How to Show or Not "Show All Folders" in the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
Information
This will show you how to set the Windows 7 Navigation pane to Show or Not Show all folders in the Folder Tree automatically. You can still manually expand the folders not shown to see them though.
Tip
If you check the Show All Folders option, it will also add your user profile folder, Control Panel, and Recycle Bin in the Windows Explorer Navigation Pane.
Warning
If you have "Show all folders" checked, then the Show in Navigation Pane option for libraries will be grayed out.
EXAMPLE: Not Show All Folders in the Navigation Pane
NOTE: This is the default setting in Windows 7.
EXAMPLE: Show All Folders in the Navigation Pane
OPTION ONE
To Turn "Show all folders" On or Off from Navigation Pane
2. To Not Show All Folders in Navigation Pane A) Click on Show all folders to uncheck it. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This is the default setting.
3. To Show All Folders in Navigation Pane A) Click on Show all folders to check it. (See screenshot above)
OPTION TWO
To Turn "Show all folders" On or Off from Folder Options
2. To Not Show All Folders in Navigation Pane A) Uncheck the Show all folders box. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: This is the default setting.
B) Go to step 4.
3. To Show All Folders in Navigation Pane A) Check the Show all folders box. (See screenshot below step 1)
4. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 1)
OPTION THREE
To Turn "Show all folders" On or Off using a REG File Download
Download
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Not Show All Folders in Navigation Pane A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
NOTE: This is the default setting. Not_Show_All_Folders_Navigation_Pane.reg
Download
3. Save the .reg file to the desktop.
4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file, and click on Merge.
5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.
6. If open, close and reopen Windows Explorer to see the changes.
NOTE: If you do not see a change, then log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.
7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
OPTION FOUR
To Turn "Show all folders" On or Off Manually in Registry Editor
2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.
3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. In the right pane of Advanced, right click on NavPaneShowAllFolders and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)
5. To Not Show All Folders in Navigation Pane A) Type 0 (number zero), and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This is the default setting.
B) Go to step 7.
6. To Show All Folders in Navigation Pane A) Type 1, and click on OK. (see screenshot above)
7. Close regedit.
8. If open, close and reopen Windows Explorer to see the changes.
NOTE: If you do not see a change, then log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Turn On or Off Expand to Current Folder in Windows 7 Navigation Pane
- How to Change the Active Navigation Folder Icon in Windows 7
- How to Add or Remove the "Libraries" Folder from the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
- How to Pin or Unpin Libraries in the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
- How to Add or Remove "Favorites" from the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
- How to Add or Remove "Computer" from the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
- How to Add or Remove "Homegroup" from the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
- How to Add or Remove "Network" from the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
- How to Add or Remove "Control Panel" from the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
- How to Add or Remove your "User Folder" from the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
- How to Add or Remove the "Recycle Bin" from the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
- How to Turn the Navigation Pane On or Off in Windows 7
- How to Customize Default Places Bar in Windows Common File Dialog Box
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