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10 Windows File Explorer Features You Should Be Using

This document discusses 10 features of the Windows File Explorer that users should be utilizing. These include shortcuts for quickly opening File Explorer, using tabs in File Explorer, adding folders like the Recycle Bin and Control Panel to the sidebar, enabling the preview pane, deleting search history, running File Explorer as an administrator, hiding checkboxes, customizing the Quick Access folder, adding Google Drive, and setting the default opening location. Tips are provided for how to access each of these features in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

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63 views

10 Windows File Explorer Features You Should Be Using

This document discusses 10 features of the Windows File Explorer that users should be utilizing. These include shortcuts for quickly opening File Explorer, using tabs in File Explorer, adding folders like the Recycle Bin and Control Panel to the sidebar, enabling the preview pane, deleting search history, running File Explorer as an administrator, hiding checkboxes, customizing the Quick Access folder, adding Google Drive, and setting the default opening location. Tips are provided for how to access each of these features in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Uploaded by

jvd1
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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10 Windows File Explorer Features You

Should Be Using
Get the most out of one of Windows' core tools.

The Windows File Explorer is likely one of the most used tools on your PC. It’s the home for
finding files and anything else that might be saved. A few tips and tricks can make it work
even better, whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Quickly Open the File Explorer


There’s a good chance you launch the File Explorer from the Start Menu, but there are
actually a lot of different ways to do it. If you find yourself opening the File Explorer often,
you may want to try a new shortcut.

These shortcuts for Windows 10 also apply to Windows 11. A couple of the quickest
shortcuts include right-clicking the Start Button and using the keyboard combo Windows key
+ E. Of course, pinning the File Explorer to the taskbar is the quickest if you use it a lot.

RELATED: 12 Ways to Open File Explorer in Windows 10

Open Multiple File Explorer Tabs


Many people wanted tabs in Windows 10’s File Explorer feature, but they never arrived.
Microsoft fixed that problem in Windows 11, thankfully. Microsoft added File Explorer tabs
to Windows 11 along with the November 2022 security update.

Tabs in the File Explorer work essentially the same as they do in a web browser. Simply click
the “+” icon in the top bar to open a new Explorer tab, or right-click a folder and select
“Open in New Tab.” You can also press Ctrl+T to open a new tab.

Windows 10 users can still get tabs in File Explorer—they’ll just need to install a third-party
app to get File Explorer tabs on Windows 10.

Add the Recycle Bin and Control Panel to File Explorer

By default, the Recycle Bin and Control Panel don’t appear in the File Explorer. However,
you can easily show them for quick access—an you don’t even have to use the “Quick
Access” feature.

To do so, open File Explorer and right-click any blank space in the left sidebar. Activate
“Show All Folders” from the menu, and you’ll see Recycle Bin and Control Panel. That’s it!

Show the File Explorer Preview Pane


If you’re looking for a specific file, but you can’t remember the filename, the Preview Pane
in File Explorer allows you to take a peek without opening the file. It’s not enabled by
default, but you should turn it on.

Enabling the Preview Pane is different in Windows 10 and Windows 11. In Windows 11,
open File Explorer and select “View” in the top toolbar. Then click Show > Preview Pane
from the menu. Now, when you select a file, you’ll see a preview in the right sidebar.

RELATED: How to Show File Explorer's Preview Pane on Windows 10

Delete Search History from File Explorer

Windows saves the search terms you use in File Explorer. That’s handy for doing repeat
searches, but you may want to clear the suggestions from time to time. Thankfully, it’s easy
to do in Windows 10 and 11.
First, you can simply right-click a term and select “Remove From Device History.” If you
want to remove the full search history, you can do that as well. Follow our guide for doing
this in Windows 10. For Windows 11, you’ll need to click the three-dot icon in the top
toolbar and go to “Options.” From the Options window, click “Clear” next to “Clear File
Explorer History.”

RELATED: How to Delete the Search History in Windows File Explorer

Run File Explorer as Administrator

By default, when you open File Explorer on Windows 11, it opens with standard privileges.
However, you may need to run it with elevated privileges to perform certain tasks or to see
more options. You’ll need to run File Explorer as an admin for that.

Unlike most apps, you can’t simply right-click and select “Run as Administrator.” Instead,
you have to find the Explorer EXE and right-click that to “Run as Administrator.” For both
Windows 10 and 11, you can find the file at This PC > Windows (C:) > Windows.

RELATED: How to Run File Explorer as Administrator in Windows 11

Turn Off File Explorer Check Boxes


Starting in Windows Vista, the File Explorer has shown check boxes when you select a file.
This is to indicate you can select multiple items, but you may find them unnecessary and
annoying.

The good news is it’s easy to hide (or show) the checkboxes in Windows 11 and Windows
10. The process is the same in Windows 10 and 11, but in Windows 10, you can skip clicking
“Show” from the “View” menu.

RELATED: How to Turn Off File Explorer Check Boxes on Windows 11

Add or Remove Folders from Quick Access

“Quick Access” is the area in the left sidebar of the File Explorer that can have folders pinned
for, you guessed it, quick access. It’s filled with a few common folders by default, but you
should customize it for yourself.

All you have to do is right-click a folder and select “Pin to Quick Access” or “Unpin to Quick
Access.” Now you don’t have to go searching for the folder every time.

RELATED: How to Customize File Explorer's Quick Access Toolbar in Windows 10


Add Google Drive to File Explorer

Windows File Explorer doesn’t have to be only for Windows files. You can also add a
shortcut to Google Drive directly in File Explorer. Google provides a tool for getting this up
and running. When you’re done, you’ll have a new “G:” drive in File Explorer for Google
Drive.

RELATED: How to Add Google Drive to File Explorer

Set File Explorer to Open to “This PC”

Windows 10 and 11 open the File Explorer to the “Quick Access” folders by default—
Windows 11 calls this “Home.” You can change it to open to “This PC” instead.
For Windows 11, click the three-dot icon in the File Explorer toolbar and go to Options >
Open File Explorer To and select “This PC.” Click “Apply.”

For Windows 10, click the “View” tab in File Explorer and select “Options.” Under “Open
File Explorer To,” select “This PC” and click “Apply.”

File Explorer is a must-use tool for productivity on a Windows PC, so it’s important to have
it functioning exactly how you want it to be. Hopefully, with these tips and tricks in your
back pocket, there will be less friction between you and your files.

RELATED: 10 Hidden Windows 10 Features You Should Be Using

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