[solved] Problem with folders in windows 8

[jimmyedwards]

Hi to all,

I need help with the files and folders on this new Windows 8. I had Windows Vista before and I could move files in my shared folder and my documents but now when I try to drag them nothing happens.

I could right click and select size of the objects or files in the folder, or I could have it in list or detail. Also I could align to grid or auto arrange, I cant do any of that in Windows 8, I cant move files at all can anyone help, thanks in advance.

I cant drag the folders in my shared folder and I cant get the align to grid or auto arrange feature. When I right click in my shared folder or in a file I get the dropdown menu for sizing but not to align to grid or auto arrange. My pc is a dell inspiron 660 64 bit windows 8

 

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Edited October 10, 2013 by Starbuck

[KenB]

Hi

 

I cant move files at all can anyone help

I assume that you do have administrative privileges ?

 

If you right click on a folder > Properties > Security Tab

Your Account Name should show here.

Do you have "Full Control"

[jimmyedwards]

Thanks for your reply, yes I have full control. This is what is in that area

Group or user names

System

My name(my email addy)

Administrators(my name\administrators

All have all the boxes checked except special permissions.

[KenB]

now when I try to drag them nothing happens.

 

Has it been like this from new - or could you move files/folders in the past ?

 

Do you have a USB mouse that you can try ?

Hold down left button > drag > release

[jimmyedwards]

Yes it has been like this from the start, I have a usb mouse. When I left click and try to drag nothing happens. In Vista I had the option in the drop down window to align to grid or let it stay auto arrange that is not showing here.

[KenB]

Hi

 

Try this:

Get the Search Box up > type in ...... command ..... Command Prompt will appear on the left of screen

Right click on this ( assuming that you can )

At the bottom the option to "Run as Administrator" should appear. > click on this.

You will now be looking at the black command prompt screen.

 

Type in ...... sfc /scannow ..... note there is a space after sfc.

Hit ENTER

 

This will check the system files for you and attempt to repair any errors.

 

You can run this twice if necessary as it sometimes picks things up on the second pass.

[wellies]

You may not have a fault. I believe what you could be experiencing is just the way Windows 8 is. I never had Vista to see how that worked but I know in XP, it was possible to drag files around in the way you describe. This must have carried over to Vista from the sound of it.

 

From Windows 7 onwards though, the ordering of files can't be done that way anymore. Files in Windows 8 can only be sorted in the ways shown below (slightly different presentation in Windows 7 but the principle is the same):

 

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u78/Mart44/marts-graphics/filesort_zpse80fe4de.png

 

Some people have found this a drawback. There may be ways around it that I don't know about but by default, it's how the file arranging stands. I have overcome this in some areas by prefixing file and folder names with a number. For example '001 Flower' would always be at the top, '002 Tall Ship' next etc. Not ideal but having been with Windows 7 and then 8 for a while now, I've got used to it.

[jimmyedwards]

Thanks for your reply I thought I had replied to you earlier but I must have forgot to click submit . I tried your suggestions but I could not right click and I didn’t see run as admin . I miss my Windows Vista it would be nice if Vista had the speed of windows 8 .

[wellies]

Another thought. Providing you don't have a fault, perhaps consider giving your files 'tags'. This can help with their arrangement. For instance, if you have lots of photos of cars, select them all and tag them with the word 'cars'. Then, when you choose 'Sort by' (in File Explorer's 'View' menu), all car photos will be grouped together. 'Cars' can also be searched for within the 'Pictures' library and all the car photos thumbnails will be displayed.

 

So you could create tags for various categories of photos/images to keep them sorted. It's even possible to find photos fairly easily by initiating a search of the all of the folders within the Pictures library. No need to go to particular folder they are in. An example here of images found that were tagged with the word 'water'. This being done without going to the containing folder:

 

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u78/Mart44/marts-graphics/watertag_zps0c3ebf3e.png

 

As can be seen, the 'water' photos have been found even though the word is not in the file name (although the search will also find and show any photos that do have 'water' in the file name). Although I've only done this with 'Pictures', there is the option to tag music and some other types of file as well.

 

As said, all this being providing you don't actually have a fault that you can be helped with. If this does turn out to be the case, just class the above as (hopefully) useful information.

[KenB]

Jimmy - you said in your first post:

When I right click in my shared folder or in a file I get the dropdown menu

Now you say:

but I could not right click

 

Which is it ?

You need to point the mouse curser at the "Command Prompt" box to highlight it - did you do this ?

 

If this is a laptop - do you get the same problem if you use the mouse pad ?

[jimmyedwards]

Thanks for your reply and help and sorry about the misunderstanding. When I right click and get the drop down menu it is in a folder or file in my shared folder. Where I could not right click was in the command prompt box, I didn’t highlight it but I will try that, this is a desktop pc.

How can I do the picture of the screen like you do I perhaps could show you what I am talking about if I could do that.

[KenB]

How can I do the picture of the screen like you do

Press "PrtSc" [ Print Screen ] button > open Paint > CTRL + V > Save as ......... make sure it is .jpg extension.

Save somewhere obvious - Desktop ?

 

Click on Reply > Go Advanced > Manage Attachments > Add Files > Select Files

Locate the jpg that you have just saved and click on it > Save > Upload Files

 

This will allow you to add the picture as an Attachment.

 

Click Done when the file has been added to the Attachment box.

[jimmyedwards]

This is what the files look like I want to them around like in vista to have a certain order but when I right click on a empty space in the file or even the folder it highlights but I cant move the file or folder. When I right click and to the right the drop down box should show align to grid or auto arrange, because I want the folders in a certain order in my shared folder.

[jimmyedwards]

2nd try to show what happens when I right click .

[jimmyedwards]

Third try tell me when to stop lol.

[KenB]

I see what you are trying to do.

 

What you have here is EXACTLY what I get - this is normal for Win 8

If you want to move a folder of music say ...... do not open the folder.

Right click on it ( assuming you can )

You should see this - see attachment

 

You can Copy it etc as per the right click.

 

Also ....... click here ......this may guide you through what you are trying to do.

I have not tried the download - I am willing to do so if you wish :)

[jimmyedwards]

Thank you so very much that is exactly what I had in vista and what I was trying to do here. Thanks to everyone that helped and to this site. I will send a donation when this shutdown is over. How do I put resolved on this thread? Once again in my Gomer Pyle voice Thank You Thank You Thank You.

[Starbuck]

How do I put resolved on this thread?

Don't worry about that, i'll add it for you.

 

Safe surfing. http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/033/b/3/Computer_addict__by_Sinister_Starfeesh.gif

[KenB]

Hi Jimmy

 

It took me a while to realise what you were trying to do - bit slow on my part ......sorry :)

 

Good to hear that you are now able to do what you want with Win 8.

[jimmyedwards]

Thank You .