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.
If you have a tablet, convertible, or 2-in-1 type device in tablet/slate mode, then compact view will always be off even if turned on.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Compact View in File Explorer from File Explorer Command Bar
- Option Two: Turn On or Off Compact View in File Explorer from Folder Options
- Option Three: Turn On or Off Compact View in File Explorer using REG file
- Option Four: Turn On or Off Compact View in File Explorer in Registry Editor
EXAMPLE: Compact view in File Explorer turned on and off
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Click/tap on View on the command bar. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Show.
4 Click/tap on Compact view to toggle it on (checked) or off (unchecked - default).
1 Open Folder Options.
2 Click/tap on the View tab. (see screenshot below)
3 Check (on) or uncheck (off - default) Decrease space between items (compact view) under Files and Folders for what you want, and click/tap on OK.
This option will not work when Administrator protection is turned on.
1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.
2 Turn On Compact View in File Explorer
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_on_compact_view_in_File_Explorer_for_current_user.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"UseCompactMode"=dword:000000013 Turn Off Compact View in File Explorer
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_off_compact_view_in_File_Explorer_for_current_user.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"UseCompactMode"=dword:000000004 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.
1 Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
2 Navigate to the key location below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below step 3)
HKEY_USERS\<SID>\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Substitute <SID> in the key path above with the actual SID for the account you want to apply this to.
For example:
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-2498639629-3946114050-4100787084-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3 In the right pane of the Advanced key, double click/tap on the UseCompactMode DWORD to modify it. (see screenshot below)
4 Enter 0 (off - default) or 1 (on) for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
5 You can now close Registry Editor if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
