For a million times, when I want to look at the “newest folder” I need to scroll and scroll down the list using Windows XP/Vista/7. Is there a solution to this?

Question

Let's say I have 100 files and 100 folders in a folder "my stuff".

More often than not, I need to access the "newest folder" -- that's probably the case, because usually, people need their most recent stuff -- that's also called the principle of locality or maybe proximity.

But, when I sort the files / folder by "Date modified", it is always some where in the middle that the newest folder is on the list. I need to scroll and visually locate the folder.

It happens all the time. I think the reason is, the files are sorted by "newest files first, and then newest folders", or by "oldest folder first and oldest files". (you can toggle it by clicking on "Date Modified" bar in the folder window).

So no matter how you choose it, the newest folder IS ALWAYS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE.

Won't it actually make sense to sort it by

1. Newest Files First, and then Newest Folders First
2. Oldest Files First, and then Oldest Folders First (after the toggle)

then in the second case, we can easily get to the newest folder by going to the other end of the list.

Any method to make it work better given Windows likes to sort it this way?

It makes me wonder, do the designers at Microsoft not need to get to the newest folder, so they don't take this into consideration?

Answer 1

You're right, Windows Explorer can't even sort the directories correctly on modification date!

All I can suggest is to use an alternative Explorer.

My own favorite is the free Servant Salamander 1.52, which I guarantee sorts correctly the directories, but you can also pick one from the following 25 alternatives:

15 Windows Explorer alternatives compared and reviewed
10 (more) Windows Explorer alternatives compared and reviewed

Answer 2

Have you tried sorting on date created, not modified?

That would give you access to the most recently created files, not files that constantly change (like a database)