How to Enable or Disable the File Explorer "Details Pane" in Windows 8 and 8.1
Information
You can use the details pane in File Explorer to see the most common properties associated with the selected file. File properties are information about a file, such as the author, the date you last changed the file, and any descriptive tags you might have added to the file.
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the ability to show or hide the details pane in File Explorer for specific or all users in Windows 8.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the ability to show or hide the details pane in File Explorer for specific or all users in Windows 8.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
EXAMPLE: Details Pane "Always hide" (disabled) or "Always Show" in File Explorer
OPTION ONE
Enable or Disable ability to Show or Hide "Details Pane" using a REG File
Note
The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NoPreviewPane DWORD
0 = default not configured
1 = disable
2 = enable
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NoPreviewPane DWORD
0 = default not configured
1 = disable
2 = enable
1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for what you would like to do.
2. To Enable File Explorer "Details Pane" for Only Current User
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
W8_Enable_Details_Pane.reg
B) Go to step 5 below.
3. To Disable and "Always Hide" File Explorer "Details Pane" for Only Current User
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
W8_Disable_Details_Pane.reg
B) Go to step 5 below.
4. To Enable and "Always Show" File Explorer "Details Pane" Only Current User
NOTE: This option will also disable the ability to turn on the Preview Pane.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
W8_Always_Enable_Details_Pane.reg
B) Go to step 5 below.
5. Save the .reg file to the desktop.
6. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.
7. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.
8. Sign out and in, or restart explorer to apply.
9. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
OPTION TWO
Enable or Disable ability to Show or Hide "Details Pane" in Group Policy
NOTE: This option for using group policy is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.
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/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, File Explorer, and open Explorer Frame Pane. (see screenshot below)
3. In the right pane of Explorer Frame Pane, double click/tap on Turn off details pane. (see screenshot above)
4. Do step 5, 6, or 7 below for what you would like to do.
5. To Enable File Explorer "Preview Pane"
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 7A)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
B) Go to step 8 below.
6. To Disable and "Always Hide" File Explorer "Preview Pane"
A) Select (dot) Enabled, select Always hide under Options, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below step 7A)
7. To Enable and "Always Show" File Explorer "Preview Pane"
NOTE: This option will also disable the ability to turn on the Preview Pane.
A) Select (dot) Enabled, select Always show under Options, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
8. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
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