Windows XP Reversed Directory Listings

Okay, I have a unique problem with Windows XP. I have Media Center Edition 2005.

You know how when you click "File" then "Open" in any program, you're presented with an alphabetized list of files and The settings don't save either. This happens entirely at random (it happened on my XP Home desktop a long time ago too) and I can never find a way to fix it other than reinstalling Windows. I'd rather not do that right now since I just reinstalled Windows clean on this laptop to get rid of all of the HP bloatware. I've included a screenshot of what it looks like. Sorry the quality is so bad. I was in a hurry and I guess i selected a super low quality.

Can anyone help me permanently fix this without me having to reinstall Windows? I've tried the support database at Microsoft, but either I am not searching right or their database is a joke. I'm guessing it's a combination of the two. If anyone could help me it would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: Forgot to mention that this only happens when I go File>Open in any program. Browsing through Explorer, etc. is perfectly fine and normal.

 

Is this only happening with certain programs (like MS office) or does it happen with all of your programs?

Try doing this.

1. Open a program up, then do file-->open.
2. Go to the folder that has the files in reverse order.
3. Click on the views button (top row of buttons, the table looking one to the right of "tools"
4. Select details, and then click on "Name" above the file folder list. This should make it where the files are in correct order.

You'll probably have to do that for every folder that is showing in reverse order as well as each program that is doing that. The good news is that once you do this for that software, it should remember the settings and will show it in the correct order.

 

Thanks for trying to help. It was definitely appreciated.

It happened with every program. It didn't matter if it was iTunes or VLC or anything. I don't know what caused it. It just happened at random. Never after installing software or anything specific. It would just... happen. I ended up just installing XP (again). I guess this kind of thing just comes with running Windows. Thanks again though.

 

Here's another tip - once you set the sort order, you can go to Tools / Folder Options / View tab, and click 'Like Current Folder'. Hopefully that will reset it everywhere.

Note that that will also set the view you are using (Detailed, Large Icon, etc...).