Windows 10: Disable automatic folder switching when navigating the file explorer

Clicking on the '3D Prints' folder now switches to that file directory located in my D driveHow do I turn this off? I find that I still want my quick access to visible and not have to scroll up in the file hierarchy to see it again.

:)

 

Not able to open sub-folders from navigation pane in File explorer.

Hi,



Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. We will assist you in resolving the issue.



Before assisting further, I would like to ask you few questions:

• Under which drive are you not able to view the sub folders?
• Are you not able to expand the options from navigation pane of the File explorer?

This seems to be a temporary issue. Sometimes disabling and enabling some of the options will fix the issue.



Follow the steps below and check if the issue is resolved.

• Open File explorer by pressing Windows key + E keys on the keyboard.
• Click on View tab located at the top of the window.
• Click on Navigation pane and uncheck Navigation pane option.
• Close the window, follow the above steps from a to
  c, only this time check the option Navigation pane and check if the changes are effective.

Write back to us for further assistance, we will be happy to assist.



Thank you.

 

Hide or Show User Profile's Personal Folders in Navigation Pane

Thank you in advance to everyone for your help and time. Hopefully this write-up is succinct.
I believe there has to be additional registry modifications to solve this issue.


Problem:
In the Navigation Pane, specifically regarding the Current User folder tree, a Personal Folder (i.e. 3D Objects, Contacts, Desktop, etc... ) continues to show even after making active the Hidden property for that Personal Folder.

Expected Results:
Any Personal Folder that is marked "Hidden" in the File/Folder Listings Area should also be hidden in the Navigation Pane specifically within the Current User folder tree.

Steps to recreate the issue: (the following steps assume that the option is deactivated to see hidden folders.)

1. Open File Explorer
2. Within Navigation Pane, Right-click over any blank area
3. Select menu-option "Show All Folders"
4. Select and Expand the Current User folder tree which is listed as a child object to the "Desktop" folder
5. Within the File/Folder Listings Area, Right-click on a Personal Folder
6. Select menu-option "Properties"
7. Within the new Dialogue window, Select the "General" tab, Select to Activate the Attribute "Hidden", Select the "OK" button
8. Close File Explorer and then Open File Explorer
9. Select the Current User folder in the Navigation Pane
10. Notice the recently-hidden folder is still showing in the Navigation Pane even though it is hidden in the File/Folder Listings Area.

System Specs:

• Edition: Windows 10 Home 64bit
• Version: 1709
• OS Build: 16299.371
• Hard Drives: 2 (SSD & Mechanical)
• C:\ = SSD
• D:\ = Mechanical

Current Modifications of System:

• The %UserProfile% system folder was successfully transferred to D:\ by using Sysprep during Windows Setup. This is the only system folder moved to another drive.

Current Modifications of File Explorer in Navigation Pane: (using Regedit)

• Hidden = Quick Access
• Hidden = Libraries
• Hidden = OneDrive
• Hidden = Homegroup
• Hidden = This PC user personal folders

Current Modifications of File Explorer in Folder/File Listing Area:

• Each unwanted Personal Folder was changed to "Hidden" by Right-clicking the folder and Checking the Attribute checkbox marked "Hidden".

3rd-Party Software Installed:

• Classic Shell
• Mozilla Firefox
• IObit Driver Booster
• Macrium Reflect

 

Locking the file explorer

After many failed attempts to disable the file explorer, automatic grouping of file names in alphabetical order suggested, the work around suggested fails miserably. Using the “group by” has been found to be completely incapable of working.
The “group by” procedure found online is”
1. Open the file explorer
2. Navigate to the folder containing the files to be renamed.
3. Click the view tab.
4. Click the down arrow to access the “Group by” pull down menu.
5. Clicking the “Date created” category or any other category except the “Name” category.
6. Again click the down arrow to access the “Group by” pull down menu
7. Click “None”
After manually changing the “File name” and clicking “Enter”. The “File name” category once again automatically reorganizes the in alphabetical order. In effect Steps 1 thru 7 accomplishes nothing.
Additionally, if I repeat the process in a folder containing nothing but “MP4 Video Files (VLC)” in the “Type” category” and run the “Group by” process it still continues to resort the names alphabetically. It then places a new blank Deltacad file into the Folder having files being renamed. It then launches and plays the changed video file with the VLC media player.