Windows 10: File explorer is blank. Navigation pane shows as active but drop down shows gray and not...

File explorer is blank. Navigation pane shows as active but drop down shows gray and not able to check box to make active. Can't access USB drives. Nothing populates in quick access. This occurred after Microsoft checked to see if computer was ok for Windows 11. On another computer the ethernet port disappeared after the same Windows 11 check. How do I restore functionality to File Explorer? Not able to do much without access to programs in c drive or external hard drives.

:)

 

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

 

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

 

Navigation pane in File Explorer always opens to the bottom

How are your Navigation Pane options set?





You don't have Expand to currrent folder sleected, do you?

If you:

1. Open Explorer with WInKey+E
2. Collapse the Navigation Pane
3. close & re-open Explorer

Does it open with the Navigation Pane collapsed? If so, close Explorer & open regedt. Navigate to:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\NavPane

RIght-click the NavPane "folder", select Permissions... > Advanced and add a Deny Set Value entry for your Username:




If the Navigation Pane opened expanded even after collapsing, try deleting the ExpandedState value under the NavPane key. Repeat the test. If suceesful, perform the above permissions mod.