VIVETOOL, and how to use it...

Is there seriously still no other workaround tweak to get this "no tabs" to work? been holding out on all OS (Win11 Pro) security and build updates after rolling back this KB5034765 install. I know the security implications and at this point thought someone smarter than be would figure it out by now, but I don't think I can wait any longer, given all the recent breaches happening.

This is absolutely driving me bonkers and can't take it anymore ;(

Only options now are to use 3rd party tools. One that can give you no-tab explorer (but also invokes the win 10 ribbon) is:

Windhawk

There is no option available to get the Windows 11 Explorer without tabs, other than rolling Windows 11 a long way back. No ViveTool option. No 3rd party mod option. I doubt that will change, as it seems the no-tab Windows 11 Explorer code is no longer in the OS.

The WindHawk mod mentioned will give you the Windows 11 Explorer with the address/search bar below the toolbar, but you will still have tabs.

WindHawk, ExplorerPatcher and StartAllBack all let you switch to the Windows 10 Explorer (which of course has no tabs), but unless you want the other features of those tools, you can do the same with this reg hit:
Which is the same reg hit applied by this tool:

Check windhawk again. You are incorrect. It has win11 FE post moment 4, win 11 fe pre moment 4 and win 10 without tabs < it is labeled “classic ribbon ui (no tabs)”. Just tested it again myself. It’s the win 10 style, no tabs.

Maybe you’re thinking of startallback win10 fe? Because that mod still keeps tabs and gives you the win10 ribbon…

dacrone said:

Check windhawk again. You are incorrect. It has win11 FE post moment 4, win 11 fe pre moment 4 and win 10 without tabs < it is labeled “classic ribbon ui (no tabs)”. Just tested it again myself. It’s the win 10 style, no tabs.

Maybe you’re thinking of startallback win10 fe? Because that mod still keeps tabs and gives you the win10 ribbon…

Click to expand...

Any option, in any patch program, that gives you the "classic ribbon UI" is using the Windows 10 Explorer that is still included with Windows 11 and can be launched at any time by simply opening the Control Panel and clicking the up arrow icon once or twice.

There is no option that run the Windows 11 Explorer with the "classic ribbon UI". StartAllBack does a bit of smoke and mirrors by providing an option that replaces Windows 10 Explorer ribbon icons with ones that look like the Windows 11 Explorer, but it's still the same Windows 10 Explorer otherwise.

The WindHawk option that provides the "classic ribbon UI" uses the same reg hit I referenced. I know that for a fact because when the original method to change the Explorer default to the Windows 10 version stopped working, I pointed the WindHawk developer to that reg hit (which was first provided by YouTube user CRUCC).

i never said it was win11 fe without tabs... but you incorrectly stated that no mod will give you a no-tabs version of fe. it does. whether op wants to go that route or do the mod manually, it IS possible to implement fe without tabs.

*not picking an argument. just answering op's question.

dacrone said:

i never said it was win11 fe without tabs... but you incorrectly stated that no mod will give you a no-tabs version of fe. it does. whether op wants to go that route or do the mod manually, it IS possible to implement fe without tabs.

Click to expand...

I said you can't get the Windows 11 Explorer without tabs. On Windows 11, currently the only way to not get tabs is to run the Windows 10 Explorer. So maybe we are saying the same thing a different way?

And you also can't get the classic ribbon UI with tabs (unless you install something like Qttabbar). StartAllBack does not do that. Here are some screenshots.

im sure we are. like i said, no malintent meant.

buuuuuut.....SAB does give you the 10 ribbon with tabs.. look in the top right of your window > the +

@LesFerch and @dacrone

If you guys want to argue about File Explorer tabs... make a topic.
This topic is NOT the place for it. This topic is about Vivetool.

I've already updated the OP (back when it was discovered), to point out that Vivetool can no longer disable FE tabs after a certain build.

Separate threads for separate topics, help, in that the interested party doesn't have to read 67 pages of discussion about "other" apps or programs.

Thanks in advance.

dacrone said:

im sure we are. like i said, no malintent meant.

buuuuuut.....SAB does give you the 10 ribbon with tabs.. look in the top right of your window > the +

View attachment 95586

Click to expand...

Ahh, that clever Tihiy. It looks like he implemented his own tab add-on for the Win 10 FE. I was looking for Win11 style tabs.

No malintent meant here either. My main point was really that a fancy mod program isn't needed to get the no-tabs FE (aka Windows 10 Explorer) but the mods do provide other features (as you clearly pointed out).

All feedback and guidance here very much appreciated. Thank you for the direction and will check these out and settle on one