Windows 7: Navigation Arrows in explorer.exe are suddenly dysfunctional.

This is such an pathetically simple way to display the navigation buttons in explorer.exe, but I can't seem to get it right. Oddest of all, this "problem" only appeared today and no new software installed. I HAVE made changes to the "tools" & "views" in an open folder with one or many subfolders, but reset them as they've always been. Any ideas on how to change this annoyance?? I've uploaded two captured images. One is of the far left side of the screen; only "Control" and "CmdPrompt" are true, simple links for the two most used .exe files. Every other shortcut opens either a single-pane window with .lnks to.exe or.msc item which are scattered all over, or it shows .lnks to subfolders. I know this is quirky, but I have always hated desktops covered with dozens of shortcuts (and I obviously detest the arrows shown by default). The icons shown are links to various places; the rest of my 42" monitor is clean.

Always, always, always, when going into nested folders, the navigation arrows on the top line have allowed to go back to previous level, etc. SUDDENLY, these arrows are grayed out and do nothing and am forced to close the window and restart explorer with the WinKey+E method.

ALSO, note the "My Pictures" icon appears empty (unlike Music and Videos); there and dozens of subfolders and humdreds of images within them. This, too, has always worked UNTIL today?!?

Extremely aggravating! What has happened, and how do I correct it?? OS is Windows 7 Ultimate (x64), i7 CPU & 4TB drive space (some from external SATA units).

Help, please!!