How to Restore Classic Details Pane in Windows 11 File Explorer

Newer versions of Windows 11 come with a redesigned File Explorer which contains new modernized Details Pane. This article will help you in bringing back the classic Details Pane along with classic File Explorer in Windows 11 operating system.

Following image shows both new modernized Details Pane and old classic Details Pane side-by-side for easier comparison:

Left-side of the image shows the new modern Details Pane and the right-side shows the good old classic Details Pane available in Windows 11 File Explorer.

The classic Details Pane present in older versions of Windows 11 was faster and displayed mode details about the selected file. The new modernized Details Pane is a little bit slower compared to the old Details Pane and shows less details about the selected item.

PS: The Details Pane can be easily turned on/off by pressing ALT+SHIFT+P keys together in File Explorer. ALT+P hotkey can be used to turn on/off Preview Pane in File Explorer.

Microsoft introduced the new Details Pane in Windows 11 Moment 4 Update (4th feature drop) and Windows 11 23H2 (2023 Update). These new versions of Windows 11 come with a redesigned File Explorer which has been developed using WinUI 3. The new File Explorer is also known as Windows App SDK version of File Explorer.

If you don’t like the new modernized Details Pane and want to restore classic Details Pane in your Windows 11 device, here is a good news for you.

Although Microsoft has replaced the classic Details Pane with new redesigned Details Pane in Windows 11, the old Details Pane is still present in Windows 11 and can be accessed using a simple hidden secret trick as shown in following screenshot:

Above image shows classic File Explorer with classic Details Pane running in our Windows 11 device with latest updates installed.

If you also want to enjoy classic Details Pane and classic File Explorer in Windows 11, following steps will help you:

Use Control Panel or Admin Tools to Access Classic File Explorer with Details Pane

This is the easiest and fastest way to launch and use classic File Explorer with classic Details Pane in Windows 11. Although Microsoft has added a new modernized File Explorer in Windows 11, the operating system still contains the old File Explorer and classic Details Pane.

To access the old File Explorer, you can follow any of following steps:

Option 1: Open File Explorer, click on UP button in toolbar or press ALT+UP Arrow keys on keyboard. Now double-click on Control Panel icon. It’ll open Control Panel window. Again click on the UP button on the toolbar and you have launched the old File Explorer with classic Details Pane in Windows 11. Now you can navigate between drives and folders using navigation pane.

Option 2: Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type Control and press Enter. It’ll open Control Panel window. Click on the UP button on the toolbar and it’ll launch the old File Explorer with classic Details Pane in Windows 11. Now you can navigate between drives and folders using navigation pane.

Option 3: Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type control admintools and press Enter. It’ll open Windows Tools window using the old File Explorer with classic Details Pane. Now you can navigate between drives and folders using navigation pane.

PS: For quick and easy access, you can create direct shortcut of control or control admintools on Desktop or pin the icon to Taskbar.

Opening File Explorer using control or control admintools command will always launch it in classic mode with classic Details Pane functionality.

We posted about this trick long time back in following article:

[Fun Tip] Run Old and New File Explorer Side-by-Side in Windows 11

Enable and Restore Classic Windows 7/10 File Explorer in Windows 11

If you want a perfect classic File Explorer experience in your Windows 11 device, you can permanently disable the new File Explorer and enable classic File Explorer using following guide:

How to Restore or Enable Classic File Explorer in Windows 11 (All Versions)

You’ll be able to bring back Windows 7 style command bar or Windows 10 style ribbon toolbar in your Windows 11 File Explorer.

BONUS TIP: Install Classic Theme and UI in Windows 11

We have also released an exclusive classic theme for Windows 11 which restores classic UI elements such as title bar buttons, scroll bar, etc in Windows 11.

You can download and install the theme from following article:

Enable Classic Theme and UI in Windows 11 Using AskVG Theme

After following above mentioned methods, you’ll have a clean and classic UI experience in Windows 11 File Explorer along with classic Details Pane.

Also Check:

How to Restore or Enable Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 (All Versions)

How to Restore or Enable Old Classic Start Menu in Windows 11 (All Versions)