A recent Windows 11 update seems to have changed the bread crumb trail in Windows Explorer. I used to be able to drag a folder/file from the current view onto the bread crumb trail, but now it won't let me. The view has also changed in terms of making it look and behave differently.

Any ideas how I can revert this at all without having to try and dig out the specific update and uninstall etc?

 

Does anybody know the answer to this? It's really annoying me now!

For example, in the screenshot below, in previous Windows you could drag an item from one location and drop into a location on the breadcrumb trail at the top. In a recent update, the Explorer's breadcrumb trail changed it's appearance and now looks different and no longer seems to support this behaviour, which is super annoying, especially when extracting zipped files and such.

Anybody know if it's possible to revert this behaviour or revert the Windows Eplorer appearance to enable this behaviour again?

 

Does this trick still works?

Open Control Panel and click on the UP arrow twice ('Up to Desktop'). This opens up an older ribbon-like interface. It should enable dragging files/folder on breadcrumbs.

Does this work for you?

 

I haven't used Explorer in a while, but if something can change it, then it's Explorer Patcher.

Check the features list.

 

After doing some more digging, I found this. Seems like it's dropped because of some issues with ability to sync with OneDrive. So stupid!

Windows 11 no longer supports file drag-n-drop on address bar (winaero.com)

 

This trick does indeed work! Nicely discovered So, it shows that it is technically do-able then, despite what Microsoft assert about it not being possible due to some OneDrive sync dependencies.

 

it's been removed as part of complete explorer rework,
if enough people request such feature to be brought back, Microsoft may re-add it,

another option is to ditch default explorer in favour of something like Files

- I'm not saying you should, just that you can

 

many people like Teracopy, but my Fav is
FastCopy
Since you mentioned, using this function you lost for, VST Plugs
FC has a drop down menu of the last destination of your copy
it came quite handy for the AA copy to VST3 Destination, no more jumping around in explorer (shortcuts or not)
+ you can Elevate (AdminRights) Per copy
so FC isnt always running with full rights
+ You can define how many threads are used

2.)
Direct Folders
Like a cary around Fav/Pined Folders

3.)
QTBAR
Tabed Explorer Extension

i stopped giving a fuck what MS does
i just hope they stay out of my way
Like Directory Opus would not surprise you with shit like you mentioned

 

FIles actually looks pretty good to be fair. Read a few Store reviews and consensus seems to be that functionally and visually it is far nicer than the default Explorer, but it lacks in the performance and speed when transferring or copying files and so on.

Any personal experiences with it?!

 

not yet, I'm merely starting with proper W11 23H2 tests on its own,
I don't think performance-wise it makes much sense to replace what's shipped in Windows by default,

so far I'm using FreeFileSync for reliable and fast file transfers, especially for a completely different league of things like merging folders, mirroring multiple locations, pausing transfers between external or network devices etc...

 

This looks handy, and there are plenty of alternatives otherwise as well... From the top of my head I can think of XYplorer, Total Commander, OneCommander.

I use OneCommander, since it mostly does what I'm used to out of the box, have the keyboard shortcuts memorized etc. Integrates nicely with QuickLook and TeraCopy, though I'm sure the others do as well.

 

Great! So it still works then!

// I love compiling various tips. If somebody is interested in audio optimization tips, I wrote a guide here: https://gigperformer.com/docs/ultimate-guide-to-optimize-windows-for-stage/index.html