Windows Wrinkles Ironed out. 

Wrinkle No 2b: The Case of the Missing Windows File Manager Toolbar

Where have all the ribbons gone?
From my software interface.
Where have all the ribbons gone?
Not so long ago.
Where have all the ribbons gone?
Buried by updates every one.
But here's some keyboard hacks to bring them back
Here's some hacks to bring them back

— With apologies to Mr. Pete Seeger

As I understand things, Microsoft is trying for an interface that has an uncluttered image.  Personally, I have always thought a pristine, clean desk indicates a person without much to do.  Real people have real work to do, however.  And, therefore, need their tools.  An example of this is the missing File Manager Ribbon Toolbar in Windows 11.

This is what the File Manager looks like by default in Windows 11.  Access to all File Commands requires a few clicks.

Turning this Ribbon back on is a little trickier.  First Close Out Of File Manager.

Next, you need to open a COMMAND PROMPT.
Click the Search Button on the Taskbar (magnifying glass icon)

Type the Word Command. Click "Run As Administrator"

Click Yes at the Permission popup.

The Command Prompt will open a simple Black and White screen.  At the prompt, USING THE KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS "COPY (Ctrl-C)" AND PASTE (Ctrl-V) the text below exactly as displayed and press Enter.

reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}\InprocServer32" /f /ve
Click Enter
The Screen will look like this.

When you type EXIT, the command prompt will close.
Reboot the computer
Open File Manager, click HOME, and the Ribbon Toolbar is displayed.

If you decide you like the Ribbonless interface, simply repeat the process. Copy and paste the text below at the Command Prompt.

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}" /f

I know this sounds complicated.   But go slowly and deliberately. It's not that tough.

Gerald Reiff