If I am looking at a list of files in Windows Explorer and I change the name of the file, Windows Explorer will automatically re-sort the list so my file is moved to its proper sort place. I do not want this to happen.

What I want to happen is for the file to stay where it is until I decided to sort the list again.

I saw this work this way on another 8.1 computer so I think it can happen with mine, but I haven't found that option.

Please a

Here you go if you want to disable the auto arrange.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4299-windows-explorer-auto-arrange-disable-windows-8-a.html

What I want to happen is for the file to stay where it is until I decided to sort the list again.

Sort on a different column which leaves the same order when you change the name.  If you pick a column which is the same value then the secondary sort key may be the Name but I don't know if the Auto-sort feature you are complaining about would kick in then too.  I suppose to guarantee the result regardless of how a secondary sort key is handled you could create a tag column which enumerated the files in the folder in their current order.

How do I know what the second sort key is? Can that be set by me?

You can try the two workaround:

1) Disable Auto Arrange in File Explorer

http://mywindows8.org/disable-auto-arrange-in-file-explorer-in-windows-8-1/

2) Create visual breaks for easy organization (Group by)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-hk/windows7/arrange-sort-or-group-your-filesz

Please Note: Since the web site is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Hope it's helpful.

Regards,

George Zhao
TechNet Community Support