Solved Block file explorer auto expanding when dragging files

Atom · Dec 23, 2022

I find this feature incredibly annoying and have tried many times to prevent it, but when dragging a file into the navigation pane, I do not want it to auto expand any folder that I happen to hover on. Is there a way to block this entirely or if not, then change the hover time sensitivity?

I am using Version 21H2(OS build 19044.2130)

Berton · Feb 8, 2023

Atom said:
I find this feature incredibly annoying and have tried many times to prevent it, but when dragging a file into the navigation pane, I do not want it to auto expand any folder that I happen to hover on. Is there a way to block this entirely or if not, then change the hover time sensitivity?

I am using Version 21H2(OS build 19044.2130)

I noticed this has had no reply for a couple months but will offer this anyway.
I'm on the latest, Version 22H2 Build 22621.1194, and still see the feature or issue. Rather than have the issue I install the Registry change than gives me Copy to and Move to choices on the right-click context menu, much more accurate to chose the destination. Tutorial on this site. I have it on my Win10 and Win11 computers thanks to @Brink.

Atom · Feb 8, 2023

Berton said:
I noticed this has had no reply for a couple months but will offer this anyway.
I'm on the latest, Version 22H2 Build 22621.1194, and still see the feature or issue. Rather than have the issue I install the Registry change than gives me Copy to and Move to choices on the right-click context menu, much more accurate to chose the destination. Tutorial on this site. I have it on my Win10 and Win11 computers thanks to @Brink.

Thanks, but those seem to be there by default unless I don't understand your comment. I want to suppress auto folder expansion.

Brink · Feb 8, 2023

Hello Atom, and welcome.

Did you already check to see if this below may be the cause?

Turn On or Off Expand Folder in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off automatically expand to current folder in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account in Windows 11. The navigation pane is the far left pane in File Explorer used to find files, folders, and drives on your PC or network. When you...

www.elevenforum.com

Atom · Feb 8, 2023

Thanks Mr. Brink.

Brink · Feb 8, 2023

You're most welcome.

Try3 · Feb 8, 2023

Atom said:
Block file explorer auto expanding when dragging files

When I'm copying things around, I have File explorer open twice & I arrange its windows side-by-side.
- In the right-hand one, I browse to the source folder for the files concerned.
- In the left-hand one, I browse to the destination folder and open it so it's shown in the main window pane.
- I drag & drop the files from right to left into the destination folder in the main window pane.
Done this way, there's no Navigation pane expansion.

All the best,
Denis

Scott · Feb 9, 2023

Try3 said:
When I'm copying things around, I have File explorer open twice & I arrange its windows side-by-side.
- In the right-hand one, I browse to the source folder for the files concerned.
- In the left-hand one, I browse to the destination folder and open it so it's shown in the main window pane.
- I drag & drop the files from right to left into the destination folder in the main window pane.
Done this way, there's no Navigation pane expansion.

All the best,
Denis

I do exactly the same, except I drag from left to right.

Edwin · Feb 9, 2023

I use Move To/Copy To
I've accidentally dropped files into the wrong folder once too often!

Try3 · Feb 9, 2023

Scott said:
I do exactly the same, except I drag from left to right.

That means you are passing over the destination's Navigation pane and its expansion might be distracting.

All the best,
Denis

Atom · Feb 9, 2023

Brink said:
You're most welcome.

One thing I noticed is that when I did the registry tweak to block auto folder expansion, it also turned off quick access.

Brink · Feb 9, 2023

Atom said:
One thing I noticed is that when I did the registry tweak to block auto folder expansion, it also turned off quick access.

Odd. It shouldn't have affected that. Could you post a screenshot showing this to see what may have happened?

Atom · Feb 9, 2023

The red dot item is what I changed from zero to one (dec). With that, the QA is no longer available in the nav pane.

Brink · Feb 9, 2023

Atom said:
The red dot item is what I changed from zero to one (dec). With that, the QA is no longer available in the nav pane.
View attachment 52300

I tested on my system, and QA (now called "Home") is not missing.

Go ahead and post a screenshot showing QA missing in File Explorer to see if anything may stand out.

Atom · Feb 9, 2023

Brink said:
I tested on my system, and QA (now called "Home") is not missing.

Go ahead and post a screenshot showing QA missing in File Explorer to see if anything may stand out.

Yes, I see that now that you point it out, but while Home is there in the nav pane, its subfolders are not, and in the right pane, it's referred to as QA and not Home. Thanks again for your help.

Brink · Feb 9, 2023

Atom said:
Yes, I see that now that you point it out, but while Home is there in the nav pane, its subfolders are not, and in the right pane, it's referred to as QA and not Home. Thanks again for your help.

If you don't see the Quick Access folders in the navigation pane a bit below "Home" in a separate group, then you can use the tutorial below to reset and restore the defaults.

Clear and Reset Quick Access Folders in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to clear and reset Quick access frequent folders back to default for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Quick access in the navigation pane of File Explorer (Win+E) allows you to quickly access and view your pinned locations, frequent folders, and recent...

www.elevenforum.com

Atom · Feb 9, 2023

Brink said:
If you don't see the Quick Access folders in the navigation pane a bit below "Home" in a separate group, then you can use the tutorial below to reset and restore the defaults.

Clear and Reset Quick Access Folders in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to clear and reset Quick access frequent folders back to default for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Quick access in the navigation pane of File Explorer (Win+E) allows you to quickly access and view your pinned locations, frequent folders, and recent...

www.elevenforum.com

That worked, but I notice that I can no longer arrange the folders the way I can in 10. You have been most helpful.

Atom · Feb 10, 2023

I now notice that all of my AutoHotKey scripts are no longer functional and the files are not recognized as AHK file as opposed to simple text files. Also, the Home folder no longer displays in subfolders in the nav pane. At this point I'd rather undo everything I've done here.