The order in which folders and topics appear vary a little depending on the application and which View is being used. However, generally, they are sorted with the topic or folder (i.e. sub-forum) with the most recent post appearing at the top of the screen.
For most forums this is by far the most appropriate order as it means that regular visitors become aware of new material without having to scroll the page. If you wish to vary this then pinning a topic of sub-forum is the only solution.
Applications such as Mixed, Board or Category may help give you a layout more in line with what you have in mind, but they still involve pinning to place items in anything other than the default order for a particular application and view.
Beyond that, the solution is to edit the NAML code for your application, but for most administrators that will require a request posted in Premium Support
Volunteer Helper - but recommending that users move off the platform!
Once the admin for GregHelp now deleted.