"Offering free computer help, hints, and tips to the Internet populace." Now with over 3,820 tips!

Windows 7

Show Menu Bar in Explorer Folders

SUMMARY: If you are used to seeing a menu bar when working with Explorer folders, enable it in Windows 7.

If you have worked with earlier versions of Windows such as Windows XP and previous, you probably used the menu bar when working with Explorer folders.

By default, Windows 7 disables the menu bar as most all functionality is easily available via other on-screen controls. However, if you'd like to enable the menu bar for Explorer folders, do the following:

Displaying the menu bar in a Windows 7 Explorer folder

On a temporary basis:

Press the Alt key to temporarily show the menu bar. After you make a selection it will disappear.

Permanently:

1. Click the Start button, type folder options and click the "Folder Options" link that appears.

Accessing Folder Options from the Windows 7 Start button

2. When the "Folder Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, click the "View" tab.

3. Underneath "Advanced Settings", check "Always Show Menus".

4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

This tip was written for Windows 7 RC. Screenshots and information are subject to change between this and the official release of Windows 7.