General Change Folder to Open File Explorer to by Default in Windows 11

BunnyJ · Jul 22, 2021

Thanks

Brink · Jul 22, 2021

Wynona · Jul 22, 2021

When Windows update gave me Windows 11, I had already changed Quick Access to My PC in Windows 10. Windows 11 picked up all my settings (for the most part), and this was among them.

I don't like Quick Access, but I know that some do. It's good that we have this choice. Aaaaannnnd, I may at some point need this tutorial . . . who knows . . .

Brink · Apr 7, 2022

Tutorial updated for Windows 11 build 22593.

Quick access renamed to Home.
You can now select to open File Explorer to OneDrive.

greg1704 · Apr 23, 2022

Hi,

Thanks for the registry file to direct File Explorer direct to the downloads folder, very useful, Should I ever want to disable this function, is there a way to do this through another registry file or another option?

Thanks

Greg

Brink · Apr 23, 2022

greg1704 said:
Hi,

Thanks for the registry file to direct File Explorer direct to the downloads folder, very useful, Should I ever want to disable this function, is there a way to do this through another registry file or another option?

Thanks

Greg

Hello Greg,

I'm not sure this setting can be disabled.

greg1704 · Apr 23, 2022

Hi Brink,

Thanks for your reply.

I just played around with the registry entry provided and noticed it can be amended as follows by modifying the value:

0 and 2 - both go direct to Quick Access
1 - goes direct to This PC
3 - goes direct to Downloads

Thanks

Greg

atinfo · May 27, 2022

Hi @Brink

Every time I enable or disable "Always show icons, never thumbnails" in Folder Options, Win+E behaviour changes! I have set its default to open the Downloads folder. By ticking or unticking the option (Always show icons …), Win+E opens Quick Access, and I have to set the Reg Key again. Is this a bug?

Brink · May 27, 2022

atinfo said:
Hi @Brink

Every time I enable or disable "Always show icons, never thumbnails" in Folder Options, Win+E behaviour changes! I have set its default to open the Downloads folder. By ticking or unticking the option (Always show icons …), Win+E opens Quick Access, and I have to set the Reg Key again. Is this a bug?

It must be. I'm not seeing the same thing with build 25126.

Lee151 · May 27, 2022

Thank you for this information! I use File Explorer all day long and needed this fix badly.

Wynona · May 27, 2022

Lee151 said:
Thank you for this information! I use File Explorer all day long and needed this fix badly.

The simple solution for changing from Quick Access to This PC on Generally Available Windows 11:

Open File Explorer, click on the three dots at top right, click on options at bottom of the flyout window, then click the down arrow on "Open File Explorer to" and change from Quick Access to This PC.

Brink · Aug 13, 2023

Tutorial updated to add option three to set File Explorer to open to any custom folder location by default.

DLevineCSC · Oct 9, 2023

Is there a local GPO setting or other registry hack to force Win 11 File Explorer to This PC for all users on a domain-joined PC? Windows 11 Enterprise 22H2. I use the policy setting to force the menu bar to show, but can't find a setting to abolish the "Home" view when Explorer opens.

Brink · Oct 9, 2023

DLevineCSC said:
Is there a local GPO setting or other registry hack to force Win 11 File Explorer to This PC for all users on a domain-joined PC? Windows 11 Enterprise 22H2. I use the policy setting to force the menu bar to show, but can't find a setting to abolish the "Home" view when Explorer opens.

Hello,

You can use the method in the tutorial below to remove "Home" from the navigation pane of File Explorer for all users.

Add or Remove Home in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Home in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account or all users in Windows 11. Home in the navigation pane is the default homepage of File Explorer (Win+E) that allows you to quickly access and view your pinned/frequent locations...

www.elevenforum.com

The registry location below would apply the default folder to open File Explorer like in option three but for all users instead, but the "command" key is owned by TrustedInstaller that would have to have rights assigned first.

