Bug: Typing letters or portions of filenames in a Files window causes unpredictable scrolling behavior

[JollyRoger8X]

Description

In a Files window with lots of files with names ranging from A-W, if I type the letter "a", the very first filename starting with the letter "a" is selected and the window is scrolled to that position as expected.

However, if I then type the letter "i", the first filename starting with the letter "i" is selected but the window scrolls to the very top of the list alphabetically and does not scroll to the position of the selected file.

Likewise, if I type the letter "p", the first filename with the letter "p" is selected but the window scrolls to a seemingly random position below filenames starting with that letter.

Steps To Reproduce

1. Open a FIles window to a directory with many files in it with names starting with letters ranging the alphabet.
2. Type a letter and observe the scrolling behavior.
3. Type some more letters and observe the scrolling behavior.

Requirements

As a user, I expect File to select the first file whose name starts with the letter(s) I type, and I expect Files to scroll to show the selected file.

Files Version

Preview 3.0.13.0

Windows Version

10.0.19045.3324

Log File

No relevant logs

[yaira2]

As a user, I expect File to select the first file whose name starts with the letter(s) I type, and I expect Files to scroll to show the selected file.

This is how it already works, can you share a screen recording if you're seeing otherwise?

[JollyRoger8X]

I really wish it worked this way consistently, but it's definitely broken. 😢

Here's a screen recording of me typing each letter from A to Z in a window with a bunch of image files in it. You can see that often the window scrolls to the completely wrong position even though the correct file is selected. I have to manually scroll to the selected files to see them when this happens.

https://share.vidyard.com/watch/KncaxXwdPbJ3TecnPAu9oP?

I also notice that it's even less predictable when you type multiple letters of a filename.

[yaira2]

It doesn't look like I can access that link, can you upload the recording to GitHub?

[JollyRoger8X]

The recording file is too large to upload to Github which limits the file size to 10 MB.

You should be able to access the link I gave you though. It works fine for me in Edge and Chrome.
Are you seeing an error message?

[yaira2]

I still can't repro this, please let me know if I'm following the correct steps

1. Open C:\Windows\System32
2. Type "note" to select "notepad.exe"
3. Type "appv" to select the "AppV" folder
4. Type "wri" to select "write.exe"

[JollyRoger8X]

Nope., it is not working correctly.

Here's a shorter video showing what happens in the System32 directory:

System32.Typing.mp4

[yaira2]

The Windows version shouldn't be a factor, but the only thing I can think of is that you're using Windows 10. Do you have a Windows 11 device you can test with?

[JollyRoger8X]

Unfortunately I do not have Windows 11 running on any of my machines at the moment. I'll follow up if this changes.

[yaira2]

Thanks! We'll keep tracking this of course, but as of now that's the only thing I can think of.