Classic Shell: Forum

For years on a WinXP system I used to have a great little 'app' that added an 'Ext' column into the 'sort buttons' in the right pane of Windows Explorer (default 'sort buttons' are of the type 'Name', 'Size', 'Type' etc.). Unfortunately that 'app' doesn't work in Win7.

What that 'app' did was allow sorting of files by the filename extension (e.g. doc, mp3, wav, odt etc.).

If this could be managed for Classic Explorer it would be a great addition. Initially, it might sound like nothing much to be desired, but a few weeks of having that functionality in Explorer would convince most people otherwise.

In case I'm not explaining my idea very well please have a quick look at this website where there is a graphic illustration of what the 'app' does and detail of the advantage it provides. (If you had time and a spare WinXP system to test it on you can download the 'installer' from the same webpage and give it a try.)

http://www.xrayz.co.uk/extension-column/

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OS = Windows 7 Pro. x64

I know about this shell extension and used it myself on Windows XP. Unfortunately, Windows 7 (and Vista) removed the ability from Explorer for developers to add columns to Explorer on global (all files) level. Columns can now only be added for a particular file extension and only if that property is supported by the Windows Search property system for that file type. It is no longer possible to add a column for all extensions and for generic file system properties like extension, size etc.

Windows 8 has a built-in "file extension" column but that OS is far from perfect.

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Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Thanks very much for the consideration. Never 'met' anyone before that knew of the ext column for WinXP, before I actually told them about it. (Once they tried it they were hooked.)

I haven't any kind of desire to move to Win8 it looks like even more of dog than than Win7 is (though I'm totally new to Win7 so maybe I'll have a better opinion of it over time).

For what little it's worth I think Microsoft's strategy is to lock-down the system even more with every new version of Windows - so people can't adjust the system to their own preferences and choices. It's a losing strategy in the long run - they'll lose customers in droves if a viable new OS hits the scene. (Linux is just too alien for me.) I'm hoping ReactOS will make it one day but I doubt in my lifetime. If it ever did I think it would be wipe-out territory for Microsoft. The only way Microsoft would get out of that is to start tying ReactOS developers in huge, prolonged and very expensive legal battles (which ReactOS may not survive). Time will tell.

Thanks very much for Classic Shell it's turned Win7 into a viable option for me - without it I'd have stuck with WinXP to the bitter end. Donation will be on the way soon.

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OS = Windows 7 Pro. x64