Code:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}\shell\OpenNewWindow\command]
@="Explorer \"C:\\Windows\""
"DelegateExecute"=""

JACKSPRATNYC · Feb 8, 2024

Hi Shawn: Thanks for this tutorial. Been scrounging around for days since updating PC from 21H2 to 23H2. Prior to the upgrade, I had File Explorer configured to open to C:\. After the upgrade, File Explorer defaulted to "Home" or "This PC". Your method finally allowed me to go back to my custom preference. But, I have another question: Is it possible to automatically 'expand' that folder like before? As it stands now, I have to manually do that. Thanks again for your time & effort.

Brink · Feb 8, 2024

JACKSPRATNYC said:
Hi Shawn: Thanks for this tutorial. Been scrounging around for days since updating PC from 21H2 to 23H2. Prior to the upgrade, I had File Explorer configured to open to C:\. After the upgrade, File Explorer defaulted to "Home" or "This PC". Your method finally allowed me to go back to my custom preference. But, I have another question: Is it possible to automatically 'expand' that folder like before? As it stands now, I have to manually do that. Thanks again for your time & effort.

Hello Jack,

Check using the tutorial below to make sure Expand to current folder is turned on for the navigation pane. That should have it open expanded afterwards.

Turn On or Off Expand Folder in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off automatically expand to current folder in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account in Windows 11. The navigation pane is the far left pane in File Explorer used to find files, folders, and drives on your PC or network. When you...

www.elevenforum.com

JACKSPRATNYC · Feb 8, 2024

Brink said:
Hello Jack,

Check using the tutorial below to make sure Expand to current folder is turned on for the navigation pane. That should have it open expanded afterwards.

Turn On or Off Expand Folder in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off automatically expand to current folder in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account in Windows 11. The navigation pane is the far left pane in File Explorer used to find files, folders, and drives on your PC or network. When you...

www.elevenforum.com

Hello Brink: It appears that in my earlier post, I spoke a bit prematurely. After deploying this reg file: (Set_File_Explorer_to_open_to_custom_location) I created a shortcut for File Explorer to open to C:\. Unfortunately, the shortcut will only open to: "ThisPC" instead, no matter what I do. (*See screenshot). The reason why I prefer the root drive to open is because I have lots of sub folders I work with on a regular basis. BTW, it's not the end of the world if I can't get this to work as in 21H2. I'll just bite the bullet and make the adjustment. I have several desktop computers, plus two laptops in my house. I'll leave them at 21H2 until this is dealt with. Thanks again Brink. You're the best.

Brink · Feb 8, 2024

JACKSPRATNYC said:
Hello Brink: It appears that in my earlier post, I spoke a bit prematurely. After deploying this reg file: (Set_File_Explorer_to_open_to_custom_location) I created a shortcut for File Explorer to open to C:\. Unfortunately, the shortcut will only open to: "ThisPC" instead, no matter what I do. (*See screenshot). The reason why I prefer the root drive to open is because I have lots of sub folders I work with on a regular basis. BTW, it's not the end of the world if I can't get this to work as in 21H2. I'll just bite the bullet and make the adjustment. I have several desktop computers, plus two laptops in my house. I'll leave them at 21H2 until this is dealt with. Thanks again Brink. You're the best.

If you would like to try the REG file below, it uses the same method as option three but preset for the "C:" drive.

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}\shell\OpenNewWindow\command]
@="Explorer \"C:\""
"DelegateExecute"=""

JACKSPRATNYC · Feb 8, 2024

Brink said:
If you would like to try the REG file below, it uses the same method as option three but preset for the "C:" drive.

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}\shell\OpenNewWindow\command] @="Explorer \"C:\"" "DelegateExecute"=""

Say Brink: Thanks for the reg file. I "merged" the file. No go. Still defaulting to that darn "MyPC". Amazing how the ability to fine-tune some of these features can vanish so quickly with a version 'upgrade' on the same OS. Microsoft sure seems to love MyPC in File Explorer, eh? BTW, Out of the 3 options in "Folder Options": 'This PC', 'Home' & 'Downloads', wouldn't it have been smart for the developers to have added a "browse" option so that the user could have selected a default start folder of their choice? Would have made this issue a non-issue.

General Change Folder to Open File Explorer to by Default in Windows 11

Change Folder to Open File Explorer to by Default in Folder Options

Change Folder to Open File Explorer to by Default using REG File

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