This guide will help you easily show or hide the navigation pane in Windows 11’s File Explorer. The navigation pane is the panel on the left side where you see folders like Desktop, Downloads, and Documents.

What is the Navigation Pane?

The navigation pane in Windows File Explorer shows your folders and drives so you can quickly find your files. It’s helpful but sometimes takes up space, especially on smaller screens.

If you want more room to see your files, you can hide this pane, and when you want it back, you can show it again. The setting applies to all folders, so it will stay hidden or shown everywhere until you change it.

How to Show or Hide the Navigation Pane Using File Explorer

Follow these simple steps to toggle the navigation pane:

1. Open File Explorer. You can 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)

If you are comfortable using Windows Terminal and want another way to change the navigation pane setting, you can use the Registry Editor. Please be careful when editing the registry — making mistakes can cause problems.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Windows Terminal app by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. The setting is saved here in the registry:
   

   ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerModulesGlobalSettingsSizer

   
   
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 HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerModulesGlobalSettingsSizer /v PageSpaceControlSizer /t REG_BINARY /d a00000000100000000000000ec030000 /f

To hide the navigation pane, run this command instead:

REG ADD HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerModulesGlobalSettingsSizer /v PageSpaceControlSizer /t REG_BINARY /d a00000000000000000000000ec030000 /f

Explanation of command parts:

• /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.

After running the command, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Summary

• You can easily show or hide the navigation pane in Windows 11 File Explorer to get more space or easier navigation.
• Use the File Explorer’s View menu for the easiest way.
• If you like, use the Windows Terminal and registry commands for more control (advanced users only).
• Remember to restart your PC if you use the registry method.

That’s it! Now you know how to customize your File Explorer to fit your needs.