How to make File Explorer stop grouping files by date

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to make Windows 11 File Explorer stop grouping files by date. Microsoft frequently defaults folders—especially the Downloads folder—into grouped sections like Today, Yesterday, or Earlier this month, which can make finding your files messy and confusing.

You don't need to modify the registry or run any scripts to fix this. This guide will walk you through how to disable the grouped layout in your current folder in File Explorer with two clicks, as well as how to use Folder Options to apply this clean list view globally across all Windows 11 folders permanently.

Step 1: Turn off grouping in the current folder

To quickly remove the chronological date headers from your active folder, you can turn off the grouping setting using the right-click context menu.

  1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder grouped by date (such as your Downloads folder).
  2. Right-click on any empty space inside the folder (make sure you don't right-click on an actual file).
  3. Hover your mouse over Group by in the context menu.
  4. Click More.
  5. In the next window, uncheck the Date modified or Date option.
  6. Click OK.
Make File Explorer stop grouping files by date in Windows 11

Your files will instantly return to a clean, continuous list layout without any annoying headers.

Note: If you are viewing the default Home or Gallery pages in File Explorer, Windows forces a chronological view and will not allow you to modify these grouping settings. Make sure you are inside an actual file folder like Downloads or Documents first.

Step 2: Apply the change to all folders permanently

Windows 11 can sometimes reset folder templates back to their defaults after a major system update. Follow these steps to force the operating system to remember your ungrouped preference for every folder on your computer.

  1. With your newly ungrouped folder open, click the three-dot icon (See more) in the top menu bar.
  2. Select Options from the dropdown menu.
  3. In the Folder Options window, click on the View tab located at the top.
  4. Click the Apply to Folders button inside the Folder views section.
  5. Click Yes on the confirmation pop-up window to apply the settings to all folders of this type.
  6. Click OK to close the main window.
How to apply ungrouped folder settings to all folders permanently in Windows 11

People also ask (FAQ)

Why does Windows 11 keep grouping my Downloads folder by date?

Microsoft configures the default layout for system optimization folders (like Downloads) to sort items chronologically to help users locate files they just downloaded. However, because Windows treats the Downloads folder as a special layout type, it will continually force the grouped view until you save your preference globally via the Folder Options menu.

How do I group files by a different category like file extension type?

If you prefer grouped layouts but dislike date groupings, go back to the Sort > Group by menu and select Type instead of (None). This will instantly organize your folder into distinct sections based on file formats, such as Folders, PDF Documents, Images, and Applications.

Related:

How to make File Explorer open to 'This PC' in Windows 11

Windows

References:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-disable-file-grouping-in-explorer-on-windows-10

https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-11/how-to-enable-or-turn-off-grouping-in-windows-file-explorer/