General Add or Remove Menu Bar in File Explorer in Windows 11


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File_Explorer_banner.png


The menu bar is no longer available in File Explorer.



Starting with Windows 11 build 25136 and build 22621.160, File Explorer has been updated.

To help you work across multiple locations at the same time, the title bar of File Explorer now has tabs.

File Explorer also has a new refreshed layout of the left navigation pane which makes it easy for you to navigate to folders that matter to you. The updated organization provides easy access to your pinned and frequently used folders (Quick access) and your OneDrive cloud profiles added to Windows.

Due to a possible bug or by design in the new File Explorer, you can have the old menu bar always show in File Explorer if wanted. When the menu bar is turned off to not always show, you can still open the menu bar using its underline access Alt key shortcuts.

The menu bar includes the File (Alt+F), Edit (Alt+E), View (Alt+V), and Tools (Alt+T) items. The options available for these menu items will vary depending on what is open and selected in File Explorer.

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off always show menu bar in File Explorer for your account in Windows 11.


Contents

  • Option One: Add or Remove File Explorer Menu Bar in Folder Options
  • Option Two: Add or Remove File Explorer Menu Bar using REG file


EXAMPLE: Menu bar in File Explorer

File_Explorer_menu_bar.png





Option One

Add or Remove File Explorer Menu Bar in Folder Options


1 Open Folder Options.

2 Click/tap on the View tab. (see screenshot below)

3 Check (add) or uncheck (remove - default) Always show menus for what you want.

4 Click/tap on OK.

File_Explorer_menu_bar_Folder_Options.png





Option Two

Add or Remove File Explorer Menu Bar using REG file


1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.

2 Add File Explorer Menu Bar

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Add_menu_bar_to_File_Explorer.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"AlwaysShowMenus"=dword:00000001

3 Remove File Explorer Menu Bar

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Remove_menu_bar_from_File_Explorer.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"AlwaysShowMenus"=dword:00000000

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink
 

Attachments

  • File_Explorer.png
    File_Explorer.png
    7.8 KB · Views: 59
  • Add_menu_bar_to_File_Explorer.reg
    634 bytes · Views: 95
  • Remove_menu_bar_from_File_Explorer.reg
    634 bytes · Views: 100
Last edited:
Click to expand...
z3r010

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arcusscullen said:
none of the methods above are working. I still have the white menu bar on my file explorer
Click to expand...
Are you using an applicable build as mentioned at the top of the tutorial?
 

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Uhuru

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arcusscullen said:
none of the methods above are working. I still have the white menu bar on my file explorer
Click to expand...
So how is it not working?
You have It, like me, but it's white in Dark Mode Explorer, which sort of implies "Due to a possible bug", not by design, is at play
W11 Pro 22H2 v22622.440 obtained via UUP Iso, I'm not in the insider program, and I can turn it off/on in Folder Options
2022-08-25 08_04_22-Greenshot.jpg

I get White mode popping up via varrious methods, on first Starrt
If just main window, change of folder puts it in dark mode.
Root Switch links, seem to open nav pane in white mode, and that's only fixed via opening a new tab.
Some minor niggles, still need fixing, but on the whole Tabbed Explorer works fine.
 

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PNguyen

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Hi,
I have Win 11, version 22H2 (OS build 22621.1105), using option one, I don't see the checkbox for "Always show menus" in the "Folder options" dialog at all? My issue is that we have a shellview app to add our menubar when it is inside our app's folder, but if I go to C:\drive for example, then go back to our app's folder again, the menu toolbar is gone?
 

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Brink

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PNguyen said:
Hi,
I have Win 11, version 22H2 (OS build 22621.1105), using option one, I don't see the checkbox for "Always show menus" in the "Folder options" dialog at all? My issue is that we have a shellview app to add our menubar when it is inside our app's folder, but if I go to C:\drive for example, then go back to our app's folder again, the menu toolbar is gone?
Click to expand...

Hello, and welcome. :alien:

Unfortunately, this setting is no longer available or supported in Windows 11.

You could try using option two to see if it may help.
 

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james73

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I've just tried Option 2 and it doesn't work for me either. (Win11 22H2 22621.1105)

Thank goodness for ExplorerPatcher...... :D
 

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BINARYGOD

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My problem is that the menu loves to pop up upon changing any of the settings for File Explorer, and some other times. This really helps, but now I get a white line/bar but without the text.

It's like this menu refuses to die, and I dont care if I never see it again, but now... its war, and I want to kill it. :LOL:
 

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jvickers

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Guess I'll have to learn to live without the menu bar unless I want to use ExplorerPatcher.
 

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Edwin

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Windows File Explorer is a many-splendored and mysterious creature!
The Menu is still there..., you just need the right tools..., to extract it, like tree sap, from the veritably infected blood vessels of Explorer's anatomy!!! :zany:

0002523.png
 

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B

BINARYGOD

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BINARYGOD said:
My problem is that the menu loves to pop up upon changing any of the settings for File Explorer, and some other times. This really helps, but now I get a white line/bar but without the text.

It's like this menu refuses to die, and I dont care if I never see it again, but now... its war, and I want to kill it. :LOL:
Click to expand...

quoting my own post to say, never mind - a fresh install and a use of PC Mover, and I dont have this issues anymore.
 

My Computer

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    Me, Myself, but not I
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    Intel i7-13700K
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    GIGABYTE z690 Auros Ultra
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    Patriot DDR5 16GB (2 x 8GB) 4800MHz CL40 (PSD516G4800K)
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    EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER XC ULTRA
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    HP something or other, nothing fancy at all...
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    200 down, 30-something up
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    [Other Info]
jfes117

jfes117

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Thank you for the post! Finally got the annoying Toolbar off....I'm left with a solid white line instead of the toolbar ribbon, but happy to take that over keeping the toolbar ribbon :)
 

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