Windows 11 File Explorer jumps to top when scrolling

RMT4160 76

When I am scrolling through a long list of project files, if I don't pick a folder or keep scrolling, the display will jump back up to the top and I have to start all over again. This has apparently been a bug since Windows 10 because I see solutions suggested in a Google search. The solution suggested for the 10 system does not work for 11. The suggested solution for 10 is uncheck the "Automatically pick an accent color from my background option" check box under Choose your accent color which I assume is equivalent to choosing "Manual" in the "Auto/Man" selection of Accent Color in Windows 11.

JOHN ROFF 0 Reputation points

2023-01-24T04:17:49.76+00:00

What is the cure for windows 11?
Jeff Classen 25 Reputation points

2023-02-27T19:58:10.4+00:00

None of these solutions work, nor have any other solutions I have found throughout my searches.

I am ready to buy a Mac at this point. I regularly search through hundreds of pictures and documents and it has gotten intolerable.
raju pattathil 40 Reputation points

2023-03-13T13:02:36.7766667+00:00
Open Settings.

Click on Personalization.

Click on Start.

Turn off the Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar and in File Explorer Quick Access toggle switch. Quick tip: If you want to reset the view, turn the toggle switch off and on again.
Harold Leggett 0 Reputation points

2023-03-27T21:11:14.75+00:00

Windows 11 Home. Up to date. Tried this. Sounded promising. But. No joy.
oscar eduardo suarez 5 Reputation points

2023-05-06T20:03:21.37+00:00

Same. finally, do you solve the problem?
Ernesto 0 Reputation points

2023-06-10T22:01:01.7+00:00

Anyone figure this out yet? Or is this a bug?
Patrick 5 Reputation points

2023-06-17T18:15:12.8566667+00:00

I have 3 Dell PC's on Win 10 and a Lenovo on Win 11 and all have this same problem. This only started maybe a year ago.

So my question to MS is WTF?? Why can't you fix this??
Richard Thomas 0 Reputation points

2023-08-15T14:54:29.01+00:00

My desktop, still on Win7 doesn't have this issue. My laptop on Win11 doesn't have this issue. My wife's desktop on Win10 does have this issue VERY frustrating for her. I tried the proposed solutions about background colors and quick access on the wife's computer with no success. I checked what was set differently on my laptop that does not have the problem and her desktop. The difference is I use a set background picture. Her desktop was set to Slideshow and to change the picture every minute. I reset her computer to Picture instead of Slideshow and so far so good. Turn off Slideshow and see if that helps.
Frodo 0 Reputation points

2023-09-26T09:40:47.8433333+00:00
Following seems to work for me:

Go to Explorer Options > View > Advanced settings > When typing into list view

Select "Automatically type into the Search Box"

Click "OK"

That's it. Enjoy!
Drew Smith 0 Reputation points

2023-10-05T05:47:17.72+00:00

How has this not been fixed yet!? I will send you my computer so you can see that it isn't a mouse issue.

That said... How many people here are having this issue with a DELL computer? Mine is an XPS 15. I would be curious if this issue is a Dell driver/firmware issue.
Mike Wooton 5 Reputation points

2023-10-05T15:17:50.4766667+00:00

It's not a hardware issue at all, but they want you to think its not a OS issue and getting anyone from Microsoft on the phone to get help takes an act of God! I tried opening folders in separate windows which sometimes works and I don't understand why, but usually it doesn't. I wish I never upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11, biggest case of buyers remorse I've ever had and the upgrade was free!
Anger 5 Reputation points

2023-10-10T02:32:42.44+00:00

Windows Explorer snaps back to the top of the list every time I open a file or copy/paste a file. Is it a "smart" feature no one asked for or a demostration of software programming incompetence? If I wanted to be at the top of the list I would scroll up all by my wittle self. [obscenities] If my folder has 336 files, it's a bunch of non-ergonomic additional mouse clicks and drags that I have to do each time to get back to the file I was looking at before "the snap". Is Microsoft's end goal to give all of their users carpal tunnel?
Patrick M 0 Reputation points

2024-06-04T07:14:47.9866667+00:00

Would love to find a solution.
Roy Varley 0 Reputation points

2024-07-05T08:16:34.09+00:00

Turn off slideshow background in personalise settings - it works! Thank you, forgotten tipster.
Garret Lindsey 0 Reputation points

2024-07-13T20:05:50.8866667+00:00

A way around this, its not a fix but if you press back (top left) it will go to the folder you were trying for. its what i do when trying save file or right clicking to open file in new window after the jump to home folder the back arrow will take you to the location you intended, most times.

