Windows 10: Folders on desktop - how to keep navigation pane not following last state of file explorer?

Hi

On my XP I have nicely organized folders, and folders inside folders for what I use all the time.

Each folder is individually set with icons and no navigation pane - compact and nice look.


But both on Windows 7 and now just got a Windows 10 laptop the other day - this is gone.

Who came up with this brilliant idea to remove such a nice feature?


When using File Explorer I always have navigation pane on, but want for folders on desktop to keep it's setting being compact and nice for the purpose of holding icons to quickly reach software I use all the time.


You keep settings like if icons or not, but not if navigation pane state is on or off.


To me this is a hole in the head, who came up with this idea?

It takes up the full desktop space to open a folder, if file explorer had navigation on last time used.


Why is navigation pane a global setting and not individually set?


I searched high and low on internet if a solution, but only find people as frustrated as I am.


Regards

Lars

:)

 

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

 

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.

 

How to add custom folders to File Explorer > Navigation Pane > Desktop


After installing Dropbox, I notice that there's now a custom link to the Dropbox folder in my File Explorer > Navigation Pane > Desktop list (see screenshot below).

Does anyone know how I can add such (sym?)links to other directories on the computer?

Specifically looking for ways to add to list in the "Desktop" section of Navigation Pane... not the "Quick access" list.





My thinking is... I'd like to consolidate shortcuts to my custom cloud storage folders. Right now there's OneDrive (built in to W10) and Dropbox, and I'd like to add similar links for my Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive, etc. directories. Trying to have them all appear together under "Desktop", rather than split between Desktop and Quick Access.