turn off preview pane in file explorer windows 11,Turn Off Preview Pane in File Explorer Windows 11: A Detailed Guide

Turn Off Preview Pane in File Explorer Windows 11: A Detailed Guide

Are you tired of the preview pane in Windows 11 File Explorer taking up valuable screen space? Do you find it distracting or unnecessary? If so, you’re not alone. Many users prefer to have a cleaner, more focused interface. In this article, I’ll walk you through the process of turning off the preview pane in Windows 11 File Explorer, providing you with multiple methods to choose from. Let’s dive in!

Why Turn Off the Preview Pane?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of turning off the preview pane, let’s discuss why you might want to do so. Here are a few reasons:

• Increased screen real estate: Without the preview pane, you can see more files and folders at once, which can be particularly useful on smaller screens.

• Improved focus: Some users find that the preview pane can be distracting, especially when browsing through large directories.

• Customization: By turning off the preview pane, you can customize the File Explorer interface to your liking.

Method 1: Using the File Explorer Options

The simplest way to turn off the preview pane is by using the File Explorer Options. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or pressing Windows key + E.

2. In the upper-right corner, click on the “View” tab.

3. Look for the “Show preview pane” option and uncheck it.

4. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.

This method is straightforward and doesn’t require any additional software or commands.

Method 2: Using Group Policy Editor

For users who prefer to use Group Policy Editor, here’s how to turn off the preview pane:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter to open Group Policy Editor.

3. Navigate to “User Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “File Explorer”.

4. Double-click on “Turn off preview pane” to open the properties window.

5. Set the policy to “Enabled” and click “OK” to save your changes.

This method requires administrative privileges and is more suitable for advanced users.

Method 3: Using Registry Editor

For users who are comfortable with editing the registry, here’s how to turn off the preview pane:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open Registry Editor.

3. Navigate to “HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced”.

4. On the right side, find the “PreviewPane” value and double-click on it.

5. In the “Value data” field, change the value from “1” to “0” and click “OK” to save your changes.

This method requires administrative privileges and can be risky if not done correctly. Make sure to back up your registry before proceeding.

Method 4: Using PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful command-line tool that can be used to turn off the preview pane. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Windows key + X and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the list.

2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:

3. Set-ItemProperty -Path “HKCU:SoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced” -Name “PreviewPane” -Value 0

This method requires administrative privileges and is suitable for users who are comfortable with using PowerShell.

Conclusion

Turning off the preview pane in Windows 11