Prevent Windows 10 Sidebar from Auto-Expanding to Folder?

[agricola]

While I'm here, I thought I'd ask this one, too.
Regedit has it disabled, view->options->navigation pane has it disabled...

Yet, here I am and whenever I click C: or Downloads to quickly hop to those, I am BURIED under file structures, meaning I have to spend multiple clicks to get back up, every time.
It adds up to a lot of time wasted, so I'd be incredibly grateful to have Windows work the way it used to work instead of how it doesn't, ahahaha.

As simple as I can make it, here's the behaviour...

And here's the desired behaviour:

Absolutely any help would be appreciated!

 

[xrobwx71]

Regedit has it disabled, view->options->navigation pane has it disabled...

Have you rebooted since making the change or at least restarted explorer.exe from the Task Manager?

 

[agricola]

Have you rebooted since making the change or at least restarted explorer.exe from the Task Manager?

Yep, unfortunately; my system (hopefully only USED to) crashed every once in awhile, so I restarted just yesterday to try my latest attempt at narrowing that down.
I can take a gif of the behaviour too; I use open-shell and classic explorer, but neither side interfere with the sidebar behaviour, so far as I know.

Outside of that, 'tis a mystery! Thanks for weighing in, let me know if anything else comes to mind..!

 

[xrobwx71]

I always try the easiest fixes first. I'll do some more research as time permits (I'm at work).

Thanks for your patience.

It could very well be one of those 3rd party apps as they "mess with" the shell. I don't use them so I don't know.

 

[xrobwx71]

Here are some things to read through on Open-Shell.

Improvements by thisismy-github · Pull Request #829 · Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

 

[agricola]

I always try the easiest fixes first. I'll do some more research as time permits (I'm at work).

Thanks for your patience.

It could very well be one of those 3rd party apps as they "mess with" the shell. I don't use them so I don't know.

Always good policy, my friend. Don't sweat it; we're all just on our own time here, the last thing I'd want it is to rush anyone trying to help!
My major worry here is that I updated my own post on my other issue several times over, just because I like leaving info in case people have similar problems... But I don't know if that breaches forum etiquette.
Anyway! On to the topic at hand -

Good find. Unfortunately, I use the latest version, that should have those pushes included? I can't stand the default shell, either... Easy way to test later is shutting down open-shell, see if behaviour works as intended. Then file an issue, probably.
Take care, thanks for digging that up!

Nevermind - also, woohoo, I can edit this one! - I restarted with open shell/classic explorer, behaviour persists. Hrmn... Let me think this one over too...

 

[xrobwx71]

I would temporarily un-install Open Shell/Classic, reboot and see if the behavior exists. You can always re-install.

 

[DR M]

Just a question, agricola: what version of Windows do you have? I know you have posted in the Windows 10 Forum, but the icons above give me another impression. Perhaps I'm wrong.

 

[xrobwx71]

I found something. Open File Explorer Options, click the View tab, scroll down, uncheck the indicated box.

 

[agricola]

Just a question, agricola: what version of Windows do you have? I know you have posted in the Windows 10 Forum, but the icons above give me another impression. Perhaps I'm wrong.

Windows 10; I use old icons because I prefer them. I kind of hate everything to do with post-7 windows, aha... It's not a matter of 'just trying it,' either. The amount of problems I've had to deal with on Win10 boxes, let alone Win11 machines...
People tend to romanticise XP, but I still recall my battles there, and they just weren't as tough.

I found something. Open File Explorer Options, click the View tab, scroll down, uncheck the indicated box.

Unfortunately, as I posted earlier:

While I'm here, I thought I'd ask this one, too.
Regedit has it disabled, view->options->navigation pane has it disabled...

Just think I'm gonna give up on everything for a bit. Maybe for a long time. Storport was all screwed up today, too. There's no winning. Thanks, folks.

 

[xrobwx71]

Thanks for giving us a chance to help you.

I'll fall back on my original suspicion of it being Open Shell/Classic Shell.

 

[DR M]

Try a last thing before you give up:

1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E.
2. Click on the "View" tab in the ribbon menu.
3. Click on the "Options" button and select "Change folder and search options" from the drop-down menu.
4. In the Folder Options window, click on the "View" tab.
5. Scroll down and locate the "Launch folder windows in a separate process" option.
6. Check the box next to this option.
7. Click on the "Apply" button and then click on the "OK" button to save the changes.

Restart and check if there is still an issue.

 

[agricola]

Don't worry, I'll feel better and get back into it.

I felt super defeated earlier, because it felt like things had been getting better, now it feels like I've been wasting my time; but I've appreciated all the help, more then just 'thanks' can say. Thank both of you, for your help AND your encouragement.
They're always nice, so poke me if you ever need the same. As for that - good idea!

No dice, so far. I tried with Open Shell removed and after a restart too, just in case. I'll have a think on it..!

 

[xilolee]

In folder options (view tab in file explorer, view tab in folder options), navigation pane, each one of the four options under it are not ticked.

I have a link to the downloads folder on the desktop.
When I click it, I get:



If in the view tab, navigation pane, I select expand to open folder:



Then I get: