Desktop icons not arranged by name

When I select Arrange icons by > Name, Windows sorts my desktop icons alphabetically--sort of. How can I get a cleaner alpha sort? I realize system icons like Recycle bin will always come first and folders come before files. But I can't figure out why some files and shortcuts are grouped separately form others.

I see in other posts recommendations for add-ons that will save and restore my desktop settings, or to sort by type instead of by name. I'd prefer not to go that route and just get Windows to do what it is supposed to do . Failing that, I'd like to at least understand why Windows organizes things the way it does.

My icons are sorted in groups:

• System (Recycle bin)
• Shortcuts created when software installed
• Folders (actual folders on desktop, not shortcuts to folders)
• Files (actual files on desktop, not shortcuts to files), mixed with shortcuts to files and shortcuts to folders.

Now that I list them like this I can see some logic. What is special about the shortcuts created by software installation programs? How can I get them to sort with the file shortcuts I create? When I look at Properties, they both look the same to me.

Conversely, why does Windows mix the shortcuts to files and folders? I think I'd like all the folders (real folders and shortcuts to folders) grouped together, followed by all the files (real files and shortcuts to files).

Maybe I do need a custom desktop icon organizer. Or maybe Mr. Gates will come out of retirement and give me more options to organize icons the way I want.

Related posts:

• Desktop icons don't arrange by name alphabetically http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-xp/54942-desktop-icons-dont-arrange-name-alphabetically.html
  
• Why don't some desktop shortcut icons alphabetize properly? http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-xp/26774-why-dont-some-desktop-shortcut-icons-alphabetize-properly.html
  
• Desktop Icons Out of Order http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-2000/2170-desktop-icons-out-order.html

- Radiodave

 

You will find that the icons in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop folder are handled separately than the ones in the C:\Documents and Settings\<your user ID>\Desktop folder. I think that explains your situation.

FYI, I keep mine arranged by selecting "Align to Grid" and then putting them where I prefer. There are any number of free add-on tools that will memorize the layout and restore it when/if needed. MS even offers one, as if to cop to their innate weakness in that area.

Here's a tip; If using an Icon Restorer tool to restore the icons to a previously saved arrangement, untag the "Align to Grid" option temporarily and it will make the restoration take place instantly. Failing to do that can make it necessary to repeat the procedure several times to get the complete results. Then tag the option back when finished.

Alternately, if you have no other users on your system, you can move the icons all into the folder for your user id and they will alphabetize just fine.

 

Thanks, Surfer Dude 2. That helps a lot. I moved all the icons from All Users to my folder and now those sort better.

I also changed the folders that lived on the desktop to shortcuts by moving them to a folder and then creating desktop shortcuts back to their new home. Now most everything is in alphabetical order.

Only problem left is the shortcuts to files and the shortcuts to folders are all in the same group. It would be nice if the folders were sorted separately from the files. But I don't see any way to do that.

Radiodave

 

Shortcuts are files, it doesn't matter if they point to files, folders or drives. The only way I can think of is to rename them.

edit:

You could set up links this should solve your problem and are supported in XP but a PITA to set up unless really required.