12 Best File Explorer Tips and Tricks for Windows 11
Windows File Explorer has come a long way since its inception in 1995. While the underlying concept remains the same, much has changed under the hood, making it a productivity powerhouse for Windows 11 users. A few years ago, I shared someFile Explorer tips and tricks for Windows 10, however, Windows 11 has made some important changes. So here I am again with the best tips and tricks for File Explorer on Windows 11 this time.
Table of Contents
1. Useful Keyboard Shortcuts
Let’s begin the guide with an extensive list of keyboard shortcuts for File Explorer on Windows 11. It will come in useful for the rest of the guide and make your experience snappier saving you precious time.
Regular keyboard shortcut to cut, copy, paste, and select all work everywhere including File Explorer.
2. Open Multiple Tabs
The2H22 update in Windows 11brought a much anticipated and required feature — multiple tabs in the same window. Just like your favorite browser, you may now open multiple tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer too.
Simply pressCtrl+Tto open a new tab window and pressCtrl+Wto close it. There seems to be no limit as to how many file explorer tabs you can open but I would recommend you keep this number low so as to not affect the performance of the PC.
3. Change Launch Folder Location
It is easy to open a new file explorer window. Simply press Start/Windows key+E. However, the default folder is always Home. While that is not necessarily bad, different people have different needs. Fortunately, you can change the default folder in File Explorer on Windows 11.
1.PressWindows+Eto open File Explorer window.
2.Click on thekebab menu (three-dot icon)and selectOptions.
3.In the pop-up that opens, under theGeneraltab, select a location toOpen File Explorer tofrom the drop-down menu. You can choose Home, This PC, or Personal (Your Name).
4.Click onApplyto save changes and then click onOKto close the window.
4. Customize Quick Access Menu
You canpin or unpin (bookmark) items in the Quick menuthat appears on the left sidebar inside the File Explorer. By default, it shows pictures, videos, and some other default folders.
To add your favorite folders to the Quick Access Menu, right-click on any folder and selectPin to Quick Accessoption. Similarly, you can also unpin folders from the Quick Access Menu.
The Quick Access menu also displays recently and frequently used files and folders that you have opened. you’re able to disable that from the same menu as above. UnselectShow recently used files,Show frequently used folders, andShow files from Office.com.
Pro Tip 1:You can change the order of folders in Quick Access menu by simply dragging and dropping them in the menu.
Pro Tip 2:Click on theClearbutton you see in the above screenshot to clear all File Explorer browsing history so no one knows what files and folders you accessed. Great for privacy.
5. Customize Folder Layout
There are so many ways to change the layout of the File Explorer folder in Windows 11. You can change the size of icons from small to so big that it will actually hurt your eyes.
you may also sort the files and folders in a list with details on the right like date, size, etc.
What is interesting and useful is that you can set different views for different folders. So you can have large icons for the parent folder and a list with details for sub-folders.
If drill down further and select Show, you will find even more options. Here you can divide the folder into panes with even more details like a preview of the file, details, checkboxes, etc.
Combine these view options and layout together and you have a lot of ways to customize how the folder looks.
6. Rotate Images Directly
Many times, I take screenshots in landscape mode on my mobile and need to rotate that image before using it on my computer. Usually, that would require an image editor like Paint. Some image viewers also allow rotating images. However, a cool Windows 11 File Explorer tip is using the context menu to rotate images directly without even opening it.
On Windows 11, you will also see the rotate buttons appear in the toolbar above upon selecting the image.
7. Share Files in File Explorer
Most users open a third-party app like Feem to share files. Others open Bluetooth. But you don’t need to do all of that. Simply open File Explorer, select the file you want to share, and click on Share in the right-click context menu. You should see direct shortcuts to some sharing apps like Feem.
Clicking on the Share button will open Share menu which contains shortcuts to some key Microsoft apps along with Nearby sharing menu.
Here you can easily share the selected file to other Microsoft apps as well as your key contacts.
8. Restore Ribbon Menu
Windows 10’s File Explorer came with a ribbon menu that most users are familiar with. Windows 11 went on a trimming spree and the ribbon menu was cut off to make the UI more modern and clutter-free.
However, fortunately, there is a way to get it back. Microsoft Support has shared a Registry Editor hack that you’re able to use torestore Ribbon Menu in File Explorer in Windows 11to its old glory.
9. Show Libraries, Network, This PC
There are certain folders that are hidden by default in the sidebar of File Explorer. This was not the case in Windows 10. However, it is easy to display or add them back.
Go back toFile Explorer Optionsfrom the kebab menu and under theView tab, scroll to the bottom of the list tocheck Show libraries, Show Network, and Show This PC.
These folders act as shortcuts to important files and folders that you may need while working with File Explorer.
10. Benefit From Context Menu
The context menu opens when you right-click inside the File Explorer on Windows. In fact, it works across the OS the same way, however, will display different options depending on the app you are using and where the mouse is pointing.
Inside File Explorer, if you right-click in an empty area, you may group, sort, and even change the view easily.
And if you right-click on a file or folder, you will different options. A lot will also depend on the file type selected. For example, when I select an image, I can see it as a desktop background or wallpaper, rotate it, compress it, etc.
Don’t like Windows Media Player? Open video file using another app. In fact, you can any file type using a 3rd-party app instead of the default one from Context Menu > Open > Open with.
Apart from that, you will also see options from third-party apps like image editors, video players, file editors, etc. Context menu makes it quick and easy to manipulate a file and use it as you want. Right-clicking on a folder will let you copy its path for example.
One of the best features that I like and find myself using a lot is the ability to zip files and folders making it easier to upload, share, and attach them to email or other apps. If you have WinRAR, you may create archive files too. Similarly, you can unzip folders and extract files within. This saves space.
11. Use File Explorer Search
There is a search bar in the top-right corner of the File Explorer to search for files and folders hidden deep within the hierarchy. A little-known Windows 11 File Explorer trick is that it supports not only keywords but also wildcards which makes it a real-time saver.
Some ways you can use File Explorer to search for files are:
Eleven Forums has aninteresting tutorialthat further explores these functions and search operators in detail. Once you see the search results, you may further manipulate them to find what you are looking for.
12. Rename Files in Bulk
We have all been there. You have a bunch of photos from DSLR or smartphone and want to rename them. Another scenario is where you receive a bunch of files from an intern or download from the web and they are named all wrong.
There aremultiple ways to rename files on Windows, some using File Explorer while others using open-source apps and tools.
Explore Files on Windows
These are some of the best and also daily File Explorer tips and tricks for Windows 11 users. Note that Microsoft made several changes to File Explorer and so it looks and functions a little differently on Windows 11 and then on Windows 10. However, the fundamentals remain the same.
However, you don’t have to limit yourself to File Explorer tips and tricks on Windows 11. There are plenty ofthird-party file manager appsthat bring new and innovative features to the table for your perusal. Fancy yourself a pro user? Try them out. Note that while the list was prepared for Windows 10, they work just fine on Windows 11 too.
Gaurav Bidasaria
Gaurav is an editor here at TechWiser but also contributes as a writer. He has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and has written how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and in-depth explainers on Windows, Android, web, and cloud apps, and the Apple ecosystem.
He loves tinkering with new gadgets and learning about new happenings in the tech world.
He has previously worked on Guiding Tech, Make Tech Easier, and other prominent tech blogs and has over 1000+ articles that have been read over 50 million times.
