Windows 10: File Explorer ribbon is blank

A couple days ago after Windows did an update, suddenly the Ribbon in File Explorer is always blank. Have done few more updates, hoping it would sort itself out, but it hasn't. Also started in Safe Mode, and it the issue is still there.

:)

 

File Explorer Green Ribbon of Death


When I first upgraded to W10, File Explorer worked as it did in W7. Now when I open it I see a blank preview section and the forever expanding green ribbon in the ribbon bar. I tried checking Always show Icons, never thumbnails and the green ribbon finally finishes. But not being able to see picture thumbnails is a pain. I turned thumbnails on for the Pictures folder only and the never ending green ribbon is back. Possibly a related problem: with thumbnails off (or on) if I left click on a video file in the Videos volder, file explorer hangs and I have to end it with Task Manager.

I have heard that by ending the dllhost.exe process/service, the green ribbon goes away, but so does W10 security and stability.

Suggestions on how to fix are appreciated.

Without a properworking File Explorer, W10 is not really a suitable OS.

 

File Explorer Ribbon or Tool Bar

Hello,

We understand that you want to keep the ribbon open in File Explorer.

There are ways on how to achieve this. Here are some of it. Kindly check the methods below:

Hide or show the Ribbon using a Registry tweak

• Open Registry Editor.
• Go to the following key:
  
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
  
  If this key does not exist, just create it.
• Create or modify the 32-bit DWORD value named ExplorerRibbonStartsMinimized. explorerribbonstartsminimized
  
  Note: Even if you are running 64-bit Windows you must still create a 32-bit DWORD value.
  • To start Explorer with the Ribbon always minimized, set the ExplorerRibbonStartsMinimized value data to 3.
  • To start Explorer with the Ribbon always maximized, set it to 4. Delete the ExplorerRibbonStartsMinimized parameter to restore the default behavior.
  • Delete the ExplorerRibbonStartsMinimized parameter to restore the default behavior.

Using a Group Policy tweak, you can force Explorer to always start with the Ribbon minimized.

• Press Win + R keys together on your keyboard.
• The Run box will appear. Type the following in the Run box and then press Enter:
  • gpedit.msc
• In the left pane of Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following path:
  • User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Windows Components \ File Explorer
• Now locate the setting called Start File Explorer with Ribbon minimized in the right pane and double click it. The policy configuration window will open.
• Set the option to the "Enabled" state and pick the option below it which is suitable for you.

Update us with the result so we can further assist you.

 

Windows 10 File Explorer no longer shows Search ribbon during search

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



We understand the difficulties you are facing with the file explorer search ribbon. This is really unusual, as we have tried to reproduce the issue but was not able to get anything. In order to get clarity and to assist you accordingly, please reply
with the answers to the questions below.

• What is the Windows 10 version and Build installed? (Type
  winver in Windows search/Run command)
  
• Are you aware of any recent changes on the PC, prior to this issue?

However, we would suggest you to perform these methods and let us know the outcome.



Method 1: Reset file explorer to default.

1. Open file explore and select on View tab from the top ribbon.
   
2. Click on Option and select Change folder and search option.
   
3. In the new window select the view tab and click on Restore Default tab below
   
4. Click OK and re-launch file explorer.

Method 2: New user account

Check in new user account. Follow the steps from the article

Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10 to create a new user account and check if you are facing the same issue with the file explorer.



We await your response,



Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator