Windows 7: Menu Bar - Turn On or Off

   Information

This will show you how to turn the Menu Bar on or off in Windows 7 for Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Windows Media Player. The Menu bar is turned off by default in Windows 7.

   Note

The Menu Bar includes the File, Edit, View, Favorites (In IE only), Tools, and Help menu items.

   Tip

Pressing the ALT key will temporarily display the Menu Bar as well. You can then press ALT + the underlined letter of the menu item. For example ALT + F to open the File menu etc....

OPTION ONE

Turn Menu Bar On or Off in "Windows Explorer"

1. Through the Organize Toolbar Button

A) Open a Windows Explorer Window.

B) Click on the Organize button and Layout. (See screenshot below)

C) To Turn On the Menu Bar - Click on Menu Bar to check it.

D) To Turn Off the Menu Bar - Click on Menu Bar to uncheck it.

2. Through Folder Options

A) Open Folder Options and click on the View tab. (See screenshot below)

B) To Turn On the Menu Bar - Check the Always show menus box.

C) To Turn Off the Menu Bar - Uncheck the Always show menus box.

D) Click on OK.

3. Using a REG File Download

A) To Add the Windows Explorer Menu Bar

• Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Add_Menu_Bar.reg

• Go to step 3C.

B) To Remove the Windows Explorer Menu Bar

• Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Remove_Menu_Bar.reg

C) Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

D) Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click Merge.

E) Click on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

F) Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.

G) When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

4. Through the Local Group Policy Editor
NOTE: This option will override the options above.

A) Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

B) In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Windows Explorer. (see screenshot below)

C) In the right pane, right click on Display the menu bar in Windows Explorer and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)




D) To Always Display the Windows Explorer Menu Bar

• Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 4F)
  

E) To Not Always Display the Windows Explorer Menu Bar

• Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 4F)
  NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
  

F) Click on OK. (see screenshot below)

G) Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.

OPTION TWO

Turn Menu Bar On or Off in "Internet Explorer"

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Right click on a empty area on the tab bar area. (See red box in screenshot below)

3. To Turn On the Menu Bar in Internet Explorer

A) Click on Menu Bar to check it.

4. To Turn Off the Menu Bar in Internet Explorer

A) Click on Menu Bar to uncheck it.

5. To Force the Menu Bar to Always be On or Off in Internet Explorer

A) For how, see: How to Force Internet Explorer to Always Have the Menu Bar Turned On or Off by Default

OPTION THREE

Turn Menu Bar On or Off in "Windows Media Player"

1. Open Windows Media Player.


2. Using a Keyboard Shortcut

A) You can press CTRL+M to toggle turning the Menu Bar on or off.

3. From the Tab Bar

A) Right click on a empty area on the tab bar area. (See screenshot below)

B) To Turn On the Menu Bar

• Click on Menu Bar to check it.

C) To Turn Off the Menu Bar

• Click on Menu Bar to uncheck it.

3. From the Organize Toolbar Item

A) Click on Organize on the toolbar, and select Layout. (See screenshot below)

B) To Turn On the Menu Bar

• Click on Show menu bar to check it.

C) To Turn Off the Menu Bar

• Click on Show menu bar to uncheck it.

OPTION FOUR

Turn Menu Bar On or Off in "Firefox"

1. Open Firefox.

2. Right click on a empty area to the right of the tabs. (see screenshot below)

3. To Turn On the Menu Bar in Firefox

A) Click on Menu Bar to check it.

4. To Turn Off the Menu Bar in Firefox

A) Click on Menu Bar to uncheck it.