How do I change the default sort order on Windows Explorer and the File Dialogs

I was still getting inconsistent results with the various solutions. This seemed to work best for me:

1. Open My Documents folder, Select View - Details
2. Either (A) move Date column to the far left or (B) right click on date column, select "More" and move Date to the very top (Move Up button)
3. Click on Date to sort by most recent
4. Select View - Options
5. Select View tab, Apply to all folders

This will always sort folders for that document type by date since it is the first column and saved as default view.

1. Open Windows Explorer (WinKey+E)
2. Click on the column you want to sort on (Name)
3. CTRL-click on the 'X' close button at the top

Edit: This appears to be a folder by folder setting.

As seen at xpheads.com:

To resolve this behavior, reset the default sort order:

1. Right-click Start > Explorer > C: partition
2. View menu > Details
3. Click the Name column to sort items by name > Hold down CTRL
4. Quit Explorer via the X in the upper-right corner > Release CTRL > Reboot

NOTE: You must perform these steps exactly as they are listed; for example, do not quit Explorer by clicking Exit in the File Menu.

This will sort all folders and files in same Order.

1. Go to File Explorer (any drive)
2. Right-Click and sort by (to any option you need)
3. View pane > Options > Folder Options
   1. View > Apply to Folders > Ok
4. Right-Click on the same directory > Properties
   1. Customize this Folder (Dialogue Box Opens)
   2. Optimize this Folder for General Items
   3. Tick Also apply this template to all subfolders
   4. Apply > Ok.

Now all of the files and folders are sorted in the same way.