How to re-enable the "Expand to Open Folder" option?

Anonymous
2023-09-30T15:30:03+00:00

In the "File Explorer", "Expand to Open Folder" option is not working. This happend after updating "2023-09 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5030310)". How to re-enable the "Expand to Open Folder" option?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-06-24T18:08:51+00:00

    This is what I've found when I've been experimenting.

    NOT A SOLUTION

    Tested with:

    Win11_24H2_English_x64.iso

    Windows11_InsiderPreview_Client_x64_en-us_27774.iso

    Note:

    The problem occurs in Win11 22H2 any time a *later* package than KB5031354 (22621.2428) is installed.

    Every version of Windows 11 23H2 or Windows 11 24H2 has the problem.

    This includes the latest (as of now) June 2025 update 26100.4351

    Tested on Insider Preview 27774.1000

    The problem seems to be present on any version of the updated File Explorer using WinUI.

    Assuming a clean, up-to-date install is used in all cases.

    No software added other than via Windows Update.

    Test

    ====

    1. In File Manager, click ... , Options, View, Select "Expand to open folder" and "Show all folders" then Apply
    2. Create a Folder on C: drive (eg. C:\Test)
    3. Right-click on the directory and "Pin to Start"
    4. Click on the shortcut to C:\Test in the Start menu
    5. The Title Bar indicates "> This PC > Local Disk (C:) > Test". The Left Pane has "Desktop" highlighted and C:\Test is not expanded (incorrect behavior)

    Now the weird bit.

    1. Create a subdirectory under C:\Test (eg. C:\Test\New Folder)
    2. Click on the shortcut to C:\Test in the Start menu
    3. File Manager now opens and expands to C:\Test (correct behavior)

    Conclusion

    ==========

    I don't suggest adding a subdirectory to every folder you use, that's ridiculous.

    Maybe a bug in the way that the folders are addressed, a missing '' at the end of the folder call function?

    I've seen the Open File dialog have the same issue and when working with a lot of files it becomes frustrating, CTRL-SHIFT-E aside.

    After so long (18+ months) a fix by Microsoft seems to be becoming less and less likely.

    If people think this is a good assessment, please try to push it through the Feedback Hub.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-10-31T15:13:08+00:00

    Awesome! Thank you!

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-10-31T11:31:08+00:00

    Thanks for this!! Still hoping they fix it sometime in the future though.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-20T15:54:46+00:00

    You can bypass this by adding Desktop / Downloads etc to your libraries and then unpinning all the quick access folders. These same folders can be in libraries which does allow you to expand them in the left pane afterwards.

    It seems only the quick access folders cannot expand, so I added them to libraries and then unpinned all quick access folders. It now looks clean and functional like before.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-10-20T07:18:10+00:00

    Anyone has found a solution?

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