Windows Explorer Address Bar disappearing

MacEachaidh · 01 Nov 2011

Sometimes Windows can be quite the elusive beast!

I've just run sfc on my system (I used /verifyonly first, as a precaution) and it reports it found no problems at all.

Definitely worth a try though, so thanks for the suggestion. :)

I have a sinking feeling I should just bite the proverbial, reformat and re-install. Sigh. Such a pain though, because it's a big job. I'll have to re-install all my apps and reconfigure them from scratch, since I don't know whence the problem derives.

Ugghhh.

lehnerus2000 · 01 Nov 2011

Note:
The word d-r-i-v-e-r disappears from my posts when I log out.

Before you reinstall:

Make sure that all of your hardware d-r-i-v-e-r-s are up-to-date first (just in case).
Check if you have all of the OS updates.

Transfer your installers (d-r-i-v-e-r-s and programs) and important files onto another HDD, in case you have to reinstall your OS anyway.

If you end up having to reinstall:

Install all of the OS updates.
Install all of your drivers.
Make a backup image (use Windows backup or a free program like Macrium Reflect).
Start reinstalling your programs.
Once all of your programs have been reinstalled, make another backup image.

Unless you are really annoyed about this problem, I'd wait for a couple of days, just in case someone comes up with a solution that works for you.

Britton30 · 01 Nov 2011

Another case to show the importance of a good and current back up.
It does help to have an image or your system, updated, while it is running perfectly. An image restore in usually 30 minutes and you have all of your programs and settings right back.

Win7fuser · 28 Apr 2017

Just wanna post on here as I also seem to have this problem, and here are my examples(so they're fresh and should be valid and not 404 anytime soon or ever until the forum closes or something since the attachments are hosted on the forums! :P) and the other guy's examples are deleted/404, check out the attachments I uploaded. Also I tried the solutions here: How do I repair a missing Windows Explorer Address bar? - Super User but they did not work, again refer to my attachments to see what I get...

Win7fuser · 29 Apr 2017

Just an update to my problem, it would appear if you *already* have a borked window, that now becomes fixed but the other windows that weren't borked before, now become with no address bar, no back button or forward button, etc... Interesting....

jim78b · 30 Aug 2017

Win7fuser said:

Just an update to my problem, it would appear if you *already* have a borked window, that now becomes fixed but the other windows that weren't borked before, now become with no address bar, no back button or forward button, etc... Interesting....

hello i have the same issue ! had you resolve it?

lehnerus2000 · 31 Aug 2017

Have you tried to toggle the Windows Explorer window using the F11 key (Full Screen view)?

jim78b · 31 Aug 2017

Yes of course but the address bar is missing

lehnerus2000 · 31 Aug 2017

Have you tried running sfc?

Open the Command Prompt (Use the "Run as administrator" option in the context menu).
Type:

sfc /scannow

Tutorial
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

jim78b · 01 Sep 2017

lehnerus2000 said:

Have you tried running sfc?

Open the Command Prompt (Use the "Run as administrator" option in the context menu).
Type:

sfc /scannow

Tutorial
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

yes but A skilled person in a store told me that it is normal that give me errors