.bak files sorting before .dwg files..

[autocadding]

Hi,

This annonying problem cropped up before in 2014.. For some reason the .bak files appear before the .dwg files. Sorting by Type is a short term solution, but then the dwg files are reversed from last alphabetical to first, and then the .bak files. 

The solution that worked before was to right-click on an AutoCAD file, and use "open with" and then select AutoCAD 2014. However, that is not working this time with AutoCAD 2016

Another solution was to go into Windows Explorer options and select "Sort by Groups", but I don't see that option. 

Is there some other solution? The only thing that I can think of doing is to use MOVEBAK, however other people in the office might not find the folder or understand that it has been moved. 

Sort of odd that there isn't better coordination between AutoCAD and Windows Explorer.. Is there another Explorer type system I can download to view files that has better control. 

thanks!

Autocadding

[pendean]

If this is a Windows Explorer "sorting' issue, I use sorting by TYPE in there in Win7 and R2016 today (back to R12 on this PC) and I get the BAKs on the bottom.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> but then the dwg files are reversed from last alphabetical to first,

That is not an AutoCAD problem, I guess you have a problem with the Windows Explorer settings.

I can adjust my sorting in the manner I want and I have not seen any difference between AutoCAD 2000 and AutoCAD 2016, the Windows explorer always shows me the files

• alphabetically by name (if I sort by name), descanding or ascending, depends on one or twi clicks on the name column header
• by type ... and there "AutoCAD-Zeichung" (for my German version, meaning "AutoCAD-Drawing") is above "BAK-Datei" (means "BAK-File", also ascending or descending depending on the number of clicks onto the column header for "Type" (and when I first had the name sorted ascending and then sort by type it shows all dwg in the name-sorting I set before)

If you really have troubles with your Explorer, then try to create a new user on your workstation, login with that account and (without doing any customization by script or so) and see how the sorting is working then.

- alfred -

[autocadding]

actually I had never noticed this before, but by the TYPE sort header there's a small arrow that leads to a checkbox and you can select whatever options you want to see.

So just selecting folders/drawings/shortcuts, for example, removed the bak files from view. 

The other headers have the same option that applies to them respectively. Pretty handy!

thanks...

- Autocadding

[Emmsleys]

Hi @autocadding 

Just to follow up using the arrow located in the "Type" column in Windows Explorer helped create a workaround for organizing your files, right?  

[autocadding]

Hello Technical Support Specialist,

I'm happy the powers-that-be are looking into this, the DWG / BAK sorting has never been a problem except in the past few years and I've been using Autocad since cars like this were in fashion:

Signed in to write about that little arrow - it works - but only one time! It's just a temporary sorter.

Would be great if there were some way to make it a set option. But the problem is that it can hide important items like folders and PDFs, Word documents, etc. vs just hidden system files which are often best left alone. 

Probably would be easiest up a separate folder for the BAK files, I remember reading in the comments online about this subject that there is a command to redirect their location.

Unless you know of a better way!

-Autocadding

[jackshield]

How long do you retain .bak files?

[Anonymous]

I had this problem suddenly pop up out of nowhere and for me the problem was that the .bak files were associated with another program other than AutoCAD.  If you right click on a .bak file the click on properties you might find that the open with shows a different program than AutoCAD.  If so just change it to AutoCAD and your problem should go away.  To associate the file you will have to find and click on acad.exe.

Best of Luck

Kirby

[Emmsleys]

Thanks for posting your suggestion that worked for you! 

I don't know if the OP will be back to the thread but I'm sure other users who have a similar issue will find this helpful. 

[RobDraw]

---

@autocadding wrote:

Hello Technical Support Specialist,

I'm happy the powers-that-be are looking into this, the DWG / BAK sorting has never been a problem except in the past few years and I've been using Autocad since cars like this were in fashion:

Signed in to write about that little arrow - it works - but only one time! It's just a temporary sorter.

Would be great if there were some way to make it a set option. But the problem is that it can hide important items like folders and PDFs, Word documents, etc. vs just hidden system files which are often best left alone. 

Probably would be easiest up a separate folder for the BAK files, I remember reading in the comments online about this subject that there is a command to redirect their location.

Unless you know of a better way!

-Autocadding

---

I think you are mistaken about this being an AutoCAD issue. The first clue is that you are in Windows Explorer which, for as long as I've been using computers, has sorted the .bak files before the .dwg files when listed alphabetically. B does come before D.

One way to get them to be after the .dwgs would be to sort by date modified, but again, this is obviously totally a Windows based question.

[Anonymous]

Robdraw,

Did you try associating the bak files to AutoCAD as I described above?  This is done in Windows Explorer not in AutoCAD so I'm saying that this was for me a Windows issue not an AutoCAD one.

Kirby

[Anonymous]

See example here of what the directory looks like when the Windows directory is working correctly.  Note that the .dwg files are listed first and .bak files are listed second regardless of spelling.  Windows does not see the .bak files as an active file so it is listed last.

Best,

Kirby

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> Note that the .dwg files are listed first and .bak files are listed second regardless

>> of spelling.  Windows does not see the .bak files as an active file

The explanation is a bit different, it's as simple as "A" is ordered before "B" (and I don't know what "active" files could be as there are no "inactive" files, seeing that from the file-system).

But on my system it's equal, DWG is ordered before BAK as long as

• DWG is associated with AutoCAD (then the file-type starts with "A")
• BAK is not associated with a software (then the file-type starts with "B")

At least: it's how Windows Explorer has the file extensions associated, this can not be controlled by AutoCAD (as long as there is not an association from BAK to "AutoCAD Backup File" ;))))

- alfred -

[RobDraw]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Robdraw,

Did you try associating the bak files to AutoCAD as I described above?

---

Why would I? My settings are fine and work as expected.

[Anonymous]

Agree klt.  I don't see any good solutions listed here.  This problem seems to arise, for me, when more and more Autodesk products are installed on my machine.

Thanks,

Sam

[pendean]

Both 'kit" and I do this, you should too
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/bak-files-sorting-before-dwg-files/m-p/6048353#M113303

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Viewing of files is controlled by the operating system and not AutoCAD.  As others have pointed out, when you sort by name and have the file extension displayed, the files get sorted alphabetically. Since the BAK extension is first in the ap=lphabet before DWG this is why you seen them in this order. Of course you can sort the names in either ascending or descending order. You might consider using the Group by option in Windows Explorer to see only drawings sorted by name. 

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I missed some steps here, but the most (simple and) efficient solution is the renamimg of the name of the file-type. When you change "DWG: AutoCAD Drawing" to "DWG: Drawing", then the "Type Drawing" will be sorted behind the "Type Bak". Or you rename "BAK File" to "AutoCAD BAK File" (which will not be absolutely correct because other software also uses BAK) - it will be sorted in your way..

[Anonymous]

Could you please post a screenshot of "renaming of the name of the file type" being done?

[Anonymous]

Here for Win 7 for a file-extension which has no description at the moment:







In other cases it is not done with a screenshot - take a look at this tool:



http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/file_types_manager.html



BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ARE DOING - THESE ARE SOME IMPORTANT SETTINGS IN THE REGISTRY!