- File Explorer in Windows 11 can have extra space between elements on smaller screens like laptops
- To solve this, users can enable Compact View, reducing space in both left and right panes
- Enable Compact View through the command bar, Registry Editor, or Folder Options to adjust spacing and improve usability.
Many new users may find the File Explorer in Windows 11 to be having more space between the elements. This can be an issue if you are using a smaller screen like that of a laptop. If you are working on a smaller screen then using a compact view can help you solve the problem of extra space between the elements. It decreases the space between the elements in File Explorer in the right pane as well as in the left pane. This mode isn’t enabled by default, and you will have to enable it manually in Windows 11.
Enable or Disable Compact View in File Explorer on Windows 11
We have discussed the steps to enable File Explorer Compact View in Windows 11.
Turn On File Explorer Compact View From The Command Bar In File Explorer
The very first method to enable the File Explorer is from the command bar in the File Explorer. Notably, this is one of the easiest methods that you may find to turn on File Explorer compact view in Windows 11. To enable File Explorer compact view using the command bar in File Explorer, follow the steps given below-
- Firstly, open File Explorer on your PC. You can do so by pressing the Windows + E key combo or by clicking on the File Explorer icon from the taskbar or in the start menu.
- Now, on the command bar in the File Explorer, you will see a View button. Click on it.
- This will open up a context menu. From this context menu, click on compact view to enable File Explorer Compact View In Windows 11.
If the compact view is already enabled in the File Explorer, then you will see a dot right next to the compact view option in the context menu. If you want to disable it, click on compact view again, and the dot will disappear which means the Compact View has been disabled.
Enabling File Explorer Compact View Using The Registry Editor
The last method to enable the compact view in the File Explorer is by using the Registry Editor. You will have to make some tweaks in the Registry settings, and you will be able to enable compact view without any problem on your PC.
- Open the Registry Editor on your PC. You can either search for Registry Editor in the start menu, or press the Windows + R key combo, type Regedit in the Run dialog box, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Head to the following location/address in the Registry Editor-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- You can either paste the above location in the navigation bar or manually head to the location by clicking on the given registry key.
- Now in the right-side screen, double-click on the UseCompactMode DWORD value to edit it.
- Set the Base of the DWORD to Hexadecimal. Change The Value Data to 1 if you want to enable the compact view.
- Once done, click on OK.
- Now close the Registry Editor, and restart your PC to ensure the changes are made to the File Explorer.
If you want to disable the Compact view again, then simply change the value of the UseCompactMode in the Registry Editor to 0. Restart your PC to save the changes and the compact view will be disabled.
Enable File Explorer Compact View From The Folder Options Screen
You can either use the Folder Options to enable the File Explorer compact view. You can use this option to enable File Explorer compact view by following the steps given below-
- Open the Run dialog box on your PC by pressing the Windows + R key combo.
- In the run dialog box, type Control Folders and click on OK or hit Enter to open up Folder Options. Head to the view tab in the Folder Options.
- Now under the advanced settings check the checkbox which says decrease space between items (compact view). You will find this option under the Files and folder in the advanced settings.
- Once done, click on apply. Close the Folder Options window, and the Compact view will be enabled on the File Explorer on your PC having Windows 11.
In case, if you have to disable File Explorer Compact View again, then simply head to the Folder options. Here head to the view tab, and then under the advanced settings, uncheck the checkbox saying decrease space between items (compact view).
RELATED GUIDES:
- How To Enable Or Disable Notifications On Windows 11
- Fix Windows 11 Printer Spooler Error
- How To Fix Ethernet Not Working in Windows 11
- How To Cast Windows 11 Desktop To Chromecast
- How To Stop Windows 11 From Using So Much Data
Final Words
That’s how you can enable the compact view in the File Explorer. We have discussed three methods to enable File Explorer compact view- using command bar, folder options, and registry editor. Following the above steps, you will be able to enable or disable the File Explorer compact view in Windows 11.
