To make File Explorer compare digits one at a time, enable the Turn off numerical sorting in File Explorer policy. With it enabled, Microsoft’s example order is 111 < 22 < 3. Disable the policy or leave it unconfigured to sort number sequences by numeric value, as in 3 < 22 < 111. Microsoft lists this policy for Windows 11, version 21H2 and later.
What numerical sorting changes
Numerical sorting treats a run of digits in a filename as a number. Literal sorting compares the digits character by character instead. The policy’s counterintuitive name—Turn off numerical sorting—means enabling it turns on literal, digit-by-digit ordering.
| Policy state | How digits in names are compared | Microsoft’s example |
|---|---|---|
| Enabled | Literally, digit by digit | 111 < 22 < 3 |
| Disabled or Not configured | By numeric value | 3 < 22 < 111 |
These examples show how names with numeric portions compare; other characters in the filenames can also affect the complete order. The policy does not choose a sort column, switch between ascending and descending, or change a folder’s view.
Change the policy
Microsoft documents the policy in both Computer Configuration and User Configuration, under Windows Components > File Explorer. The policy is named Turn off numerical sorting in File Explorer. Its documented behavior and applicability are listed in Microsoft’s ADMX_WindowsExplorer Policy CSP documentation.
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- Open the policy-management interface available on your Windows device.
- Go to Computer Configuration or User Configuration, then Windows Components > File Explorer.
- Open Turn off numerical sorting in File Explorer.
- Choose Enabled for literal digit-by-digit ordering, or Disabled or Not configured for numerical-value ordering.
Microsoft’s documentation identifies these policy scopes and the setting, but does not establish that the Local Group Policy Editor exposes it in every Windows 11 edition. If the policy is unavailable in your editor, do not assume the interface is present on your edition.
Registry mapping
Microsoft’s policy mapping identifies this registry location and value name:
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- Key:
SoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer - Value:
NoStrCmpLogical
The registry mapping is documented by Microsoft, but the cited policy page does not provide a click-by-click Registry Editor procedure. Avoid changing policy values if you are not comfortable editing the Windows registry.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If files still appear in the wrong order
Check whether the problem is the comparison of digits or simply the folder’s current sort settings. If the files are sorted by an unintended field, or in the wrong direction, change the folder’s sort field or ascending/descending order using File Explorer’s ordinary view and sort controls. Those controls affect how items appear; they are separate from the numerical-sorting policy. See Microsoft’s File Explorer in Windows guide for general view and display options.
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For the question “Why does File Explorer sort 2 before 10?”, numerical-value sorting normally places 2 before 10 because two is less than ten. To compare digits literally instead, enable Turn off numerical sorting in File Explorer.
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