How to Hide or Show Windows 10 Navigation Pane from File Explorer?

Windows 10 Navigation Pane

The good news for you is that you can easily show or hide the navigation pane from your Windows Explorer anytime. There are a few easy steps that you need to follow to manage the Windows 10 navigation pane.

Many users may not like the navigation pane (image below) on the left hand side of the Windows 10 File Explorer.

Users might wish to remove this from File Explorer (This PC), also known as My Computer on previous versions of Windows.

navigation pane in windows 10

Show or Hide Navigation Pane

This article will show you how to add or remove the Navigation Pane of File Explorer for all users in Windows 10.

You have to be signed in as an Administrator to be able to go through the settings below. We will be using two different methods to show or hide the navigation pane from the Windows file explorer.

Method 1 – From Windows File Explorer Ribbon

Step 1. Open File Explorer (This PC).

Double-click on This PC Icon on your Desktop to open File Explorer. If you don’t see This PC icon on your desktop screen, then click the article below:

[Read: Add “This PC” Icon on Windows 10 Desktop]

add this pc icon on desktop

Step 2. Once the File Explorer opens, click on the View Tab (Alt+V) then, click on the Navigation Pane button in the ribbon. Click on Navigation pane.

  • Uncheck it, to Hide the Navigation Pane
  • Check this out to Show the Navigation Pane

hide navigation pane

Step 3. It will have an immediate effect on your computer. It does not require restarting or the log-off of your computer.

Check the below screenshot of the removed Navigation Pane in File Explorer.

show or hide navigation pane

Method 2 – Using a REG file

First, download the below REG files to your desktop screen:

Hide_Navigation_pane_in_File_Explorer.reg

Show_Navigation_pane_in_File_Explorer.reg

To Hide Navigation Pane in File Explorer, open Hide_Navigation_pane_in_File_Explorer.reg
To Show Navigation Pane in File Explorer, open Hide_Navigation_pane_in_File_Explorer.reg

Double click on the .reg file to open it or merge with Windows registry.

Click on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to continue with the merge process. If you currently have File Explorer open, then close and open or navigate to another folder to apply.

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