Horrible degradation of file-moving abilities in Windows 11

J. Brueckner 0 Reputation points
2025-10-24T23:00:52.7166667+00:00

I recently switched to Windows 11 after termination of support for Windows 10, and I was stunned by how hard it now is to move files around in File Explorer. The main source of the problem is that the Navigation Pane cannot be made to the show separate folders contained under the overall documents folder, as was possible under Windows 10.

The effects of this terrible omission can be seen as follows. Suppose that I want to move a file from one documents sub-folder to another documents sub-folder. Under Windows 10, I would click on the overall documents folder in the Navigation Pane to show all its sub-folders in the right-hand pane. Then I would click on a particular sub-folder to show its individual files. Next, I would click on the documents folder in the Navigation Pane, which would then show all the documents sub-folders, again in the Navigation Pane. Then I would drag and drop the file from the sub-folder in the right hand pane into the target sub-folder, now shown in the Navigation Pane, indicating whether the file should be move or copied.

Now, because the documents sub-folders in Windows 11 cannot be shown in the navigation pane, this simple task is no longer possible. Instead, once I open a particular documents sub-folder in the right hand pane, all I can do is move or copy the file of interest to the OVERALL documents folder in the navigation pane, not to the target subfolder. Then, in the right hand pane, I have to go to the bottom of folder list to see the moved file sitting there all by itself, and then (staying in the right-hand pane), drag and drop the file into the target sub-folder.

Other more cumbersome procedures than this one are outlined online. It's amazing to me that Microsoft could have impaired the usability of File Explorer in this fundamental way when designing Windows 11. I thought their software engineers were smart! But this egregious degradation of File Explorer makes one think otherwise. Let's hope it gets fixed.

Windows for business | Windows 365 Business
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  1. VivianPhan-0145 3,470 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-24T23:41:55.66+00:00

    Dear J. Brueckner,

    I understand how disappointed you feel, and you’re not alone.

    Microsoft streamlined File Explorer’s Navigation Pane to reduce duplication between Quick Access, Libraries, and user profile folders. As a result, subfolders under Documents don’t automatically expand the way they did in Windows 10. However, you can restore much of the old Windows 10 behavior by enabling “Expand to open folder” and “Show all folders” in the Navigation Pane. This will let you drag files directly into sibling subfolders again.

    The new design emphasizes cloud libraries, which sometimes hides the traditional folder tree unless you explicitly expand it.

    Good news is that Microsoft has been actively updating File Explorer in Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 with usability improvements, including better folder expansion and AI‑driven search refinements.

    If you find this information useful to some extent, please accept the answer so that your experience with the issue would help contribute to the whole community. Thank you :)

    Vivian


  2. VivianPhan-0145 3,470 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-25T06:51:20.92+00:00

    Hi J. Brueckner,

    Has your issue been solved? If it has, please accept the answer so that it could be spread further to those in need too. If not, is there anything I can help you with? Please let me know. :)

    Vivian

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  3. VivianPhan-0145 3,470 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-25T20:27:17.3066667+00:00

    J. Brueckner,

    The “Expand to open folder” option is still in Windows 11, but it’s tucked away in File Explorer’s Folder Options dialog. You won’t see it directly in the ribbon or quick menus. You’ll need to open Folder Options and enable it under the Navigation Pane settings.

    Don't forget to hit "accept answer" if this information helps you to some extent. Thank you :)

    Vivian

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