FIX: Windows 11 File Explorer Address and Menu bars are missing after KB5036980 Update.

If after installing the KB5036980 update on Windows 11, you cannot see the Address bar or/and Menu bar in File Explorer, then continue reading below to resolve the issue.

The April 23, 2024 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 (KB5036980) adds a lot of improvements, but many users reported that the Menu and Address bars in File Explorer disappeared after installing it.

How to FIX: Windows Explorer Address bar is missing or Menu bar is missing after update.*

* Important: If you use a third-party app to customize the appearance of the Start menu, taskbar, and File Explorer in Windows 11 (like "StartAllBack", "ExplorerPatcher", "Start11", etc.), please update it to the latest version or uninstall/reinstall it and see if that solves the problem. If not, then continue below.

Method 1. Uninstall KB5036980 Update.

Since the mentioned issue occurs after installing the update KB5036980, proceed and uninstall it. To do that:

1. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and open the Update history.

2. In Update History, find out which update has been installed recently. (e.g the 'KB5036980' in this example)

3. Then scroll down the page and under Related settings select Uninstall updates.

4. Then, locate in the list the KB number of the recently update (e.g the 'KB5036980' in this example), and click Uninstall next to it to uninstall it. *

* Note: If you cannot uninstall the update from here, then follow on of the methods in this article: How to Uninstall Updates in Windows 11 (All Methods).

5. After removing the update, restart the computer and check if the issue is fixed. If so, try to install the update again.

Method 2. Reinstall or Update Graphics Drivers.

Sometimes the reported issue can be caused by a faulty graphics driver. Therefore, proceed to uninstall and reinstall the graphics drivers as described below:

1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.

2. Expand the Display adapters section.
3. Right-click on your display adapter and select Uninstall Device.

4. At next window, choose to Delete the driver software for this device and click Uninstall.

5. Wait a few seconds and then restart your PC.

6. After restart, Windows will automatically re-install the graphics driver from the Windows Update servers.

* Note: To make sure the driver installation is complete, go to Device Manager and check that your display adapter model is listed there. If not, check and install all available Windows updates or install the latest graphics driver from the GPU manufacturer's support site.

Method 3. Repair Windows System Files.

Repairing Windows system files is a common but important step in solving Windows 10/11 problems like the one mentioned here.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. To do that, type "cmd" or "command prompt" in the Search and then click Run as administrator in Command Prompt result.

2. At the command prompt window, type the following command & press Enter:

• dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth

3. Be patient until 'Deployment Image Servicing and Management' (DISM) tool repairs component store.

4. When the operation is completed, give the command below and press Enter:

• sfc /scannow

5. When SFC scan is completed, restart your computer.
6.  After restarting check if the problem is fixed.

Method 4. Repair Windows with an In-place Upgrade.

If, after following the methods above, you're still having problems, your last option is to repair Windows with an in-place upgrade. To do this, use the instructions in one of these tutorials, depending on your version of Windows.

• How to Repair Windows 10 with an In-Place Upgrade.
• How to Repair Windows 11 with an In-Place Upgrade.

That's it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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