Tweak windows 11 file explorer.


djaccess2

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Hi there,

I am doing this topic today because I have a question about the feasibility of a modification to the Windows 11 file explorer.

Here is the situation: I am configuring the new windows 11 computer of an elderly and blind person, who is having a lot of difficulty with the change. This person was using windows xp no more than a week ago and was doing very well with it, habits and haunts having been integrated for several years. Unfortunately, her computer is no longer working and she has to upgrade to windows11. After doing several searches, I succeeded in modifying the system enormously, lightening it, removing all applications, unnecessary services, reconfiguring the taskbar, XP-style start menu with Open-Shell, all the modifications possible with ExplorerPatcher, I checked everything, including the windows 7 menu bar in the file explorer which helped a lot, the x32 list view in the explorer, the removal of the search box, in short, I did a very big job on this machine which looks like windows 98 now and which is nevertheless very, very fast!

Nevertheless, I come to you because there remains only one option which causes problem for this person, it is the button to sort the elements by name, by types etc… In the file explorer. Since this person is blind, they have to navigate a lot with the tab key on the keyboard and often come up against the sort and reorder button, which is right after the list of items in the file explorer. This button also shows up in save and open dialogs and wastes a lot of time. Do you know if there is a tweak to make this button disappear, like I was able to make the search box disappear with ExplorerPatcher?
Thank you very much in advance for your much appreciated help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows10
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry but I'm not following. Could you please post a screenshot. Sometimes, I need a visual. Are you referring to sort and reorder in MS Office?

Please advise your blind friend that there will be times a windows update breaks one or more of your tweaks so they can expect change. Most times the developers of third party tools are fairly quick to alter their software accordingly. With 22H2 around the corner, who knows what we can expect.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
On the part of Office, the Open choice on File or the Toolbar icon does not appear to open the full File Explorer, same for other programs such as WordPerfect, so some settings won't be available.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Hello,
Thank you for your answers. For the moment, I am unfortunately unable to provide a screenshot, at worst if you really need a screenshot I can reproduce the configuration of his computer in a virtual machine.

I'll try to explain what I mean in another way. It's not about ms office at all. I'm talking about the sort and reorganize button that you can see in the file explorer, when you're in the this pc window for example. This was added with windows 7 or windows vista at the time it seems to me, in any case there was not this with windows xp.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows10
By Sort do you mean this or maybe something in the View or settings on the 3 dots?

1661968034839.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Yes, exactly, I want to hide in the file explorer window the buttons for sorting name, type, modify, total size, etc…

I would also like if possible to hide these same buttons that appear in the save as and open window.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows10
Yes, exactly, I want to hide in the file explorer window the buttons for sorting name, type, modify, total size, etc…

I would also like if possible to hide these same buttons that appear in the save as and open window.
In some cases that used to be called the Ribbon, on Win11 I don't see a way to disable in File Explorer.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Alright, thanks for your help anyway, I'll keep looking! I am convinced that there is a way, given all the tweaks that exist to modify the system in depth.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows10
Since File Explorer, and the older Windows Explorer, is pretty much the core of Windows it may require a third-party solution.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
With as many tweaks as you have made, I would be concerned about issues in the future, especially if you start messing around with file explorer.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Why should I care about future problems by modifying the system this way?

I completely disabled windows update so no update will break anything, I had no choice.

I understand that normally windows 11 is not designed to work this way but with the default parameters and settings, despite having taken the time to teach the use and the changes to this user, it was not possible. This person has only known Windows XP and was very comfortable with it, until just a week ago, with a bit of internet browsing, listening to music, etc.
It must be understood that in addition to the handicap everything is done on the keyboard and that with age and the bit of knowledge, a change which seems quite minimal for the average user can have a devastating impact for a person in this situation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows10
Why should I care about future problems by modifying the system this way?

I completely disabled windows update so no update will break anything, I had no choice.

