File Explorer 'compact mode'

shiftHappens · Sep 2, 2022

For several days I have tried every suggested method to get my File Explorer back to compact mode or single files. Nothing is working. Tweaked the registry, checked the right boxes but nothing changes. Any suggestions?

Brink · Sep 2, 2022

Hello,

If you haven't already, you might see if an option below may help.

Turn On or Off Compact View in File Explorer in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off compact view in File Explorer for your account in Windows 11. If you feel File Explorer has too much space between items, you can turn on compact view to decrease space between items in File Explorer. Option One: Turn On or Off Compact View...

www.elevenforum.com

shiftHappens · Sep 2, 2022

Thanks but I tried this several times and it doesn't change anything. Even tried this:

How to restore the classic File Explorer in Windows 11

Users can restore the classic command ribbon to File Explorer in Windows 11 by hacking the Registry File and adding a specific string value to a new key.

www.techrepublic.com

shiftHappens · Sep 2, 2022

It almost feels like something is blocking any suggested tweaks/changes I try. After I follow-through on the procedures to recover the compact mode nothing responds or changes.

Brink · Sep 2, 2022

Do you have any apps installed that could be overriding the setting?

shiftHappens · Sep 2, 2022

Brink said:
Do you have any apps installed that could be overriding the setting?

Nothing new since this started happening a few days ago. This happened before a couple of weeks ago but I managed to fix it. Now nothing works to return the compact view status. Weird.

LesFerch · Sep 17, 2022

Try running WinSetView with the Enable compact view on Windows 11 option checked. This sets the same registry key that's shown in the tutorial, but WinSetView also clears out the per-folder registry keys when it sets your preferred folder default views and this will eliminate any corruption in those keys. It has worked to fix other Windows 11 File Explorer view issues, such as the Optimize this folder option refusing to work.