Custom groups keeps turning off as I navigate

peregryne · Post by **peregryne** » 2009 Mar 19, 15:18

I love using custom groups, and I group files based on type. I want the same grouping for every folder. But as I navigate between folders, opening tabs, etc., folders keep reverting to not using custom groups - they all just use the default group - and I have to hit Ctrl-Alt-G, Enter to turn grouping back on. Is there any way to fix this?

fgagnon · Post by **fgagnon** » 2009 Mar 19, 16:20

a. When you navigate to a folder for which you have made custom settings, then those settings will be used. (they are stored in the hidden system file desktop.ini via Actions | Folder settings | Save )

b. If you define your preferred custom groups in a folder for which you have custom settings, then the new definition will *not* be taken as the default for other folders (those with no desktop.ini definition).

You should be able to make preferences be the default for folders other than (a.) above, if you make your settings from a folder with no saved folder preferences.

Note that when you redefine your view, that new definition will become the default (assuming the folder has no saved view preferences.)

PS -- Although I do not use groups, custom or otherwise, myself, I just tested this on Windows XP/sp3 with x2 v1.7.2.3 grouping by type ... and it works as I described above. But you do need to set your grouping preference for each pane (Left/Right or Top/Bottom). ;)

peregryne · Post by **peregryne** » 2009 Apr 09, 19:14

Thanks for the hints. Things don't seem to be working for me as they are for you though.

I don't want to have to save a desktop.ini in every folder in order to use group view. I don't use specific settings for any folders; I want them all to look the same. I'd never even used Actions | Folder settings | Save.

The way I can reliably show the "bug" (?) is this -
- Hit Ctrl+Alt+G, Enter to make sure group view is enabled
- go to the address bar and type a network drive name, e.g. "\\machine"
- press Enter, and I see the machine's shares, but not in group view
- at that point, any navigation I do in that tab will not use group view

Of course there is no desktop.ini file in play at that point. I am using xplorer2 1.7.2.3 on XP SP3 as you are. I use a single pane but multiple tabs. If you want to try to replicate this, try typing \\127.0.0.1 in your address bar. (You'll need to be sharing at least one folder on your system to see if it works or not.)

fgagnon · Post by **fgagnon** » 2009 Apr 09, 21:53

@ don't want ... desktop.ini -
I wasn't suggesting that. Only cautioning that running into a folder with x2 view setting in desktop.ini uses those settings.

I see what you mean about network references in the address bar breaking the "Use groups" preference.

Post by **nikos** » 2009 Apr 10, 05:13

so group view turns off when you go into some virtual folder like my computer and then remains off. I'll see what i can do about it