Are you trying to organize your photo library in a way that follows no pattern of date or name order?
Well, you have come to the right place.
I have been working as a photo editor for several years and I know the challenges you might encounter while randomizing photos in a folder. From my year-long experience I know, disarranging photos are much more complicated than systemizing them. Probably, you have realized this, if you have tried to do so.
In this article, I will be sharing the productive methods of image shuffling, and creating a random slideshow using your stock software.
So, without wasting any more of your time, let’s dive into the main topic. Make sure you read this article till the end to get proper expertise in photo disarranging.
Shuffle Photos in a Folder in Windows
Shuffling photos in a folder might come in handy when you are in need of creating a collage of wedding photos or making a slideshow for office work.
I hate to break it to you that, there is no permanent way to randomize your photos in a folder. But, if you follow my instructions precisely, you will be able to do that without any issues. So, sit tight and read the following methods.
Here are the methods to randomize photos in a folder:
Use Windows File Explorer
As I explained earlier, windows file explorer doesn’t allow any direct approach to shuffle your photos. Here my tricks will come in handy. You will have to tweak your brain a little bit to get the job done.
Here’s how you can use Windows file explorer to mix up photos:
- Open the File Explorer and move to the folder that you intend to work on.
- Select the View tab from the dashboard.
- Click on sort by and you shall see various options to organise the folder.
- Play with the sort by You shall see different criteria such as Name, Date, Size, and so on.
- Choose a couple of photos and short them with ascending size. Choose different others and short them by their names.
Moreover, you need to be creative with the options. Don’t just select all of them and sort by single criteria. Sort with different options, and in a few minutes, they will be randomized.
This one is the simplest method you can find to shuffle your images in a folder. If you are in search of something different, try the following methods.
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Disable Auto Arrange
If you are using Windows 10 and trying to arrange files in the order you prefer, you will see that there is a feature that automatically arranges the files inside the file explorer.
In the previous windows versions, you could disable auto arrange without any problems but the latest windows versions don’t allow you to. But, don’t worry. I will explain how you can do that.
Here’s how you can disable auto arrange:
- Open Windows run command by pressing Windows + R key at the same time.
- Type in regedit in the command box and press enter on your keyboard.
- Click on HKYE_ Current_ user and navigate to the following path: Software > Classes > Local Settings > Microsoft > Windows > Shell.
- Expand the Shell menu and locate the sub-key named Bags.
- Right-click on bags and click on Delete.
You have completed the first of disabling the auto-arrange feature. For the next step, follow the exact steps as the first and navigate to a different path: Software > Microsoft > Windows > ShellNoRoam.
You have to expand the ShellNoRoam menu, locate the bugs subkey and delete it like the previous one.
Restart your computer to save the changes. Go to the photo folder you want to randomize. Click on the View tab and there you shall see the option of auto arrange to disable.
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The Bulk Rename Utility
This third-party utility is valid if you are arranging a lot of photos. The previous methods are useful if you utilize them for a small project. But, in the case of handling tons of photos, you will have to use a third-party utility for sure.
Bulk rename utility renames files, folders or both. Can change the file names in huge portions.
Here’s how you can use the application to randomize photos:
- Download the utility from the official website and install it on your computer.
- Open the folder with the application and select Action > Random sort.
- Select the Numbering field from the bottom right and from the drop-down menu select suffix
- Select the Rename The selected photos will be renamed with random numbers.
In case you don’t want to name the photos with numbers, you can choose Names from the drop-down menu.
How to Generate a Randomized Slideshow on Windows?
You can use windows tools to randomize slideshow. This process is for you if you want to randomize photos in a folder to make a slideshow.
Here’s how you can use file explorer to create a slideshow:
- Press Windows + E keys together to open the file explorer.
- Move to the folder that contains the photos that you intend to use to generate a slideshow.
- Select any of the photos and locate picture tools on the dashboard under
- Click on the slideshow option to start the process.
- Select only the photos you plan to make a slideshow with by simply holding the Ctrl key and using your mouse to click on the selected photos.
- Right-click on the display and click on Shuffle to randomize the image appearing.
There you go. You have successfully generated a slideshow on your own. You can also create a slideshow with the windows photo viewer in case you are not comfortable with the explained manner.
Here’s how you can create a slideshow using the Windows photo viewer:
- Open the file explorer and move to the folder you have selected in your mind.
- Right-click on any of the photos.
- Click on Open With > Windows Photo Viewer.
- Press the F11 key to start the process.
- Right-click on the display and select Shuffle from the list.
These are the proper methods you can use if you want to generate a randomized slideshow with your photos.
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How to Randomize Photos on Mac?
Shuffling photos is not actually allowed in Mac. But, you can use the screensaver to shuffle your photo album.
Here’s how you can shuffle photos on Mac:
- Open the system preference by pressing Alt + F2
- Move to Desktop & Screensaver option from there.
- Select a photo template from the left column.
- Set a source of the photos from the right column. You can select the photo library if there are no specified sources.
- Wait for a while till the photos appear on your screen and select the album you want to shuffle.
- Tick on the Shuffle slider order and start the screensaver.
You are all set. You can also use an Apple script to shuffle the photos in your album. But you have to use that every time before starting the slideshow.
These are the proper ways if you want to randomize photos in a folder or make a slideshow of your favorite moment. Simply, follow the instructions I have mentioned here and you will face no dilemma.
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Conclusion
The last thing I would like to add is, shuffling images in a folder can be complicated. But, don’t follow every other tricks you see on the internet and don’t download pre- customed bat files from an unknown source to rearrange your folder.
If you have read this word and followed every instruction I have written, shuffling images in a folder won’t be a problem for you.
But, then again, if you face any difficulties implementing the methods, feel free to comment below. I will be happy to help.
