How to Add or Remove the Navigation Pane in Windows 11

What is the Navigation Pane?

The navigation pane in Windows 11 File Explorer is that handy sidebar that shows all your folders and drives, helping you get to your files faster.

How to Show or Hide the Navigation Pane Using File Explorer

Here’s the approach using File Explorer:

1. Open 📁 File Explorer. Press Win + E on your keyboard to open it quickly.
2. Look at the top menu (called the Command Bar) and click on View.
3. In the dropdown, click on Show and then choose Navigation pane to show or hide it.

How to Show or Hide the Navigation Pane Using Windows Registry (Advanced)

You can show or hide the navigation pane in Windows 11 using the Registry Editor. This advanced method involves opening Windows Terminal and changing a specific registry setting. Be very careful when making registry changes, as mistakes can cause problems with your PC.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Windows Terminal app. Search for it in the ⊞ Start menu.
2. The setting is saved in the registry here: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\GlobalSettings\Sizer
3. The value to change is called PageSpaceControlSizer. It is a binary value (REG_BINARY).

To Show the Navigation Pane

Run this command in Windows Terminal:

REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\GlobalSettings\Sizer /v PageSpaceControlSizer /t REG_BINARY /d a00000000100000000000000ec030000 /f

To Hide the Navigation Pane

Run this command instead:

REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\GlobalSettings\Sizer /v PageSpaceControlSizer /t REG_BINARY /d a00000000000000000000000ec030000 /f

What Each Part of the Command Means

• /v specifies the name of the value to change.
• /t REG_BINARY means the data type is binary.
• /d is the data to set.
• /f forces the change without asking for confirmation.

When you use commands in Windows Terminal to change settings like the navigation pane, each part plays a specific role. The /v tells the system which setting you want to change, /t specifies the data type, /d is the actual data you are setting, and /f forces the change without asking for confirmation.

Summary

You can easily show or hide the navigation pane in Windows 11 File Explorer using the View menu, which is the simplest option for most users. For more control, you can use Windows Terminal and registry commands, but this is recommended for advanced users. Remember to restart your PC after making registry changes.

• Use the 📁 File Explorer’s View menu for the easiest way.
• Use Windows Terminal and registry commands if you want more control (advanced users only).
• Remember to 🔄 restart your PC if you use the registry method.

File Explorer customization lets you tailor the program to your needs. For instance, adding or removing the Navigation Pane is a popular way to personalize the interface in Windows 11. This direct control helps you manage files more efficiently.