How to Auto-Hide Command Bar (aka Folder Band) in Windows Vista and 7 Explorer?

This tutorial has been updated with new method and screenshots.

Recently an AskVG reader "Nick C" asked following question via e-mail:

Is there a way to hide the 'organize' bar in windows 7 explorer? I can hide everything else, but unlike Vista there isn't an option to hide that bar.

Its not the first time we received this query. Lots of people want to hide the Command Bar aka Folder Band in Windows Vista and 7 Explorer so that they can get more free space in the Explorer window.

Today in this tutorial, we'll tell you how to set the Command Bar auto-hidden in Explorer window. In this way, it'll only appear when you hover your mouse cursor over it as shown in following screenshots:

Auto-Hidden Command Bar aka Folder Band:

Command Bar aka Folder Band appears upon hovering mouse cursor:

To make the Command Bar auto-hidden, you'll have to edit the "Shellstyle.dll" file which is present in Theme directory.

For example, if you are using default Window Aero theme, you'll get the "Shellstyle.dll" file in following directory:

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

You just need to follow these simple steps to make Command Bar auto-hidden:

1. Open "Shellstyle.dll" file in Resource Hacker.

2. Now go to "UIFILE -> 1 -> 1033".

3. Press <Ctrl>+F or click on "View -> Find Text..." option and type following in "Find what" textbox:

<style resid="FolderBandStyle">

4. It'll go to following line of code:

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

5. Now add following code after <style resid="FolderBandStyle"> line:

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

So that it'll look as 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. Now click on "Compile Script" button and save the file.

7. Log off or restart to see the changes OR re-apply the theme.

PS: This method will work for all 3rd party themes as well. Simply modify the "Shellstyle.dll" file present in custom theme folder.

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This article was posted in 7 Themes, Resource Hacker, Vista Themes, Windows 7, Windows Vista.

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24 Comments

James

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.
James

OK cheers, at least i know
sisiphus

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
hc

It doesn' t work for me.
I can' t overwrite original shellstyle.dll .
Pardaillan32

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.
SkylineRSX

VG THANKS!!!!
Danief

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

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