Windows 11 File Explorer Bug, Navigation Pane Option Disappears from Toolbar Menu

Here is an interesting bug present in Windows 11 which I encountered today while using the File Explorer in Windows 11. This bug is related to an option “Navigation Pane” which can be found in “View” menu present on the toolbar in Windows 11 File Explorer. Due to a strange bug present in Windows 11 File Explorer, sometimes the option “Navigation Pane” automatically disappears from the “View” menu in the toolbar.

In this article, I’ll provide step-by-step instructions to recreate this bug in Windows 11.

Following screenshot shows the bug live in action in Windows 11 File Explorer:

You can see in the above screenshot, the option “Navigation Pane” is no longer present under the “Show” menu. Generally the option is shown above the “Details Pane” option. You can clearly see a separator is showing at the top of the menu but the “Navigation Pane” option is missing.

Here are the steps to reproduce this bug in Windows 11 File Explorer:

STEP 1: Enable “This PC” View in File Explorer

This bug appears when we open the File Explorer in “This PC” view in Windows 11. By default, the File Explorer opens in Quick Access view showing recently used files and folders. Since I use File Explorer in This PC view, I encountered this bug.

To enable “This PC” view, do as following:

• Open File Explorer in Windows 11, click on 3-dots menu button present on the toolbar and select Options.
• It’ll open Folder Options window. Select “This PC” option from the drop-down box given at the top and apply changes.

Now close File Explorer window and re-open it.

Now File Explorer should open in This PC view directly.

STEP 2: Select “View -> Show” Menu in File Explorer Toolbar

Now in File Explorer window, click on “View” menu present on the toolbar and then select “Show” menu.

That’s it. You’ll notice that the “Navigation Pane” option is not showing in the “Show” menu.

This is the bug!

STEP 3: Toggle “Compact View” Option to Re-enable Navigation Pane Option

I found that if we toggle “Compact View” option (enable or disable) present under “View” menu, it immediately adds the missing “Navigation Pane” option in the menu.

STEP 4: Open a Drive or Folder and Go Back to This PC to Re-Add Navigation Pane Option

Similarly, if you browse to any drive or folder and go back to This PC, the “Navigation Pane” option comes back to the menu.

STEP 5: Take a Screenshot and Navigation Pane Option Appears Magically

This is the best part of this bug! When you open This PC and go to “View -> Show” menu and the Navigation Pane option doesn’t show, press WIN+PrtScn keys together to take a screenshot and the Navigation Pane option will appear immediately in the menu.

As soon as you close File Explorer window and re-launch it, the “Navigation Pane” option disappears again.

So basically the bug appears when you open File Explorer in This PC mode in Windows 11. Somehow the “Navigation Pane” option is not shown in the “View” menu and if we change a few things as mentioned above, the File Explorer starts showing the missing option again.

Exclusive Video Featuring File Explorer Bug in Windows 11

Following video shows the bug live in action for your viewing pleasure:

Also Check:

[Bug] Scrollbar in Context Menu Crashes Windows 11 Explorer

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