Hope this helps till microsoft fixes
Ken Snyder 5 Reputation points

2024-07-16T04:20:42.58+00:00

Problem still exists. I am thinking about paying for Opus Directory just to solve this problem. Any recommendations on XPlorer2 vs Opus?
Robert House 0 Reputation points

2024-07-31T21:31:03.8633333+00:00

I modified the color settings from automatic to manual and adjusted the file explorer settings from "open in the same window" to "open in a new window." The change proved successful, resolving the persistent scrolling-up issue that had been plaguing me for some time. While I've come across comments from others declaring that nothing seems to work for them, I am pleased to report that this adjustment did indeed work for me. I wish you the best of luck in addressing your own concerns.
Hellcat69 0 Reputation points

2024-09-24T07:45:37.5766667+00:00

Has this been solved? I upgraded to Win 11 pro and it worked fine until 2 weeks ago. Now everytime I'm scrolling through picture files the slide bars on the left panel with all the listings and the smaller white scroll tab to the right off the files or if opened all the pictures will flash a brighter white then jump back to the top. This is beyond annoying and frustrating. It just did it again while typing this. It occurs every minute.

24 answers

Ken Gordon 0 Reputation points

2023-11-04T16:23:36.2266667+00:00

I have been seeing this frustrating issue in Windows dating back to Win95 both on pc's at work (enterprise type environment) and at home and in every iteration of Windows since. I have tried every suggestion I came across to resolve it to no avail.

I am convinced Microsoft does not care about the problem. Please fix it!

Ken G

Edmonton
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Helser IT 0 Reputation points

2023-11-27T16:54:21.2233333+00:00

This is a ridiculous situation. This bug (I assume its a bug since I cant fathom any programmer thinking it's a good idea to step on a user's explorer), is more than frustrating, it interferes with my productivity. Not only does it scroll back to the top on me as I'm delving deep into my directory structure, it rolls up as well after I minimize and come back later. And that Microsoft hasn't fixed this problem yet is in itself a scathing indication of how poorly some departments are run. The head of the programming team for explorer, and indeed to project manager, should be fired for gross incompetence. Get with it Microsoft, give a hoot about the customers who support your company by buying and using your product!
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Rene 0 Reputation points

2024-02-25T17:53:27.42+00:00

None of those steps did resolve the issue. Windows is just pathetic.
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Pete Holmes 0 Reputation points

2024-04-07T11:37:17.4266667+00:00

I understand that this thread refers to Windows 11. However, I have seen similar concerns from Windows 7 & 10 users - I use Windows 7. The problem has been bugging me for a coouple of weeks & was still an issue even after changing various settings and powering down my keyboard & mouse (both wireless) etc. Then it occurred to me that I hadn't tried powering down the usb mouse/keyboard wireless receiver. Once I'd removed & re-inserted the receiver all was well again.
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Roy Varley 0 Reputation points

2024-07-05T08:17:54.75+00:00

Turn off slideshow in personalise settings for desktop. It works!
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Ralph Handscomb 0 Reputation points

2024-08-08T16:59:29.6233333+00:00

This seemed to work but it is more a workaround than a fix. I like the slideshows but why must I sacrifice that to sort out something that Microsoft is too lazy to do?
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Kevin 0 Reputation points

2024-07-25T15:27:26.4866667+00:00

I had this same issue in a network environment whenever I started a new tab in Win 11 file explorer it would jump up to the top after a few seconds of scrolling and then be okay after. What worked for me was in the options of file explorer under the general tab. At the top there is a pull down for "Open File Explorer to:" and it was set to Home. I changed it to "This PC" and it seems to have fixed the problem. This is for Win 11 22H2. Hope this helps out someone! It's a very annoying problem.
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Windows 11 File Explorer jumps to top when scrolling

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