I understand that normally windows 11 is not designed to work this way but with the default parameters and settings, despite having taken the time to teach the use and the changes to this user, it was not possible. This person has only known Windows XP and was very comfortable with it, until just a week ago, with a bit of internet browsing, listening to music, etc.
It must be understood that in addition to the handicap everything is done on the keyboard and that with age and the bit of knowledge, a change which seems quite minimal for the average user can have a devastating impact for a person in this situation.
Even disabling windows updates doesnt mean Microsoft wont force an update on you. It blows in my opinion. I mean its a control issue for sure.
I have been eyeing these lite windows versions on sites im on that are bare bones stripped down versions and even modded for colors and themes etc. Only reason I havent installed one of those is because my thing would be..is theres an update it will wipe out all that so i stick to public release these days.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Version 22H2(OS Build 22621.963)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    AMD
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8 Core
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X570 Aorus Pro WiFi
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    PCI Express 3.0 x16: PowerColor RX Vega 56 Red Dragon
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220 and AMD Greenland - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 - 27 inch Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 SSD - 2 TB each
    1 HDD - 2 TB
    Keyboard
    logitech
    Mouse
    logitech
    Internet Speed
    1 GB
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Avast Premium
I can understand your feeling but since we are only paying for a License to use Windows, whether included in an OEM computer or Retail, it's just a thing to accept. Or move on to one of the free Linux versions IF there are required programs that will run on it, not many proprietary programs that will. Same goes for Mac OS X or the newer macOS. Or we could do like some failures in the past and try to create our own look-alike version of Windows. I started a new career in a computer shop a week after retiring building computer running MS-DOS 5 and later with Windows 3.1 and Windows NT 3.51 and later. I migrated through each newer version except never owned a Windows ME or Windows Vista computer even though had to work on them.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Why should I care about future problems by modifying the system this way?
But you aren't going to be the one using it. The disabled user will be. That's who I would have concern for. Having a disability is enough for one to have to deal with in his/her life. From your comments I take it you have attempted to get through to this person about the changes but was unable to do so. I would have suggested classes if any are available in your area. Many colleges offer them as do local senior centers. High schools deal with disabled students. Possibly a trained teacher could be hired for a few tutoring sessions.

I'm not the best or most patient person in the world when it comes to explaining things verbally. Instead of twisting the OS inside out, maybe all it would take for this person to understand would be working with someone accustomed to dealing with disabled people.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
I think the entire approach may be wrong, you're trying to recreate a system that the user learned to over many years , because XP had virtually no accessibility features.

Instead you should be leveraging all the improvements in accessibility features of a modern OS.

You state she is "Blind", and disabled.
I don't mean to be picky, but how is she even using windows XP if she's blind?
I was born actually blind in one eye, luckily I have good sight in the other eye, but there's a huge chasm between being "Legally" Blind, and actually blind. My situation gives me a foot in both camps.

What do I mean?
Stick your finger behind your back, and look using the finger nail. That is actual blindness.
Not the blackness you see, when you close your eyes.
While being legally blind can be just as debilitating, as actual blindness, for most legally blind people, it means they still have some limited form of vision, and have learned to lived with a gradual deterioration of their vision over time.
This tends to lead to clinging on to that remaining vision, even when a clean break may offer a better solution.

I get that sort of impression, from your vague description, and would suggest a fully accessibiloty featured OS
It could be that W10 would be better suited, using audio triggers for both input, and output may be a better way to cope.
You seem to be more focused, on your debloating W11 project rather than providing what the user actually needs.

If you can't persuade them that modern accessibility improvements may be the better option for them, as you've gone down the Open-Shell route already, why are you not just using Classic Explorer?
If recreating an XP style interface is the main goal, W10 (or W11) with, Classic Start Menu, and Classic Explorer (Even Classic IE if required), would solve all those issues. With Classic Explorer, you can even go full old school, and customize to the before XP ways.

