How to toggle Sidebar in OneDrive Photos app in Windows 11
The sidebar in the OneDrive Photos app for Windows 11 is the left-hand menu that holds shortcuts to your albums, memories, and folders. Hiding this panel gives your pictures more space on the screen, while showing it helps you jump quickly between different categories.
Pressing the menu button in the top corner or using your keyboard lets you toggle this sidebar on and off in version 2023 or newer. Turning off the menu leaves more room to look at your pictures, and bringing it back takes just one quick click whenever you need to find a specific folder.
Click the toggle sidebar button at the bottom of the navigation panel in the OneDrive photos app to switch between keeping the menu locked open and setting it to appear only when you hover your mouse over the edge of the screen.
Step 1Open the OneDrive Photos Experience
Opening the OneDrive Photos app in Windows 11 is easy using the Start menu or the system tray . Click your Start menu, type OneDrive into the search bar, and pick the app from the list. You can also click the cloud icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar to open the OneDrive hub and access your pictures.
When the OneDrive hub opens, you can find the photo section by looking for a Photos shortcut or a picture icon on the left navigation pane. Opening this photo section launches the photo viewer window where your cloud memories and local computer folders appear together.
Step 2Locate the Toggle Sidebar Button
Finding the toggle sidebar button in OneDrive Photos requires looking at the bottom of the left menu panel. This vertical menu shows your Gallery, albums, and history moments. At the very bottom of this panel, you will spot a small icon with horizontal lines that acts as your control switch for the sidebar view.
Hover your mouse over the OneDrive Photos sidebar menu area if the menu area is hidden or minimized. The OneDrive Photos panel will slide out to show text labels next to each icon. Move your mouse to the bottom corner of this expanded OneDrive Photos panel and hover over the toggle button. A tooltip may pop up to show you are on the right switch.
Step 3Keep Your Sidebar Always Open
Keeping the sidebar always open in OneDrive Photos prevents the menu from hiding while you browse. You can lock the navigation links in place by clicking the toggle button at the bottom of the expanded menu. This anchors the panel to the left side of your window so your links stay visible at all times.
To lock the panel in place, click the toggle sidebar button at the bottom of the expanded menu. This anchors the navigation pane to the left side of your photo window. Your photo gallery grid will resize to fit the remaining screen space so your pictures stay visible.
With this setting turned on, you can browse your Moments, check your Favorites, or open your Recycle Bin without hunting for hidden menus. It saves you an extra click every time you change categories.
Step 4Switch Your Sidebar to Open on Hover
Switching your sidebar to open on hover in OneDrive Photos gives your pictures more display room on small screens. You can tuck the menu away by clicking the toggle button at the base of the sidebar while it is open. The app will release the locked panel so it slides shut until you move your mouse over the left edge.
To turn on the hover behavior, click the same toggle button at the base of the sidebar while the menu is open. The app will release the locked panel, causing it to slide shut and leave small icons on the left margin.
Test your new setup by moving your mouse to the narrow left edge. When your pointer touches the side of the window, the menu will slide open. When you move your mouse away to view your pictures, the panel hides itself again.
Summary
Managing the sidebar in the Windows 11 OneDrive Photos app lets you choose between a locked menu for quick navigation and a hidden menu that opens on hover for more picture viewing space. Using the toggle button at the bottom of the left panel gives you full control over how your photo screen looks and works.
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Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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