Windows 7 - Navigation Pane - Turn On or Off

**Brink**

How to Turn the Navigation Pane On or Off in Windows 7

Information

You can use the navigation pane (the left pane) to find files and folders. It displays favorites, libraries, and an expandable list of drives and folders. You can also move or copy items directly to a destination in the navigation pane. The navigation pane is turned on by default in Windows 7..

This will show you how to turn the navigation pane on or off in all Windows Explorer windows in Windows 7.

Tip

When the Navigation pane is turned on, you can drag it's left border line left and right to increase or decrease the size of the Navigation pane.

EXAMPLE: Windows Explorer Layout
NOTE: The navigation pane is the far left pane in Windows Explorer.

OPTION ONE

Through Windows Explorer

1. Open Windows Explorer (explorer.exe).

2. On the toolbar, click on Organize and Layout. (see screenshots below)

3. To Turn On the Navigation Pane in Windows Explorer
A) Select (click) Navigation pane to have it checked. (see screenshots above)

4. To Turn Off the Navigation Pane in Windows Explorer
A) Select (click) Navigation pane to have it unchecked with the icon now showing. (see screenshots above)

5. All Windows Explorer windows will now open as you set this.

OPTION TWO

Using a REG File Download

1. To Turn On the Navigation Pane in Windows Explorer
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Turn_Navigation_Pane_On.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Turn Off the Navigation Pane in Windows Explorer
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Turn_Navigation_Pane_Off.reg

3. Click on Save, and 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. Close and reopen any open Windows Explorer window to apply.
NOTE: Sometimes you may need to log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply instead.

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

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**Capt.Jack Sparrow** · 02-06-2010

Thanks For the Tutorial Shawn ..

**Brink** · 02-06-2010

You're welcome Shyam.

**curtj** · 03-04-2010

Thanks for this.

Sometimes I just need to remove it temporarily from one window (if I'm short of screen space) while I work with files, esp if I'm using extra-large icons for example, then have it back.

I know I can use the border-slider, or the menu, but is there an icon or shortcut key for this, or a way to create an icon or shortcut key to do this?

As a second prize, would there be if there is a way to set the navigation pane to be hidden in just one window until I close it?

**Brink** · 03-04-2010

Hello Curtj,

Unfortunately, the navigation pane is universally on or off in all windows. It cannot be on in some and off in others.

I suppose that you could place the REG downloads above in a folder and pin the folder to the taskbar, or placing the REG files in Quick Launch on the taskbar to make using them easier to turn the navigation pane on or off at will.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**curtj** · 03-04-2010

Thanks for your reply.

I could make a shortcut to the REG files and assign a shortcut key, but I'll probably just get used to doing it via the menu.

It's just a pity that there's an icon for the preview pane, but not the nav.

Ah well - I'll live.

**Brink** · 03-04-2010

Yeah, I"m surprised that they didn't include one for each on the toolbar either.

**nonpasaran** · 04-06-2010

hi shawn
is there any way move navigation pane to the right side?

**Brink** · 04-06-2010

Hello Nonpasaran,

Sorry, but not unless you had some 3rd party skinning program like WindowsBlind that has that option to do so.

**nonpasaran** · 04-06-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

Hello Nonpasaran,

Sorry, but not unless you had some 3rd party skinning program like WindowsBlind that has that option to do so.

Thanks shawn

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