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Windows 7

Automatically Expand to the Current Folder in Navigation Pane of Explorer Windows

SUMMARY: Force Windows 7 to expand the directory tree to the current folder when showing the Navigation Pane in Explorer folders.

Depending on your configuration, when you open Explorer folders in Windows 7 and show the Navigation Pane, this area may show shortcuts to your Favorites, Libraries, Computer, and Network. However, it may not expand the hard drive's directory tree to show the current folder. This could be useful if you are navigating folders and subfolders, or if you need to move content from inside a deeply-nested folder elsewhere on the hard drive.

To change this behavior, do the following:


Default behavior in Windows 7: Note the Navigation Pane does not expand to the Internet Explorer folder




Modified behavior in Windows 7: Note the Navigation Pane has expanded to the location of the Internet Explorer folder, located in C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer



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, make sure the "General" tab is selected.

3. Underneath "Navigation pane", check "Automatically expand to current folder".

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.

Return to the Windows 7 page.

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The MalekTips website was created in 1998 by Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. The page's goal is to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles. Tips are organized to be easy to find, and are presented clearly, in easy-to-understand language. MalekTips also provides information and links to public-domain, open source, freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download. < more >