Solved How can I make W11 File Explorer just like W10


L

lbeck

Well-known member
Member
Local time
8:06 AM
Posts
72
OS
Windows 11
I'm working with Windows 11 for a few months now. Two things that have me frustrated:

1. As hard as I try , I can't get File Explorer to look and work like w10. All files on my "Old" computer were neatly arranged using libraries like Documents, downloads, Music, etc. I had subfolders in each library (e.g., under Documents I had computers - then subdocuments from computers by brand/type/components etc. I can’t even get W11 to break out the various libraries much less subcategorize them
2. W11 has OneDrive as the default for everything that I save, necessitating that I go back and save to My Documents or change e.g., MS Word to default to my preferred location.

Is there a setting to have File Explorer look and behave like W10?

Is there a setting to have File Explorer look and behave like W10?
 
Windows Build/Version
23H2

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 1113th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-13400F 2.50 GHz32.0 GBNVIDIA Gforce RTX 4060
    OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Device name CyberPowerPC
    CPU
    13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-13400F 2.50 GHz
    Memory
    32.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Gforce RTX 4060
    Hard Drives
    2 TB ADATA Legend 800 Gold SSD and several HDDs
    PSU
    650W
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Windows 11 23H2 10.0.26100 Build 26100

  • At a glance

    Windows 10 Home 22H2 19045.4123Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz32.0 GBGforce GTX 745
    Operating System
    Windows 10 Home 22H2 19045.4123
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer_Desktop
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz
    Memory
    32.0 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Gforce GTX 745
    Sound Card
    ONN24
    Hard Drives
    Many
    Keyboard
    JLAB supports 2 computers/monitors
    Mouse
    Acer wired USB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Only what W10 installed
    Other Info
    64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
  • OS Windows 11 Home 25H2, 26200.8894, 5/‎20/‎2025

    Computer type = PC/Laptop

    Manufacturer/Model = HP

    Device name = Victus

    CPU = 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-12700H (2.30 GHz)

    Motherboard

    Memory = 16.0 GB (15.7 GB usable)

    Graphics Card = NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU (4 GB)

    Sound Card = Internal

    Monitor(s) Displays = Attached

    Screen Resolution = UNK

    Hard Drives = 954 GB and several external HDDs

    PSU = UNK

    Case = NA

    Cooling = UNK

    Keyboard = NA

    Mouse = Wireless Logitech (Touchpad also)

    Internet Speed = 31Mbps download; 8.24 Mbps upload

    Browser = Chrome

    Antivirus=Windows Defender only

    Other Info
Hello, :alien:

This below may do the trick.

www.elevenforum.com

Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to restore the classic File Explorer with Ribbon for your account or all users in Windows 11. File Explorer in Windows 10 has a ribbon, tabs, and a title bar with color. The ribbon includes common tasks, such as copying and moving, creating new folders, emailing...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Brink said:
Hello, :alien:

This below may do the trick.

www.elevenforum.com

Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to restore the classic File Explorer with Ribbon for your account or all users in Windows 11. File Explorer in Windows 10 has a ribbon, tabs, and a title bar with color. The ribbon includes common tasks, such as copying and moving, creating new folders, emailing...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
Click to expand...
That has not worked for many years.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ16 GB solderedIntegrated Intel Iris XE
OS
Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
ASUS Zenbook 14
CPU
I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
Motherboard
Yep, Laptop has one.
Memory
16 GB soldered
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated Intel Iris XE
Sound Card
Realtek built in
Monitor(s) Displays
laptop OLED screen
Screen Resolution
2880x1800 touchscreen
Hard Drives
1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
PSU
Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
Case
Yep, got one
Cooling
Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
Keyboard
Built in UK keybd
Mouse
Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
Internet Speed
900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

Macrium Reflect Home V8
Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
Brink said:
Hello, :alien:

This below may do the trick.

www.elevenforum.com

Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to restore the classic File Explorer with Ribbon for your account or all users in Windows 11. File Explorer in Windows 10 has a ribbon, tabs, and a title bar with color. The ribbon includes common tasks, such as copying and moving, creating new folders, emailing...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
Click to expand...
Thanks Brink.

I THINK that it's wrking - but not without a major scare. I followed Option 2 (I think) and clicked on a warning that all the files on my subfolder would be irretrieaviably lost. I clicked anyway. when I restarted Windoew 11 I couldn't find the files saved to the sbfolder! But on browsing the new libraarys setup I've found the *lost* files. So I'm still checking it out, but I think that I've configured File Explorer to my liking. I only wish I'd screen captured my route to the fix.

