📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses the issue of the Favorites tree in Windows Explorer not remaining expanded by default after closing and reopening windows. Initial responses suggest that the Favorites panel’s expansion state should persist unless affected by external factors, but the original poster clarifies that it always collapses upon reopening. Later, one user hypothesizes that a limit on the number of Favorites might cause the tree to default to collapsed, and they confirm that removing some favorites temporarily restored the desired behavior. Overall, the discussion revolves around a usability annoyance, with a potential workaround identified.
J

joelm1988

New Member
Joined
May 20, 2015
Messages
3
Thread Author #1
Hi guys,

I wondered if anyone knew a way to have the Favorites tree in Windows Explorer expand by default when opening a new window?

This used to be the case but one day for some reason it changed and now it is collapsed by default and it's really annoying!

Expanding the Computer or Libraries trees and then opening a new window works, and they remember to stay in their expanded state. But not Favorites, that appears collapsed every time!

Any help would be appreciated.
 

Solution
Thad
I think I figured it out. There must be a limit on the number of Favorites so that anything over that limit, it defaults to being collapsed. I just removed a bunch of older items that I had in the Favorites and it now defaults to being expanded again. I'll know for sure if this is the fix if it repeats the behavior as I add more things to the Favorites in the future.
Sort by date Sort by votes
ussnorway

ussnorway

Windows Forum Team
Staff member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
4,598
#2
Show the Navigation pane ...
An image from 'Expand favorites by default'. Windows Explorer interface showing the Organize menu with Layout options and Navigation pane enabled.
 

Last edited by a moderator:
Upvote 0 Downvote
J

joelm1988

New Member
Joined
May 20, 2015
Messages
3
Thread Author #3
That is the navigation pane, not the favorites tree. But thanks anyway :)

You can see in your screenshot though that your favorites tree is collapsed, I would like mine to be expanded (like the tree shown starting with Desktop is here) permanently!
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
ussnorway

ussnorway

Windows Forum Team
Staff member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
4,598
#4
If you have any thing in it then you can press the expand icon...
An image from 'Expand favorites by default'. Windows File Explorer showing five hard disk drives and a highlighted Favorites icon.
 

Last edited by a moderator:
Upvote 0 Downvote
J

joelm1988

New Member
Joined
May 20, 2015
Messages
3
Thread Author #5
Thanks for your response but I don't think you're understanding my issue...

I know how to expand the Favorites tree, but I would like it to stay expanded even if I close the Explorer window and re-open it, or open a second window.
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
ussnorway

ussnorway

Windows Forum Team
Staff member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
4,598
#6
Yes and my point is that is the default setting i.e. if you expand it then it stays that way until you tell it to stop... opening/ closing (any number of) explorer windows should not be affecting this. If closing your explorer causes your computer to forget the settings then you have something blocking the temp settings (anti-virus, firewall etc) and need to look elsewhere.

best of luck with it, mate.
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
Thad

Thad

New Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2015
Messages
4
#7
joelm1988, did you ever get this figured out? Out of the blue (Windows update?), I'm seeing the same behavior. I always want my Favorites tree expanded. Expanding it only works for that one time. Next time I open Windows Explorer again it's collapsed. Same goes with various application File-Open dialog boxes. Very frustrating since I'm constantly accessing my Favorites.
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
Thad

Thad

New Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2015
Messages
4
#9
I think I figured it out. There must be a limit on the number of Favorites so that anything over that limit, it defaults to being collapsed. I just removed a bunch of older items that I had in the Favorites and it now defaults to being expanded again. I'll know for sure if this is the fix if it repeats the behavior as I add more things to the Favorites in the future.
 

Upvote 1 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.