The ultimate guide to File Explorer on Windows 11

File Explorer is one of the most crucial tools in Windows 11as it lets you browse and manage files stored on your computer. This is the tool that allows you to browse all the files on your PCso you can opendeleterename themand much more.

If you've been using Windows laptops for a whileusing File Explorer may feel like second nature to youbut you might be surprised at just how much you don't know. And if it's the first time using Windows in a whilethen there's a lot you'll want to learn about. This guide will show you everything you need to know to get to grips with itfrom the most basic functionality to more advanced settings even more frequent users may not know.

This guide is based on the latest version of File Explorer in Windows 11 version 23H2 and newer. Older versions may look differentbut the core functionality is similar.

How to open File Explorer

You can open File Explorer on Windows 11 in a few ways:

• Option 1: Click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar
• Option 2: Press Windows + E on your keyboard
• Option 3: Open the Start menu and search for File Explorer
• Option 4: Press Windows + R to launch the Run window and then enter explorer
• Option 5: Right-click the Start button and select File Explorer

The File Explorer interface

When you first open File Explorerthere are a few main UI elements you'll want to take note of. Let's take a look at the main File Explorer window.

There are a few primary elements you'll want to get familiar with here:

1. Tab bar: You'll see the titles of your open tabs and you can switch between them here (only available in Windows 11 version 22H2 or newer).
2. Navigation buttons: Includes backforwardupand refresh buttons.
3. Address bar: Shows the current path in the main view and lets you navigate the folder structure.
4. Search bar: Lets you search for items in the current view (including sub-folders).
5. Ribbon: The ribbon contains file management tools like copycutdeleteand renameas well as filtering and sorting options for your current view. Options shown in the ribbon depending.
6. Navigation pane: Shows the folder structure of your PC and highlights the current folder in the main view.
7. Main view: Shows you the files and folders in the path you're currently in. You can double-click a file or folder to open it.

How to copy files in File Explorer

1. Navigate to the folder or file you want to copy.
2. Right-click the file or folder and choose Copy from the context menu.
   
   Alternativelyclick the file once and then press Ctrl + C to copy itor click Copy in the ribbon.
3. Navigate to the folder where you want to copy the file.
4. Right-click an empty area of the main view and choose Paste.
   

You can also press Ctrl + V to paste a fileor click Paste in the ribbon.

How to move files in File Explorer

1. Navigate to the folder or file you want to move.
2. Right-click the file or folder and choose Cut from the context menu.
   
   Alternativelyclick the file once and then press Ctrl + X to cut itor click Cut in the ribbon.
3. Navigate to the folder where you want to move the file.
4. Right-click an empty area of the main view and choose Paste. You can also press Ctrl + V to paste a fileor click Paste in the ribbon.

If you have multiple windows or tabs openyou can also click and drag a file from one location to another to move them.

How to delete files in File Explorer

1. Navigate to the file you want to delete
2. Right-click the file and click Delete.
   

You can also click the file and click Delete in the ribbonor press the Delete key on your keyboard.

How to use tabs in File Explorer

Using tabs in File Explorer works similarly to how most modern web browsers work. Here's how it works:

Open a new tab

• Option 1: Click the + (plus) button in the tab bar.
• Option 2: Press Ctrl + T on your keyboard.

Open a folder in a new tab

• Option 1: Right-click a folder in the main view or navigation pane and click Open in new tab
  
• Option 2: With a desktop mouseclick the scroll wheel (middle-click) a folder to open it in a new tab.

Close a tab

• Option 1: Click the small X button next to the tab title (not to be confused with the large X in the top right corner of the window).
  
• Option 2: Press Ctrl + W on your keyboard to close your active tab.
• Option 3: With a desktop mouseclick the scroll wheel (middle-click) an open tab to close it.

Re-order tabs

• Option 1: To move tabs on the tab barclick and drag them to the position you want them in.
• Option 2: To move tabs to a separate windowclick and drag the tab outside the File Explorer windowthen release it.

Move files between tabs

1. Click and hold the file or folder you want to move.
2. Drag it over the tab you want to move it to and hold it until the main view switches to that tab.
3. Drag the file to the main view.

How to view file extensions in File Explorer

File Explorer hides extensions for known file formats by default. If you'd like to see themuse these steps:

1. Click the View option in the ribbon
   
2. Hover over Show and then choose File name extensions.
   

How to view hidden files in File Explorer

Certain files can be hidden from view in File Explorer. To see themdo this:

1. Click the View option in the ribbon.
2. Hover over Show and then choose Hidden items.
   

How to customize the Home page in File Explorer

The Home page in File Explorer shows the files and folders that are most relevant to you across three sections: Quick AccessFavoritesand Recent:

Pin or unpin folders from Quick access

Quick access contains your pinned folders as well as frequently visited folders. A few folders are pinned by defaultlike PicturesVideosand Downloads. To unpin a folder you don't want to see here:

1. Right-click the folder you want to unpin.
2. Click Unpin from Quick access.
   

On the other handto pin new folders to Quick accessfollow these steps:

1. Navigate to the folder you want to add to Quick access.
2. Right-click the folder and choose Pin to Quick access.
   

Hide frequent folders from Quick access

To hide frequently visited folders from the Quick access sectiondo this:

1. Click the ellipsis icon in the ribbon and choose Options.
   
2. Uncheck the box labeled Show frequently used folders.
   
3. Click OK.

This wayyou'll only see pinned folders.

Add files to Favorites

Similarly to pinned foldersyou can add individual files to your favorites to have them appear on the Home page.

1. Navigate to the file you want to add to your favorites.
2. Right-click it and choose Add to Favorites.
   
3. You'll now see it under the Favorites section of the Home page.
4. To remove a favorite fileright-click it and choose Remove from Favorites.
   

Hide recent files

Finallythe Recent section shows files you've recently opened. If you don't want this section to appearfollow these steps:

1. Click the ellipsis icon in the ribbon and choose Options.
2. Uncheck the box labeled Show recently used files.
   
3. Click OK.

Hide online files

The Recent section can also show documents you have stored in OneDrive. If you only want to see local files:

1. Click the ellipsis icon in the ribbon and choose Options.
2. Uncheck the box labeled Show files from Office.com.
   
3. Click OK.

How to open the classic context menu in File Explorer

If you don't like the new context menu in Windows 11's File Explorer:

1. Right-click any folder or file you want to act on.
2. Click Show more options.
   

Alternativelyyou can hold Shift on your keyboard and right-click with the mouse to see the classic context menu right away.