How to Restore the Missing Left Pane in File Explorer on Windows

Recently, some Windows 11 users have reported an issue where the left pane of File Explorer is missing. This pane is essential as it provides quick access to the Network, drive partitions, and connected drives. If you find yourself in this situation, here are several steps you can take to bring it back.

1. Restart Your Computer
If you haven’t changed any settings related to the Navigation pane, a simple restart might resolve the issue. Bugs and glitches can sometimes cause the left pane to disappear. To restart, click the Windows Start Button, select the Power Menu, and choose Restart. After your computer restarts, open File Explorer to see if the left pane has returned.

2. Enable the Navigation Pane
If restarting didn’t work, you may have accidentally disabled the Navigation Pane. Here’s how to enable it:

– Open File Explorer by pressing `Windows Key + E`.
– Click the View icon at the top.
– Select Show > Navigation Pane to ensure it is enabled.

After making this change, restart your computer.

3. Restart Windows Explorer
The Windows Explorer process manages various graphical elements of the OS. If it’s not responding, the left pane may not show up. To restart it:

– Search for Task Manager and open it.
– Go to the Processes tab.
– Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart.

4. Clear File Explorer History
Clearing the File Explorer history can sometimes resolve the missing left pane issue. Here’s how:

– Search for File Explorer Options and open it.
– Switch to the General tab.
– Click the Clear button next to Clear File Explorer history, then click OK.

Restart your PC to apply the changes.

5. Re-register the shdocvw.dll
Re-registering the shdocvw.dll file can help fix the missing left pane issue. Follow these steps:

– Search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
– In the Command Prompt, enter the command: `Regsvr32 /i shdocvw`.

Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

6. Enable the Navigation Pane via Registry Editor
You can also enable the Navigation Pane using the Registry Editor:

– Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
– Enter the following command:
“`
reg add “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\GlobalSettings\Sizer” /v PageSpaceControlSizer /t REG_BINARY /d a0000000000000000000000056050000 /f
“`

Close the Command Prompt after executing the command.

7. Re-register System Apps
File Explorer is a system app, and re-registering all system apps can help:

– Search for PowerShell and open it.
– Execute the following command:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like “SystemApps”} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

Wait for the process to complete and then restart your PC.

8. Run SFC/DISM Commands
Corrupted system files can lead to the left pane disappearing. To fix this, run the SFC and DISM tools:

– Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
– Enter the command: `sfc /scannow`.
– If errors are found, run: `DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth`.

After completing these steps, restart your PC.

9. Uninstall Recent Windows Updates
If the left pane went missing after a recent update, consider rolling back or uninstalling the latest updates. You can find guides on how to do this online.

10. Perform a System Restore
If you have restore points enabled, you can revert your system to a previous state when the left pane was visible. Follow guides on creating restore points to assist with this process.

11. Reset Your PC
If all else fails, resetting your PC may be necessary. This will reinstall the operating system and can resolve persistent issues. Follow the on-screen instructions in the Reset tool to complete this process.

By following these steps, you should be able to restore the missing left pane in File Explorer on your Windows device. Learn More