Forum Discussion
Windows 11 File Explorer Ribbon
Hello to whom it may concern
The 22H2 has updated the file explorer ribbon and the print queue display in the lower right hand corner of the screen (by the time) when printing. Before the update we were able to revert the ribbon and the print queue display by using a register fix. Restore Windows 10 Ribbon in Windows 11 But since the 22H2 update it has disabled the fix and we are stuck with the windows 11 file explorer ribbon.
Can we get a fix to restore the file explorer ribbon and the print queue display( as its tooo huge to view print jobs).
Thank you
- I don't just 2nd the motion.. I 20TH the Motion!! Give us the button ribbon back. It's bad enough you are trying to make windows look like MacOS.. Which it ISN'T,, but to go completely, or nearly completely Iconic is INSAINE!.. I've owned and used every single version of windows from Win 3.11 on, save for NT and Server... Even Windows Millennium (Or Mooleanium if you prefer) is better than this pile of junk.. I'm sure glad it is only on the laptop.. This "Ultra Compact View" must be made an option instead of a de facto abasement. This is arbitrary and capricious of you all, and unacceptable.. The rest of the world and we older users definitely won't use it. I also note once again as per another user's comments.. OLD FOLK Can'T FiNd Anything with it like this!... It took me YEARS to educate my mother on how to use the PC effectively and even I... have to forego using the worthless excuse for an even Apple could do better ribbon, and I can't stand their system... and just use right click and other functions... This is the type of bonehead move that causes folks to leave a company's product lines...
QiSun "I'm sure glad it is only on the laptop."
Does this mean what it reads like — That on a Desktop the Explorer has a ribbon option (or it is the default)? I think this is the first time this has come up.
So where in the Registry is Laptop/Desktop determined? If I flip it, what else will change?
- I think laptop and desktop are treated the same, just PC.
Try https://www.startallback.com/ , it is does fix the problem. I understand they have updated. I must check it out.
QiSunI couldn't agree more, and what is worse, they will not even bother to communicate. Arogance beyond belief.
- Windows 11 is really less customizable.
- I have written this AHK (Auto Hot Key) script to get the classic ribbon back. You get a couple of windows flashing by because it uses the trick that the Control Panel still has the ribbon and you can go back once or twice to get to the File Explorer:
;Old Explorer for Windows 11
;Vincent Kruskal
#SingleInstance, Off
#NoEnv
#NoTrayIcon
Run, control
Sleep, 1500
Send, {Alt down}{Up}{Alt up}
Send, {Alt down}{Up}{Alt up}
return - Chiming in to complain about the Windows 11 File Explorer options. I just set up a Windows 11 computer for my elderly parents (moving from Windows 8.1), and was horrified that it is so hard to find the Print option in File Explorer! That's a basic function. Why is there no printer icon or Print option on the ribbon at the top? I thought people were more conscious of accessibility and ease of use these days. People who have just basic computer skills and/or have difficulty with change are going to really struggle. One of the main things my parents do on their computer is print photos from File Explorer. I was shocked there is no icon or word for Print on the ribbon, and not even under the "see more" three dots! Microsoft, PLEASE un-bury a basic function like Print! I can't imagine why someone thought it was a good idea to bury it in the second menu after a right click. When looking at thumbnails or list, the only way I can find to access Print is to right-click on an image, then select More Options, then select Print. When in photo preview mode, Print can be found under the "see more" three dots (still don't understand why there isn't a printer icon), but from there you can only print the current photo (not choose multiples). Printing photos from File Explorer shouldn't be so hard!
In file explorer for printing there is right click and look for printing or open the image with an image program and any image program has the option to print! I use for example and I really like Picasa 3.9 that you can find in Google!
- Such is the arrogance of Microsoft. Try https://www.startallback.com/ , it is a workaround and there is a small cost but it does work. Takes the stress away until the tsars come to their senses. Good luck.
This is a copy of my post on a different site. I am no tech, it's clunky but it WORKS. (for now)
For those who really want the old ribbon..
create a batch file in notepad something like this:
c:
cd c:\windows
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start "" C:\Windows\WinSxS\amd64_microsoft-windows-explorer_31bf3856ad364e35_10.0.22621.608_none_b3fd0d5042b63bbd\explorer.exe
exit 0
(the start command above is one long line)
Save to the desktop or wherever.
Create another one replacing the long command with:
start "" C:\Windows\explorer.exe
Save as "Exporg.bat" or whatever you like.
The first batch will end explorer and open it again only now the ribbon will appear in all instances when you open them.
The second batch will do the same in reverse, restoring the new ribbon. You can add the first batch to the "startup" folder and it works fine. Classic Shell works fine with both. The only downside for me is that "explorer patcher" gets kicked out with the old ribbon which means there is no context menu on the taskbar on right-click. But it is easy enough to swap back and forth using the batch files.
This has been improved upon to autostart as the first instance in the following link
https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/get-back-windows-10-ribbon-ui-windows-11/#22h2
by replacing the shell value in the registry instead. YAY
- Hello "Stratmanshow"!
I applied Method 2 from your link and it worked ok for a while but at some point I got a "Black Screen" on the "Desktop" and I ended up reinstalling Windows 11 and a week later I had the "Black Screen" again and the second time I found this solution(time 02:00) and applied method 2 again, but the method is ok!
https://youtu.be/KRhAZid6zSE
- I need this fix. Not everyone is scared of "seeing too many words". I don't want to do more clicks, on smaller icons, to accomplish the same basic tasks.
- If it ain't broke, Don't Fix It
- allways liked that motto
- Oh deep joy. Just downloaded Startallback and it works a treat.
https://www.startallback.com/
It is a workaround, and I would prefer it if Microsoft would do the right thing, but, hey ho, it works.
- And I think that we should have the possibility to choose what kind of ribbon we use because I think that the ribbon from win 10 was more practical. There is a proverb that says that "'Better' is the evil of the good!"
- Hi Microsoft,
I like everyone else cannot stand the new explorer ribbon. It has reduced my productivity and made it more difficult to find things that were readily visible before. Please at least give us a choice which explorer ribbon we would like to use. Thanks
