Windows 10: In File Explorer Highlight and Leave Active ONLY The File Name Itself

In File Explorer in Windows 10 I want to have inactive white space to the right of file/folder names. And I want it globally. What I mean is this:

I do not want to have the area to the right of a file or folder name to be active like it presently is. Presently the area to the right of any file/folder name is highlighted when I hover over that area, and it is thus an active area, where clicking there opens the file or folder to the left (I use single-click functionality). And that area to the right of any file/folder name is active for the full width of the longest file/folder name in that column in that window. I don't want the area to the right of file/folder names to be active like that at all.

In short, and using a specific example, where the blue highlighting in the image below is blue all the way across the line on which the "Documents" text file appears (the blue highlighting being as wide as the folder titled "Backup of My Documents Folder" at the top of that column), I'd like that area to the right of the file name itself to be, instead, inactive and solely white (empty) space (where clicking there does nothing other than to unselect items that otherwise might be highlighted).

Stated differently, if I were to click where the mouse hand icon appears in the below image, I want that to be inactive white space that does not open the file to its left.

How do I configure Windows 10 to set up that as a default, universal behavior? (You're speaking to a dummy here; I'll need step-by-step guidance). Thank you in advance!

Attachment 227345

:)

 

Recent File List

Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file1

Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file2
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file3
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file4
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file5
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file6
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file7
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file8
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file9
...

you get the idea. ( too lazy to put it in a for loop and test it.

or just open regedit and remove all the fileX from that key.

 

Unable to highlight files in File Explorer

Hi Ken,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

We regret the inconvenience caused to you.

I suggest you to run System file checker. System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.

Follow the below steps:

• Press Windows key + X, select Command prompt (Admin) to bring up elevated Command prompt.
• In Command prompt type sfc/scannow and press enter.
• Restart the computer.

Also, see: Fix Windows corruption errors by using the DISM or System Update Readiness tool.

(Applies to Windows 10 as well)

Hope it helps.

 

Windows 10 File Explorer doesn't highlight selected file(s) or folder(s)

https://appuals.com/file-explorer-wont-highlight-files-in-windows-10/

In the above post Method 2: Restart File Explorer from Task Manager worked for me.

• Press “Windows + X” Keys and then choose “Task Manager” from the list.
• Under “Apps”, find “Windows Explorer”.
• Right click on it and select “Restart”.