Share via

Explorer. show position in directory tree when opening a folder.

Anonymous
2024-02-29T07:14:47+00:00

My files are distributed across 9 drives, so I use shortcuts on the Desktop to go directly to the relevant folder and files.

When the window opens, there is no indication of which drive it is on, nor is it possible to navigate directly to the adjacent folders (CfC23_11, CfC24_02 etc).

This folder is about 7 levels down in G: To navigate to that information store means remembering the location of the folder, going down 2 screens on the left pane to G:, then clicking through the various levels. What a faff!

When opening the folder in the right pane, I want the left pane to open with the target folder highlighted within the expanded navigation tree.

If I manage to copy the real path of the folder from the navigation box, then paste it back into the navigation box, the left pane does indeed show the folder in context in the left pane - in this and subsequent navigations. However to see that highlighted folder needs scrolling a screen or two down, it would be good to adjust that. (But the path in the navigation box is still hidden)

How can that be specified as the default initial behaviour in any options menu?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

10 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. DaveM121 877.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-02-29T07:54:47+00:00

    Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

    In the left navigation pane in File Explorer, right click an empty space, then turn on the 'Show All Folders' option and the 'Expand to Current Folder' option

    Check does that provide that behaviour for you, those are the only available settings in File Explorer currently.

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-05-31T08:26:04+00:00

    The file tree directory in its current state is terrible. Full of bugs and redundant tree's that show you the same folders making it a total mess to navigate. Not to mention when I open a file in a folder the file tree automatically scrolls to the top or the bottom and loses the position of the current folder? Why is opening or closing a image or file in the folder moving the file tree position?? Its very buggy and in totality really needs worked on.

    Was this answer helpful?

    8 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2024-10-11T16:23:42+00:00

    Wasn't a problem in Windows 10. Now that the threat of zero support is closing in on us, the least $MSFT could do would be to regression test the basic tools that we need to navigate the file system.

    This bug is yet another of the "features" of Windows 11 that have me resist "upgrading" my perfectly functional, tuned, and tailored Win10 systems.

    Now, about that Start menu ....

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2024-02-29T08:58:17+00:00

    Thank you

    A slight improvement .

    By disabling show all folders, Explorer stops showing many of the non-folders, but still shows OneDrive (which I never use) along with Desktop etc. reducing the need to scroll down.

    It shows the list of drives, but not any folders within them. And certainly does not show any directory tree.

    The only way that can be shown is to copy the navigation path in its box, then paste it back in. Very peculiar waste of time and effort every time I open a shortcut to a folder.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  5. DaveM121 877.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-02-29T08:15:36+00:00

    Disable the 'Show all Folders' option and enable the 'Expand to folders' option, does that also work to show the location of the folder you are accessing and remove the need to scroll down to the folder?

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments