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If you ever click something on the sidebar in windows explorer:

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the top thing says the name of what whatever you clicked:

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However if you actually navigate to the place by clicking through the files starting at "This PC" it displays the path:

enter image description here

How do I force the top bar to always show the direct path instead of just the word?

3 Answers 3

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At the moment, that doesn't seem possible to display the full folder path where you would like it. However, there is a option to display the full path in the title bar, task bar, and frankly, everywhere else except where you want it.

If you are interested: Open 'Folder Options' > Navigate to 'View' > Look under 'Files and Folders' and check the 'Display the full path in the title bar' option.

In my opinion, it's pointless. It should at least display the full path where the path is displayed. Anyway, wish I could've been of more help.

Also, I found this question.

Additionally, a solution has been linked here

Currently testing it, pretty cool, but not 100%. It is, however an executable. So it's required to run while you want the feature enabled. It doesn't require elevated rights. And it's available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, testing the 64-bit version.

Here's the link.

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  • 1
    I know of that however I want it in the bar thingy... Thanks for the idea though.
    – Jon
    Nov 27, 2013 at 17:41
  • @chipperyman573 Answer updated.
    – Jed Burke
    Nov 27, 2013 at 18:36
  • Thanks! I'll look into it later tonight and report back.
    – Jon
    Nov 27, 2013 at 20:56
  • That software doesn't work on windows 8 just a heads up.
    – Jon
    Nov 28, 2013 at 1:27
  • 1
    I hope whatever marketing airhead or UX designer who thought this was a good idea loses their job and never gets another one.
    – Alkanshel
    Aug 5, 2016 at 18:17
4

You can add a link to a "network location" pointing to Desktop, Documents, Downloads, or whatever you want.

For example:

In Windows Explorer, navigate to \\Your-Actual-PC-Name\c$\Users\your-user-name\Desktop.

Windows 7: Scroll the navigation pane all the way back up to the top.  There should be a "Favorites" folder at the very top:

   

Right click on "Favorites" and select "Add current location to Favorites". You can then modify the name and icon of the shortcut in the Properties menu.

Windows 10: Right click on "Quick Access" and select "Pin current folder to Quick access"

This does have the downside of the breadcrumbs showing

► Network ► Your-Actual-PC-Name ► c$ ► Users ► your-user-name ► Desktop

but it does allow for navigating up the tree.

You can also replace your PC name with localhost, 127.0.0.1, or create an entry in your hosts file to call it whatever you want.

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  • I'm using Windows 7, and I don't see a "Favorites" button or link in Windows Explorer.  Please clarify your answer. Jul 13, 2015 at 17:57
  • i.stack.imgur.com/SmuH5.png Windows 7 has the Favorites menu shown by default in the navigation pane. Did you remove it?
    – Sterling M
    Jul 13, 2015 at 20:52
  • I edited your answer to make it clear enough that dummies like me can understand it. Jul 14, 2015 at 0:17
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I'm not sure if this has been covered but my annoyance was that the Search bar to the right of the network path takes a lot of space and blocks you from seeing longer paths.

But here are two things.

First if you click on empty space to the right in the network path: where to click

Then the path changes from the folders that you can click on to navigate directly to them to the full path with the backslashes: path

But my problem was with long paths and the Search field taking the space of the network path then I realized you can just left press and hold mouse button between the network path and search and you get a left-right slider image and can slide the search windows to the right to decrease its size which enlarges the network path field: slide field size

to this: resized

hope this is what you were looking for.

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