I'm no expert on Classic Explorer though, I have that one good eye, and require dark mode, and like my tabbed explorer too much.
In fact I used a 3rd Party File Manager, (FreeCommander XE) to force my own Dark Mode, until W10 added it, I ignored Explorer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro v22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Uhuru N'Uru PC
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, 4.2GHz Turbo 5.0GHz [2023-04-17]
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero – UEFI BIOS v1410 Beta [2023-04-18]
    Memory
    64GB (2x32GB) GSkill Trident Z5 Neo DDR5-6000 CL30-40-40-96 – F5-6000J3040G32GX2-TZ5N [2023-04-21]
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce RTX 3080Ti FTW3 Ultra Gaming, 12GB GDDR6X, iCX3 – 12G-P5-3967-KR [2021-11-24]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS ROG Swift PG329Q Gaming Monitor – 32” 165Hz G-Sync Compatible [2021-07-07] + 2×Dell U2711 A12 – 27” 60Hz [2013-04-03]
    Screen Resolution
    7680×1440 = 3×(2560×1440) – Game on PG329Q only.
    Hard Drives
    M.2 NVMe: (4 slots, 1 used)
    2TB – WD Black SN750 – WDS200T3XHC [2020-07-10]
    SATA 3: (6 slots)
    SSD: (1.75TB Total)
    1TB – Samsung 850 Pro – MZ-7KE1T0BW [2018-03-28]
    512GB – Samsung 840 Pro – MZ-7TD500BW [2013-04-03]
    256GB – OCZ Vertex 4 – VTX4-25SAT3-256G [2013-04-03]
    HDD: (22TB Total)
    8TB – Seagate BarraCuda – ST8000DM004 [2021-04-25]
    8TB – Seagate BarraCuda – ST8000DM004 [2021-04-25]
    6TB – Western Digital WD6002FZWX Black [2017-07-08]
    PSU
    1200W – Corsair Professional Series AX1200 Full Modular, 80 Plus Gold – CMPSU-1200AXUK [2013-04-03]
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian Series 650D All Black Mid Tower Case – CC650DW-1 [2013-04-03]
    Cooling
    Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360, All-In-One Hydro CPU Cooler, 3x120mm PWM Fan, Aluminium/Copper – 7L7H8 [2023-04-22] + 3×Noctua F12 Industrial IP67 PW, 120mm – NF-F12-IPPC-2000-IP67-PWM [2018-03-28]
    Keyboard
    Corsair Vengeance K90 Performance with MX Red Mechanical Switches [2013-04-03]
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Hero High Performance Wired Gaming Mouse [2022-01-22]
    Internet Speed
    Download = 1,130Mbps (141.25 MB/s), Upload = 52Mbps (6.5 MB/s), UK law allows, ISPs exploit
    Browser
    Pale Moon
    Antivirus
    Basically myself as Comodo Internet Security set to ask my permission on 1st Access
    Other Info
    Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Studio Monitor Professional Headphones - Black [2021-02-25] + Backup Set [2017-10-26]
Hello,
Thank you for your answers.

First, on a Linux system, this is impossible. This person uses proprietary software and in addition, I have absolutely no knowledge with this operating system to be able to help if needed.

Regarding courses to follow to use windows 11 to its full potential, this user has no motivation or interest at all, which is completely understandable I think. When habits have been ingrained for several years and the change will not bring anything useful, you have to understand that for some people it is very difficult to adapt to this and it is something to respect.

Regarding the accessibility of Windows XP, it is very accessible for a completely blind person (the case of the person I am currently helping) because it is very light and devoid of heavy functionality and it uses an external screen reader to Windows much more complete than the best accessibility feature that Microsoft could integrate. In short, this classic interface suits him and it works very well at 99% even on windows 11. There is just this situation with the button to sort the elements in the file explorer, but even if we cannot find a solution, he will learn to live with it, it would just be a huge plus.

Regarding Classic explorer, I may not have looked at the parameters well but I had not managed to make it work. I had checked Windows XP style navigation pane and that didn't change anything. How to get the file explorer of older versions of Windows with classic explorer? Because indeed, I think that by proceeding in this way, it would solve all the problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows10
How about the File Manager from Windows of the '90s, maybe 3.1 or 3.11 or WFW 3.11? Works on Win10 and Win11.

1662210482321.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
It should be good! Although that of Windows XP would be more suitable I think, how to replace it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows10
Haven't seen anything similar for WinXP although there was an x64/64-bit version of WinXP.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security

Hello djaccess2,​

I think you can ask your question in the WinClassic forum, which is precisely specialized in the subject : Windows Shell | WinClassic

It is possible to go very far in modifying the file Explorer, and it is possible that your problem will find a solution. Anyway I'm trying to think about it, if I have a solution I'll let you know.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 21H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    Memory
    8 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080

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