How to Make Folder Band Auto-Hidden in Windows Vista Explorer?



Here are screenshots:

Auto-Hidden Folder Band:

After Hovering Mouse over Folder Band:

To make the "Folder Band" Auto-hide in Windows Explorer, you'll have to edit the "Shellstyle.dll" file which you can get in your currently used theme folder. For example, if you are using default Window Vista theme, then you'll get the "Shellstyle.dll" file in following directory:

%windir%\Resources\Themes\Aero\Shell\NormalColor

So here is a step-by-step tutorial:

1. First open the "Shellstyle.dll" file in Resource Hacker.
2. Goto "UIFILE -> 1 -> 1033".
3. Press <Ctrl>+F or click on "View -> Find Text...".
4. Now type "<style resid="FolderBandStyle">" (without quotes) in "Find what" textbox.
5. It'll let you go to following line:

<style resid="FolderBandStyle">
<Element
background="argb(0, 0, 0, 0)"
/>

Now press <Enter> after "<style resid="FolderBandStyle">" line and add following line:

<if mousefocused="false" mousewithin="false"><Element
padding="rect(0rp,0rp,0rp,-28rp)"/></if>

So now it'll look like following:

<style resid="FolderBandStyle">
<if mousefocused="false" mousewithin="false"><Element
padding="rect(0rp,0rp,0rp,-28rp)"/></if>
<Element
background="argb(0, 0, 0, 0)"
/>

6. Thats it. Now click on "Compile Script" button and then save the file.
7. Log off or restart to see the changes.

Now Folder band will be auto-hidden and whenever you'll hove the mouse over it, it'll appear.

Credits goes to U.K.Intel...



This article was posted in Resource Hacker, Windows Vista.

Subscribe to RSS Feed | Email Newsletter | More Articles

Related Articles

Popular Articles



22 Comments

  • I'm just wondering if its possible to do the same to address bar, as i'm using another address, and it seems a bit pointless to have both on display.
    Cheers

  • VG

    ^^ Sorry but atm its not possible No known way to do it.

  • OK cheers, at least i know

  • it worked...but i notice you can still see about 2 px of the folderband...it doesn´t hide completly...it will be grate if you can fix it to hide completly...thanks

  • It doesn' t work for me.
    I can' t overwrite original shellstyle.dll .

  • It worked as a charm. It's a nice thing I guess but...personally I don't like it this way 'cause I have to really point the black line (of the Folder band) in order to get it showing. Now...how do I get it back the way it was? Thanks VG

  • VG

    ^^ Remove those extra lines from the file and save it again. OR if you took a backup, then restore it.

  • VG THANKS!!!!

  • Hey, The "resource hacker" is meant for 32 bit vista. Is there a way to get this working on 64 bit vista?

  • Actually, i found a program that will do it. http://www.bome.com/Restorator/
    Will the trial version get the job done?

Add a Comment

NOTE: If you can't see your comment, please be patient. It'll appear as soon as we approve it.


Create an avatar that will appear with your comment.