Default sorting and .LNK files

[Just Visiting]

On Windows 7, Everything 1.4.1.1 opens and automatically sorts results by “Date Modified,” with the most recently modified files at the top. This behavior is exactly what I want.

On Windows 10/11, using the same Everything version and similar settings, it behaves differently. It still sorts by most recent, but it also includes all of my desktop shortcut files (.lnk), which clutters the top of the results list.

I already use one exclusion in the UI for a different purpose, and as far as I know, Everything only allows a single exclusion list there. I do not want to exclude my entire Desktop folder, and I also do not want to globally exclude *.lnk, because I sometimes need to search for .lnk files explicitly (for example, by using `*.lnk`).

What I am trying to achieve is the following, without any manual steps at startup (no manually selecting filters, bookmarks, etc.):

- When Everything starts and displays results sorted by Date Modified, desktop .lnk files should not appear at the top or clutter the default view.
- .lnk files should still remain searchable and visible when I explicitly search for them (e.g., by typing `*.lnk`).

Is there a way to configure Everything on Windows 10/11 so that .lnk files are hidden from the default startup view, but still available when explicitly queried, and without requiring any manual filter or bookmark selection each time Everything is opened?

[therube]

You could set up a Filter, Everything-NO-DLNK, that would include all your files,
except something along the lines of, Search:

!<C:\Users\Just Visiting\desktop .lnk>

& use that as your daily driver.

When you do want to see desktop .lnk, switch to the default Everything filter.

(Something like that should work assuming you're not wanting to constantly switch back & forth between the two.
Temporarily Omit, might be another option.)

[Just Visiting]

Thanks, I'll give it a try. I became quickly frustrated, not so much with EVERYTHING — although it works better (for me) on Windows 7 but the fact no AI could figure this out.