How to Show Full Path in Address Bar in File Explorer in Windows 10
File Explorer is the default file management app which is bundled with Windows starting with Windows 95. Besides file management operations, Explorer.exe also implements the shell - the Desktop, taskbar, desktop icons and also the Start menu are parts of the Explorer app. By default, File Explorer only shows a part of an open folder in the address bar, hiding the rest of the path behind breadcrumbs. You can make it show the full path to the current folder.
Starting with Windows 8, File Explorer got the Ribbon user interface and the quick access toolbar. While it has no option to get rid of the Ribbon, there is a method that you can use to permanently disable the Ribbon and restore the classic Explorer look with a command bar and a menu row.
By default, the address bar in File Explorer app contains the name of a folder you are currently browsing and a part of its path. The other part of its path is hidden behind breadcrumbs. Instead of the actual folder location, e.g. c:\users\user\pictures, the address bar shows a path like "This PC > Pictures". The breadcrumbs also include navigation buttons to show the locations related to the current folder path.
However, sometimes you need to know the actual folder path. There are three methods you can use.
To Show Full Path in Address Bar in File Explorer in Windows 10,
- Press the Alt + L keys together on the keyboard.
- Alternatively, press Alt + D.
- Click on the location icon to the left of the breadcrumbs.
- Or, click on an empty area next to the current folder path.
You are done. Regardless of the method you have used, you will see the full path to the current folder opened in File Explorer. See the following screenshot:
That's it.
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Unfortunately these options do not work for me. Option 1 does nothing. And option 2, 3 and 4 just show “Documents” when coming from “This PC > Documents”.
However, when going one folder deeper than Documents options 2, 3 and 4 do show the full path.
None of these work for me either.