Windows 11 Browse For Folder Dialog Issue - Only Desktop

Found the fix: Disable OneDrive sync for the desktop folder

Note: Before proceeding, copy the files in those special folders to another folder or external drive. Please don’t copy them anywhere under Desktop/Documents/Pictures. This is because disabling OneDrive backup for a folder erases the local copies of the files. Copying them to a different location beforehand will ensure that you don’t need to download them again from the OneDrive cloud.

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the Notification area and click Settings.
2. Select the Backup tab, and click Manage Backup
3. In the Manage folder backup dialog, click on the “Stop backup” link for “Desktop.”
4. Click Stop backup in the confirmation dialog that appears.

The Browse For Folder dialog should now populate the items correctly!

Source: https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/browse-for-folder-dialog-empty-in-windows-11/

In several programs, when I need to set a folder location for example, and open the Browse Dialog, I'm only shown the Desktop folder. I can't access any folder outside of "Desktop". It doesn't make a difference to run the programs as admin.

Specs:

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Version 22H2

Installed on ‎21/‎09/‎2022

OS build 22623.730

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22636.1000.0

This update https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/december-13-2022-kb5021255-os-build-22621-963-8286ffb4-d1a6-4510-b637-5414e64d7da3 does not address this issue.

Now, nobody has mentioned the fact that when you stop saving the Desktop on One Drive, it is somehow released, and you can save to any folder selected for whichever program or app you are using. So, if you are using One Drive, just stop saving the Desktop and see what happens when you browse for a folder in Browse for Folder. It is a work around, meaning if you want to keep saving your Desktop files and folder to One Drive, you have to re-enable it to save. The setting will stay once you select that folder.

It seems to be a bug in Windows.FileExplorer.Common.dll. OneDrive may not be the culprit.

Glad that helped and thanks for the feedback, BillU87.

I hope it works for JérômePirotte (the Original Poster), as well.

That was the fix for me as well! As with retate's situation, my settings had never changed, so it must have been an issue with a Windows update. I actually have two instances of OneDrive. One is for my personal account on which I really don't put anything import. The other is a business version containing anything important. Removing My Desktop from OneDrive sync fixed the issue.

Thanks for your analysis and assistance!

Kind regards.