How to Show or Hide the Details Pane in Windows 11 File Explorer

Why use the 🪟 Windows 11 Details pane?

This sidebar displays file dimensions, sharing options, and recent activity without forcing you to open the actual file. That is handy when you are sorting through a folder of similar files and want to check one before opening it. Click a file and the pane fills in. If nothing is selected, the pane has little to show, so select an item first.

Comparison of Methods

Method 1The Keyboard Shortcut

The quickest way to toggle the pane is to open File Explorer 📁 and press Alt+Shift+P on your keyboard. This will show or hide the pane instantly.

Click inside the File Explorer 📁 window first so it has focus. If the shortcut does nothing, another program may be in the foreground. The same shortcut works for both showing and hiding, so press it again to undo the change.

Method 2The View Menu

Mouse users can follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer 📁.
2. Click View in the top command bar. A menu opens with layout, display, and show options.
3. Select Show. A submenu opens.
4. Click Details pane to toggle it on or off. A check mark beside the entry means the pane is currently on, and the pane appears or disappears on the right side of the window.

Windows remembers the setting, so the pane stays in the state you chose the next time you open File Explorer 📁.

Method 3Registry Editor (Advanced)

Make changes carefully, as incorrect edits cause system instability. This lets you change how the Details pane shows up in File Explorer.

This requires administrator privileges and should be done with caution, as incorrect changes can cause system instability. Before you change anything, back up the registry. In Registry Editor, use File › Export to save a copy you can restore if something goes wrong.

1. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\GlobalSettings\DetailsContainer
2. Double-click DetailsContainer and set the value to 01 00 00 00 02 00 00 00 to show the pane.
3. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\GlobalSettings\Sizer
4. Double-click DetailsContainerSizer and set the value to 15 01 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 c0 03 00 00.

Registry changes may not show up in a File Explorer window that is already open. Close and reopen File Explorer, or sign out and back in, to make sure the new value is picked up. To undo a change, set the value back to what it was or import the backup you exported.

To show the pane using the registry, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced, then double-click DetailsContainer and set its value to 1. To hide it, change the value of DetailsContainer to 0.

Keep in mind that the toggle on the View menu and the registry value control the same behavior, so use whichever is easier for you. For a single PC, the keyboard shortcut or the View menu is simpler and carries no risk.

Customizing and Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting missing panes or adjusting sizing involves a few specific troubleshooting steps. If the pane is on but looks empty, click a file or folder to select it. If it still does not appear, check View › Show to confirm Details pane is ticked, then close and reopen File Explorer. To change the width, drag the divider between the file list and the pane left or right.

Summary

Any of these three approaches will toggle the sidebar to fit your workflow. Use the shortcut for a quick check, the View menu when you want to see the option on screen, and the registry only when you need to set the value directly.