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Windows XP and Explorer - Remove or Display the Left Pane Common Tasks

SUMMARY: Toggle viewing the Windows XP common task display.

Normally, Explorer folders in Windows XP contain two panes - the right pane contains the list of files on your system, and the left pane contains common tasks (the screenshot to the left is an example).

"Common tasks" may be actions such as copying photos to a CD if you are in a pictures folder, playing all music songs if you are in a songs folder, or making a new folder if you are in a default folder.

While some users may find these tasks convenient, others may want to hide these items to use the entire window to display filenames.

To hide the folder tasks:

1. Open a folder in Windows XP's Explorer.

2. Click "Tools", then "Folder Options".

3. When the multi-tabbed "Folder Options" dialog box appears, click the "General" tab.

4. Click the radio button "Use Windows Classic Folders".

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

To enable the folder tasks:

Perform steps 1-5 as noted above, but instead of clicking the "Use Windows Classic Folders" radio button, click the "Show common tasks in folders" radio button.