Classic Explorer toolbar keeps unhiding itself

[The-MAZZTer]

Describe the bug

In File Explorer, if I right click the toolbar space and uncheck the toolbar entry, it disappears as desired.

But if I then open a new window, it comes back.

Area of issue

Windows Explorer

To reproduce

1. Close all File Explorer windows.
2. Open a new File Explorer window.
3. Observe the Classic Explorer toolbar.
4. Right click the toolbar and click the Classic Explorer selection.
5. Observe the toolbar disappears.
6. Close all File Explorer windows.
7. Open a new File Explorer window.
8. Observe the toolbar is back.

Expected behavior

The toolbar remains hidden.

Also optionally there should be a setting in the settings application to just disable the toolbar permanently (as if it was uninstalled) until you go back into settings and turn it on, like there is for the status bar. This will be more consistent with other similar settings (such as the status bar).

Open-Shell version

4.4.189

Windows version

11 Professional x64 22H2 Build 22621.1555

Additional context

I have seen advice for similar issues to uninstall the Classic Explorer component and keep the others. However the Classic Explorer component is the only one I want, for one specific feature: forcing the file view headers on for all view modes. Removing Classic Explorer also removes this feature, so it's not a useful suggestion for me.

[unknownbrackets]

As a workaround, you can disable the toolbar registration using:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{553891B7-A0D5-4526-BE18-D3CE461D6310}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

In my case, I just want the status bar.

-[Unknown]

[Moopere]

@unknownbrackets - thanks for the workaround. This has driven me nuts for many years.

@The-MAZZTer - thanks for raising the issue. Its not only a bug as you describe, seems to me its also a logical option that folks might want (me!). Allow the users to either see or not see the openshell toolbar and have that choice be sticky.

[Remikaa]

@unknownbrackets unknownbrackets, i tried to use cmd and copy then pasted your workaround into the cmd. it says it was successful yet qhwn i first open file explorer i dont have the tool bar. but after my wallpaper changes (I have wallpaper engine) the tool bar appears again.

[Akhilesh-T]

As a workaround, you can disable the toolbar registration using:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{553891B7-A0D5-4526-BE18-D3CE461D6310}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

In my case, I just want the status bar.

-[Unknown]

This worked for me on Windows 11. Thank you very much.
For those who don't know, you have to paste this into the command prompt/terminal and hit enter.

[MrMcAyyy]

I have tried everything and I'm at my wit's end. I just want this whole thing removed and it won't go away! Normal uninstall didn't work, the utility didn't work and the reg edit didn't work. This is ridiculous.

[Undisputed00x]

Check this: #326 (comment)

Also follow these instructions once:

• Accurately click the right mouse button on the white bar, and an option will appear: Lock the toolbar;
• After checking, the white bar will expand and the menu button can be seen on the left;
• Select the [File] menu on the left, then select the [Close] menu at the bottom, and the explorer will automatically close;
• Open explorer again, the white bars disappear, and the problem is solved!

[DHKLOK]

As a workaround, you can disable the toolbar registration using:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID{553891B7-A0D5-4526-BE18-D3CE461D6310}\InprocServer32" /f /ve
In my case, I just want the status bar.

-[Unknown]

Just wanted to report that this fix still works in 2025. im on windows 11.
Used admin + powershell, copy and pasted the code, boom done - no bar

[KonoVitoDa]

I don't know if this is a definitive solution, and I haven't been able to try it a second time to confirm that it really works, but disabling the Classic Explorer Bar while it displays File, Edit, etc. (I don't know how to make them appear, maybe pressing Alt or F10) seems to have disabled it definitively.