Start File Explorer with ribbon minimized

This policy setting allows you to specify whether the ribbon appears minimized or in full when new File Explorer windows are opened. If you enable this policy setting, you can set how the ribbon appears the first time users open File Explorer and whenever they open new windows. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, users can choose how the ribbon appears when they open new windows.

Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT

Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE or HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
Value NameExplorerRibbonStartsMinimized
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Enabled Value1
Disabled Value0

Pick one of the following settings


  1. Always open new File Explorer windows with the ribbon minimized.
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE or HKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
    Value NameExplorerRibbonStartsMinimized
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value1
  2. Never open new File Explorer windows with the ribbon minimized.
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE or HKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
    Value NameExplorerRibbonStartsMinimized
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value2
  3. Minimize the ribbon when File Explorer is opened the first time.
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE or HKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
    Value NameExplorerRibbonStartsMinimized
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value3
  4. Display the full ribbon when File Explorer is opened the first time.
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE or HKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
    Value NameExplorerRibbonStartsMinimized
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value4


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