Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer in Windows 11 (2025)

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable numerical sorting in File Explorer for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

File Explorer sorts file names in numerical order and not literally by default in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

When numerical sorting is enabled, File Explorer will sort file names by increasing number value (for example, 3 < 22 < 111).

When numerical sorting is disabled, File Explorer will sort file names by each digit in a file name (for example, 111 < 22 < 3).

You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable numerical sorting in File Explorer.

EXAMPLE: Numerical sorting in File Explorer enabled and disabled

1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer​

3 In the right pane of File Explorer in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Turn off numerical sorting in File Explorer policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.

5Enable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer for All Users

This is the default setting.

A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)​

6Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer for All Users

This will override Option Two.

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)​

7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.

8 If File Explorer is open, then either refresh (F5) the window or close and reopen File Explorer (Win+E) to apply.

1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

2Enable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer for All Users

This is the default setting

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Enable_numerical_sorting_in_File_Explorer.reg​

(Contents of REG file for reference)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]"NoStrCmpLogical"=-[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]"NoStrCmpLogical"=-

3Disable Numerical Sorting in File Explorer for All Users

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Disable_numerical_sorting_in_File_Explorer.reg​

(Contents of REG file for reference)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]"NoStrCmpLogical"=dword:00000001

4 Save the REG file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.

That's it,
Shawn Brink