date as shown in following screenshot:
To fix it and restore old layout of "Downloads" folder in "Save As" and "Browse" windows as well, you'll need to follow the same Steps 2 and 3 inside "Save as" dialog box. So right-click and set "Group by -> (None)" and "Sort by -> Name" options inside "Save As" dialog box.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you notice that after some time, Windows 10 automatically reverts back the layout of "Downloads" folder to new layout grouped and sorted by dates, you'll need to permanently apply the old layout using the method given in following article:
BONUS TIP:
It's always a wise idea to move the default "Downloads" folder location in your web browser as if something goes wrong and your computer refuses to start and you need to format or reinstall Windows, you'll lose all your downloaded files because they were stored on C: drive. So always change the "Downloads" folder location in your web browser and set it to a different drive not the system drive where Windows is installed.
In other words, the downloaded files are grouped and sorted by "Date Modified" field under "Downloads" folder in Windows 10 as shown in following screenshot:
You can see in above screenshot, files and folders are organized in groups such as today, yesterday and last week. Also the sorting is set to "Date modified" in descending order so that the new and latest files are shown at the top.
Microsoft made this change in newer versions of Windows 10 after getting feedback and suggestions from several users. Many users manually organize files and folders date/time-wise in "Downloads" folder so that they can view and open latest files immediately after launching the "Downloads" folder. It saves their time in looking for newly downloaded files.
This change was made in Windows 10 build 18298 and we told you about this change in our exclusive Changelog topic. Here is what Microsoft said about this change:
More often than not, when you download a file, you don't change the name before downloading it. Because of that, the names aren't always very memorable (cake_134_small_red.jpg anyone?). This makes sorting by name less optimal since it's hard to find the file you're looking for, so we're updating the default sorting to show the most recently downloaded file at the top of the list instead.That's why newer Windows 10 versions automatically sort files and folders present inside "Downloads" folder by date modified field and displays files and folders in groups based on date.
Although it's a good move and change in Windows 10 but there are several users who don't like this behavior. Time stamps and labels in "Downloads" folder look cluttered and users find it annoying. They want the previous look and UI back in "Downloads" folder in Windows 10.
If you also find the new "Downloads" folder layout irritating and want to restore old layout and interface in "Downloads" folder, this tutorial will help you.
You just need to change the group by and sort by options settings in "Downloads" folder and it'll immediately apply the classic layout in the folder.
Following steps will help you in fixing the "Downloads" folder showing files in groups issue in Windows 10 and restoring the old sorting and layout in "Downloads" folder:
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:
Alternatively, you can right-click on empty area in "Downloads" folder and select "Sort by" option to Name in context menu as shown in following screenshot:
That's it. You'll get the old layout back in "Downloads" folder.
Following screenshot shows the old classic layout applied in "Downloads" folder in newer versions of Windows 10:
4. The above mentioned steps will restore old classic layout in "Downloads" folder in File Explorer only but if you'll try to download and save a file using your web browser, the "Save As" dialog box or window will still show new layout of "Downloads" folder grouped and sorted by date as shown in following screenshot:
To fix it and restore old layout of "Downloads" folder in "Save As" and "Browse" windows as well, you'll need to follow the same Steps 2 and 3 inside "Save as" dialog box. So right-click and set "Group by -> (None)" and "Sort by -> Name" options inside "Save As" dialog box.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you notice that after some time, Windows 10 automatically reverts back the layout of "Downloads" folder to new layout grouped and sorted by dates, you'll need to permanently apply the old layout using the method given in following article:
How to Fix Annoying Folder View Type Automatic Change Problem in Windows
BONUS TIP:
It's always a wise idea to move the default "Downloads" folder location in your web browser as if something goes wrong and your computer refuses to start and you need to format or reinstall Windows, you'll lose all your downloaded files because they were stored on C: drive. So always change the "Downloads" folder location in your web browser and set it to a different drive not the system drive where Windows is installed.
