How to Expand or Minimize the Windows Explorer "Ribbon" in Windows 8

   Information

The new ribbon in Windows Explorer in Windows 8 contains the most commonly used items for file and folder management.

This will show you how to have the new ribbon expanded or minimized when Windows Explorer is opened in Windows 8.

OPTION ONE

To Expand or Minimize Ribbon from within Windows Explorer

   Note

This option can be used by a user to expand (show) or minimize (hide) the ribbon in Windows Explorer. When a user opens Windows Explorer next, it will open with the ribbon set the same way as Windows Explorer was last closed. OPTION TWO and OPTION THREE below will override the setting in this option.

1. When you have Windows Explorer open. (see screenshot below)





2. Do steps 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 below for how you would like to have the Windows Explorer "Ribbon" set as.


3. By Using a Keyboard Shortcut in Windows Explorer

A) In Windows Explorer, press the CTRL+F1 keys to toggle the ribbon bar to be minimized or expanded.

4. By Right Clicking on the Toolbar in Windows Explorer

A) Right click on the toolbar in Windows Explorer, and click on Minimize the Ribbon to uncheck (expand) or check (minimize) the ribbon. (see screenshot below)

5. By Clicking on the Toolbar Arrow in Windows Explorer

A) Click on the arrow at the far right on the toolbar in Windows Explorer to toggle the ribbon to be minimized or expanded. (see screenshot below)

6. By Using the Quick Access Toolbar Menu in Windows Explorer

A) Click on the "Quick Access" drop down menu arrow, and click on Minimize the Ribbon to uncheck (expand) or check (minimize) the ribbon. (see screenshot below)

7. By Clicking on Ribbon Tabs in Windows Explorer

A) While the ribbon is minimized, you can still click on the ribbon tabs to use the options in that ribbon tab. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: When you click on a option in the opened ribbon tab, or click on anything else in Windows 8, the ribbon will automatically minimize again.

B) If you like, you can click on the small pin icon to have the ribbon stay expanded. (see screenshot below)

C) Double clicking on any ribbon tab (ex: Home, Share, View, Manage, etc.) will toggle the ribbon to always be minimized or expanded. (see screenshot below)

OPTION TWO

To Use a REG File Download to Always have Windows Explorer open with Ribbon Minimized

   Note

You must be logged in as an administrator to use this option. This will affect all users on the computer, and will override whatever any user has set in OPTION ONE above. This does the same thing as in OPTION THREE below, but using a REG file instead of group policy to do it.

If enabled, users will still be able to unminimize the ribbon while in Windows Explorer to use the ribbon, but the ribbon will still always be minimized when Windows Explorer is opened next.

1. To Not Always "Start Windows Explorer with Ribbon minimized" for All Users

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Windows_Explorer_Ribbon_Bar_Not-Always_Minimzed.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Always "Start Windows Explorer with Ribbon minimized" for All Users

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Windows_Explorer_Ribbon_Bar_Always_Minimzed.reg

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the extracted .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on to apply.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION THREE

Use Local Group Policy Editor to Always have Windows Explorer open with Ribbon Minimized

   Note

You must be logged in as an administrator to use this option. This will affect all users on the computer, and will override whatever any user has set in OPTION ONE above. This does the same thing as in OPTION TWO above, but using group policy instead of a REG fileto do it.

If enabled, users will still be able to unminimize the ribbon while in Windows Explorer to use the ribbon, but the ribbon will still always be minimized when Windows Explorer is opened next.

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Windows Explorer. (see screenshot below)





3. In the right pane, double click on Start Windows Explorer with Ribbon minimized. (see screenshot above)


4. Do either step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do.


5. To Not Always "Start Windows Explorer with Ribbon minimized" for All Users

A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 7)
NOTE: Not configured is the default setting.

B) Go to step 7.

6. To Always "Start Windows Explorer with Ribbon minimized" for All Users

A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 7)

7. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)






8. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.



That's it,
Shawn

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