Forum Discussion
"Expand to current folder" doesn't work in File Explorer (Windows 11 versions 22H2, 23H2 and 24H2)
The "Expand to current folder" command in File Explorer in Windows 11 does not work for most Quick Access items in the navigation pane.
Is Microsoft aware of this issue, and if so, when do we expect a fix this problem?
The bug appears to be a widespread problem report by many users over the past year or so. The problem first occurred with Windows version 22H2, and still exists even with the latest update, Windows version 24H2. The recently monthly updates have not resolved this issue either. Although the February 2025 update is supposed to introduce important fixes to File Explorer, there is no mention on Microsoft's Update website about a fix to the "Expand to current folder" bug.
I only recently purchased a new computer several months ago and right away I noticed the problem. The "Expand to current folder" command simply doesn't work anymore for any of the quick access items (i.e., Documents, Pictures, Music, etc., and one's user folders) in the left navigation pane. It only works if one clicks on Quick Access items that points to folders on the C:\ drive and other drives. The only recourse for the time being is to choose the option to "Show all folders", which works, but is rather awkward to use and has its own issues.
Despite users' attempts to report the problem to Microsoft, it seems there has not yet been any acknowledgment from Microsoft about this bug and whether a fix is planned.
If other users are experiencing this same issue, I can only suggest that users report this issue to Microsoft.
It's rather unfortunate that the "Expand to current folder" doesn't work anymore like it did in Windows 10. It was very useful and saved a lot of time.
It's highly likely that Microsoft is aware of the bug. Issues reported by many users generally get flagged. However, the official acknowledgment might not be explicit through a public statement or a specific mention in update notes.
6 Replies
Why is this marked as solved? This is not solved.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/expand-to-open-folder-stopped-working-in-win-11/98d5ce3f-97b0-4151-a5a0-226fd433beeb
I can't even find anything remotely related to it within the feedback hub to vote on given the feedback hub search indexing is so terrible.Unbelievable... and it's September 2025, and still not fixed. I keep getting nudged to get new PC's to run Windows 11 because my other PC's are eligible for Windows 11 upgrades, but they run Windows 10, and the File Explorer works much better.
It's highly likely that Microsoft is aware of the bug. Issues reported by many users generally get flagged. However, the official acknowledgment might not be explicit through a public statement or a specific mention in update notes.
Hi Kaydenyo,
Thanks for your reply. I hope the issue will be addressed by Microsoft. This has gone on for about 2 years.
I seem to recall that Microsoft recently advertised and hired programmers to work on File Explorer in Windows 11 to fix a variety of performance issues, remove bugs, and implement the tabbed user interface. File Explorer has come a long way, regardless.
The "Expand to current folder" feature is something that is familiar to all Windows 10 users. And those users expect the same feature to work in Windows 11. I only switched to Windows 11 back in November after I purchased my computer to replace a 15 year old laptop. Funny how breaking just one useful little feature can generate a huge disappointment.
MS keeps taking away all the useful features like this one as well as the resizable taskbar..Its a pain to use Win11 taskbar with all real estate remaining unused and all icons getting combined. Then outlook messages are a pain to read on laptops especially when the reading pane is set as 'below'. So much real estate goes waste in just the mail header while the mail body is not viewable or only displays a single line max. I think MS is aware of all these issues but they are lazy to fix
