Efficiently Ditch the Preview Pane- A Guide to Removing It from Your File Explorer

How to Remove Preview Pane in File Explorer

The File Explorer in Windows is a versatile tool that allows users to navigate through their files and folders with ease. However, some users may find the preview pane feature unnecessary or intrusive. If you’re one of those users, you might be wondering how to remove the preview pane in File Explorer. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process step by step.

Step 1: Open File Explorer

To begin, open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.

Step 2: Access the View Tab

Once File Explorer is open, look for the “View” tab at the top of the window. Click on it to expand the options.

Step 3: Hide the Preview Pane

In the “View” tab, you’ll see a variety of options, including “Layout,” “Options,” and “Details.” Click on “Layout” to see more layout-related settings. Look for the “Preview pane” option and uncheck it to hide the preview pane.

Step 4: Save Changes

After unchecking the “Preview pane” option, File Explorer should immediately hide the preview pane. To ensure that the changes are saved, you can close and reopen File Explorer or restart your computer.

Step 5: Permanently Remove Preview Pane

If you want to permanently remove the preview pane from File Explorer, you can modify the Windows Registry. However, this method requires caution, as making incorrect changes to the registry can cause system instability. To proceed, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. In the right pane, find the “ShowPreview” value and double-click on it.
5. Change the value data from “1” to “0” and click “OK.”
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Conclusion

Removing the preview pane in File Explorer can help declutter your interface and improve your workflow. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily hide or permanently remove the preview pane to suit your preferences. Remember to be cautious when modifying the registry, as incorrect changes can have unintended consequences.