Forum Discussion
Expand folders in the Navigation Pane of Windows Explorer to open them
Update: **Issue with Windows Explorer Expand Feature**
Lately, I have encountered an issue with the Windows Explorer navigation pane's "Expand to Open Folder" setting. Despite having it enabled in the Options under View, it no longer functions as expected when navigating into folders like Documents, Pictures, Music, or Videos, or items pinned to Quick Access.
The feature still operates correctly when I explore This PC>C: or This PC>D:, but I can't directly access the Documents or Pictures folders without delving into the Users folder.
Current System Information:
- Windows Version: 22H2 (Build 22621.2428)
- Windows Feature Experience Pack: 1000.22674.1000.0
I have attempted to troubleshoot the issue by toggling the setting, applying changes, and resetting it without any success. I have also restarted my system to no avail.
2 Replies
This bug is very frustrating. I have noticed that shortcuts in Quick Access will not expand to current folder if the target folder is located under a folder in the user's profile. For example QA Pictures (directed to C:\Users\username\Pictures will not expand (also any shortcuts directed to subfolders under them) but QA created as: MyPictures, directed to D:\My Data\MyPictures, will expand.
So any QA shortcut directed to a folder under an item designated in Properties as Type: System Folder Location will not expand to current folder.
I believe you are referring to the "Expand to current folder" command in File Explorer.
This appears to be a widespread problem, affecting many users. The problem first occurred with Windows version 22H2, and the problem remains 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 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 your user folders) in the left navigation pane. As you say, it only works if you click on a quick access item that points to folders on the C:\ drive and other drives. Your only recourse for the time being is to choose the option to "Show all folders", which works, but is rather awkward to use.
Despite users' attempts to report the problem to Microsoft, there has not yet been any acknowledgment from Microsoft about this bug and whether a fix is planned. I can only suggest that users keep reporting this issue to Microsoft.
