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

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.

6. Create a subdirectory under C:\Test (eg. C:\Test\New Folder)
7. Click on the shortcut to C:\Test in the Start menu
8. 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.

That has NOT worked for me. NONE of the suggestions in this thread have worked. If I try to expand a folder in the left pane, it does NOT expand in the same folder. ctrl-shift-E does not expand the folders in the left pane.

I have 24H2, and my Navigation pane is looking as expected. It contains Documents, Home, and other quick access folders. If I expand "Home" I see Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and other quick access folders.

In addition to "Show all folders" I also enabled "Expand to open folder"

My configuration:

File Explorer > ... > Options > View tab > Navigation pane >

Unchecked: Always show availability status

Checked: Expand to open folder

Checked: Show all folders

Unchecked: Show libraries

Unchecked: Show network

Checked: Show This PC

Show all folders in addition to Expand to open folder actually seems to work (ensuring that the open folder is always expanded in the left pane) on 23H2 (I have not had the courage to install 24H2 yet due to the flood of bugs; they tried to force-install it, so I force-stopped it).

It was an option I had tried before, but it didn't give the expected result until now. The interaction between these two settings is somewhat obscure, but that's par for the course with Microsoft. Microsoft makes simple things complicated.

Have you tried this, if you enable both of the checkboxes below, does the Navigation panel then Expand to current folder when you click on a shortcut to open the folder? It expands for me on Windows 11 24H2 if I enable both options.

File Explorer > click the ... menu > Options > View tab > scroll down to Navigation pane >

Check the box: Expand to open folder

Check the box: Show all folders

I have 24H2, and my Navigation pane is looking as expected. It contains Documents, Home, and other quick access folders. If I expand "Home" I see Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and other quick access folders.

In addition to "Show all folders" I also enabled "Expand to open folder"

My configuration:

File Explorer > ... > Options > View tab > Navigation pane >

Unchecked: Always show availability status

Checked: Expand to open folder

Checked: Show all folders

Unchecked: Show libraries

Unchecked: Show network

Checked: Show This PC