Learn Vista - Sorting, Grouping, Filtering, and Stacking Your Files and Folders

Now in Windows Vista, besides able to sort the files and folders, you can also group, filter, and stack them in Windows Explorer. All these features make you easier to organize all stuff in a window.

Sorting Files and Folders

Sorting makes your files and folders arranged alphabetically.

1. Click one of the heading to sort files and folders according to the heading title.

2. Clicking it again will arrange them in ascending and descending order alternately. When the pointer is hovering on the heading, notice the tiny arrow picture above the heading title. If it is an up-arrow, then the files/folder are arranged in ascending order. On the other hand, if it's a down arrow, then the files/folder are arranged in descending order.

Grouping Files and Folders

If you perform grouping, then files and folders are split into specific groups based on the category you choose on headings (name, type, date, size, or else).

To group the files and folders:

1. Locate the pointer on the specific heading label (such as name, type, size, or others). Then click the down arrow at the right side of the heading.

2. Then the floating menu appears. Now, click the Group button.

3. You'll get the list is grouped based on specific item. 

Filtering Files and Folders

Filtering means you only want to show some specific files/folders based on the heading label you specifies. So, if the files and folders don't meet the filter criteria, they will be invisible.

To perform filtering, please perform these steps:

1. Locate the pointer on the specific heading label (such as name, type, size, or others). Then click the down arrow at the right side of the heading.

2. Then the floating menu appears. Now, on the list, choose/mark items as the filter criteria.

3. You'll get the result.

Stacking Files and Folders

Stacking is closer to grouping. The difference is, on grouping, all files and folders are displayed in the list. Whereas, on stacking, only the group names are displayed, but files and folders are not displayed.

To perform stacking, please execute these steps:

1. Locate the pointer on the specific heading label (such as name, type, size, or others) which you stack by. Then click the down arrow at the right side of the heading.

2. Then the floating menu appears. Now, click the Stack button.

3. Now, the list only contains the names of groups. Double-click each group name of the list to display the files.

4. After you get the result, you will not be on the current folder, but on the search result (Notice the navigation pane). If you want to go back to the folder you've stacked, just click the Back button.