I prefer one of the 'other' layouts
(for viewing: )
Preferences: Look and Feel: Main Interface (tab): User Interface (needs restart): Narrow
(For Editing

Preferences: Behavior: Edit Metadata (single): All on 1 Tab
Then there are Tweaks that affect the MDE custom field order
Preferences: Tweaks: [I will leave it up to the user to find those they want. EVERY tweak on the LEFT has a description on the Upper RIGHT and the current setting on the Lower RIGHT