Common Open File Dialog Box Places Bar - Hide or Show

How to Hide or Show Common Open File Dialog Places Bar in Windows


information   Information
When you save or open a file in an application that uses Windows common dialog box, the Places bar on the left side of the dialog box can help you navigate quicker to a location.

This tutorial will show you how to hide or show the common dialog places bar for all or specific users in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.


EXAMPLE: Common Dialog Places Bar

Hide_Places_Bar.png

Show_Places_Bar.png







OPTION ONE

To Hide or Show Common Dialog Places Bar using a REG File



Note   Note
The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Comdlg32

NoPlacesBar DWORD

0 or delete = Show
1 = Hide


1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​
2. To Show Common Dialog Places Bar for Only Current User
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Show_Common_Dialog_Places_Bar.reg
download

3. To Hide Common Dialog Places Bar for Only Current User
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Hide_Common_Dialog_Places_Bar.reg
download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.​
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.​
6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC Windows 7/8) or Continue (UAC Vista), Yes, and OK to approve the merge​
7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​






OPTION TWO

Hide or Show Common Dialog Places Bar using Local Group Policy


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 Common Open File Dialog. (see screenshot below)​
Hide_Places_Bar_GPEDIT-1.png

3. In the right pane of Common Open File Dialog, double click/tap on Hide the common dialog places bar to edit it. (see screenshot above)​
4. To Show Common Dialog Places Bar
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 5)​

5. To Hide Common Dialog Places Bar
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)​
Hide_Places_Bar_GPEDIT-2.png

6. When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Hide_Common_Dialog_Places_Bar.reg
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  • Show_Common_Dialog_Places_Bar.reg
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