Latest Insider version changed the layout of my Downloads folder

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I’m running 18343.19H1 and find that the downloads folder in Explorer is now separated into sub sections headed ‘Today, Last Week, Earlier this month, Last Month, A long time ago’. This is annoying as it prevents me from comparing similar files by name or date. It has only started with this and the previous Insider Preview, and I can’t get it to revert to a straightforward list.
Has anyone else experienced this, and can I get rid of it?

Alex

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That was changed in a recent build but I can’t remember or find which build. You have to modify the view in File Explorer.

--Joe

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I’ve tried altering the layout in Explorer, but it keeps reverting to this annoying sequence.
No other folder suffers this, which only started in the Insider version before the current one (on the Fast track).
I’ve tried setting the folder layout so all similar folder types have the same settings. This always worked before, I have all folders set as General and they all followed the same rules previously.

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I thought I just changed it to what I wanted and it stuck. Don’t recall doing anything special.

--Joe

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Uncheck “Use friendly dates” in Folder Options:

How to Turn On or Off Friendly Dates in Windows 10 File Explorer

Or “Show dates in conversational format” in some (earlier?) builds.

Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 build 22621.2361 + Microsoft 365 + Edge

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I don’t have ‘Use Friendly Dates’ in Folder Options.
I tried adding the Dword suggested in the link quoted by ‘b’, it had no effect at all, nor did any of the other suggestions in that link.
I find it puzzling that only my designated Downloads folder is affected, all folders are optimised as General items, and I have all folders set to the same settings.
Where do I go next?

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In that case, I think you’ve just selected “Group by … Date modified” for your Downloads folder. So on the View tab, click Group by and then (None) to switch it off.

 

Friendly dates should be coming soon for 1903 though:

Friendly Dates in File Explorer (Build 18305)
With Build 18272, we mentioned some Insiders may notice a few small changes to File Explorer. We promised details, and sharing the updated default downloads folder sorting was the first part of that. The second part of it is this: we’re trying out a new default date format in File Explorer! Called friendly dates, you can see an example of how it looks in the image below. Why make the change? The new format simplifies the date modified column, and provides consistency with other views that you see throughout the OS, apps, and on the web. We appreciate everyone who’s taken the time to share their feedback so far. Based on your comments, in Build 18305, we’re making it a bit easier to turn off if it’s not your thing – you no longer have to dig through settings, you can now just right-click on the date modified column and toggle friendly dates on and off from there. Friendly dates isn’t yet available for everyone, so don’t worry if you don’t see it just yet – we’ll let you know when it’s live for all.
What’s new in the Windows 10 Insider preview builds (19H1)

 

Date sorting for just the Downloads folder became the default for Insiders late last year:

Updating the default downloads folder sorting: 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.
Note: If you’ve already altered the current sorting from the default in any way, we will not change it – this is only for people who haven’t changed it. If at any point you want to switch sortings, you can do so from the View tab in File Explorer. Some Insiders have had this change for a little bit now, and based on positive feedback we’re now rolling it out to 100% of Fast.
Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18298

 

Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 build 22621.2361 + Microsoft 365 + Edge

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I’ve changed Group By to none, which cleared the sorting etc, but if I access another folder and choose to make all folders the same as that one, the problem resurfaces.
I note that MS claim they won’t alter settings if the default isn’t being used, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
Still, you live and learn.

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Highlight the parent of the folders you want to change and make the change ther. Then apply to all folders and it should cover all the subfolders. Ie., C:\Users\<Your ID> should apply to all under except maybe “Pictures” which may stay icons.

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It’s not that simple PKCano, my Downloads folder is on a seperate hard disk than the operating system.
Nevertheless I tried your suggestion and we’ll see if it enables the changes to stick.

Update: so far so good

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