How to Disable Check Boxes in File Explorer

Here’s how to easily remove the check boxes from File Explorer

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Many of our readers have been annoyed by check boxes that appear on each file or folder icon in File Explorer. Check boxes help you select multiple files and folders, especially on touchscreen devices.

However, this feature is running the user experience of most Windows users who prefer using the Shift and Ctrl shortcut to select multiple files/folders at a time.

If you are one of those users who want to remove the checkboxes in File Explorer, walk through this guide to find out the proven solutions.

How to disable folder check boxes in File Explorer?

1. Disable item checkboxes

Now exit the File Explorer window and upon re-launch, the check boxes next to folders will not appear anymore.

2. Modify the Folder Options settings

3. Modify the registry

If the previous two methods did not sort out the issue, you can explicitly edit the registry to remove the check box from File Explorer.

4. Create a new administrator account

Creating a new user account with administrative rights will remove the check box in File Explorer if it persisted because of a corrupt user account.