Just a warning to others trying your fix,
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 1113th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-13400F 2.50 GHz32.0 GBNVIDIA Gforce RTX 4060
    OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Device name CyberPowerPC
    CPU
    13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-13400F 2.50 GHz
    Memory
    32.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Gforce RTX 4060
    Hard Drives
    2 TB ADATA Legend 800 Gold SSD and several HDDs
    PSU
    650W
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Windows 11 23H2 10.0.26100 Build 26100

  • At a glance

    Windows 10 Home 22H2 19045.4123Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz32.0 GBGforce GTX 745
    Operating System
    Windows 10 Home 22H2 19045.4123
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer_Desktop
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz
    Memory
    32.0 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Gforce GTX 745
    Sound Card
    ONN24
    Hard Drives
    Many
    Keyboard
    JLAB supports 2 computers/monitors
    Mouse
    Acer wired USB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Only what W10 installed
    Other Info
    64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
  • OS Windows 11 Home 25H2, 26200.8894, 5/‎20/‎2025

    Computer type = PC/Laptop

    Manufacturer/Model = HP

    Device name = Victus

    CPU = 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-12700H (2.30 GHz)

    Motherboard

    Memory = 16.0 GB (15.7 GB usable)

    Graphics Card = NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU (4 GB)

    Sound Card = Internal

    Monitor(s) Displays = Attached

    Screen Resolution = UNK

    Hard Drives = 954 GB and several external HDDs

    PSU = UNK

    Case = NA

    Cooling = UNK

    Keyboard = NA

    Mouse = Wireless Logitech (Touchpad also)

    Internet Speed = 31Mbps download; 8.24 Mbps upload

    Browser = Chrome

    Antivirus=Windows Defender only

    Other Info
I've been playing with Windhawk. While its installer & UI are a bit slow, it's free and has modules for restoring the classic Explorer Ribbon, and hiding Recommended items from the Start Menu.

1715294062701.png
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7
OS
Windows 7

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Open-Shell is available in GitHub. It can mimic previous versions of Windows. I found I prefer the Windows 7 Pro interface. The Windows 11 interface is still there. It has near endless customization, all while making the native interface available.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro v.24H2 Build 26100.3476Intel Core Ultra Series 132 GB
OS
Windows 11 Pro v.24H2 Build 26100.3476
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Framework 13
CPU
Intel Core Ultra Series 1
Motherboard
Framework
Memory
32 GB
Where is that option to choose the Win7 Pro interface? I must be missing something in the settings.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 24H2 26100.3476Intel Core i5-13500G.Skill DDR4 32GB F4-3200C16-32GVKIntel UHD Graphics 770
OS
Windows 11 24H2 26100.3476
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Various homebuilt
CPU
Intel Core i5-13500
Motherboard
ASUS PRIME H770-PLUS D4
Memory
G.Skill DDR4 32GB F4-3200C16-32GVK
Graphics Card(s)
Intel UHD Graphics 770
PSU
Corsair RM750e ATX
Cooling
DeepCool AK500 Zero Dark
raywood said:
Where is that option to choose the Win7 Pro interface? I must be missing something in the settings.
Click to expand...


In the program: Open Shell

github.com

Release 4.4.195 · Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

What's Changed Fix modern settings on Win11 24H2+ by @ge0rdi in #2091 Fix custom button with auto-hiding taskbar (#2067) Apply taskbar customizations to News and interests (#676) Update StartMenuL...
github.com github.com
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.9168 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2AMD Ryzen 7 3700XG.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.9168 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5302)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1

  • At a glance

    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
Open-Shell can be downloaded from GitHub. I've used it since Windows 8 was released. Like many Linux/UNIX releases, I gives you many options to customize your GUI experience. I still prefer the Windows experience. Look in the "Start Menu Style" tab of Open-Menu settings for the Windows 7 option. Once selected there are numerous other settings to fine-tune the experience.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro v.24H2 Build 26100.3476Intel Core Ultra Series 132 GB
OS
Windows 11 Pro v.24H2 Build 26100.3476
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Framework 13
CPU
Intel Core Ultra Series 1
Motherboard
Framework
Memory
32 GB
This is the tweak posted earlier as I use it:

1745764667423.webp
I put it on the Taskbar beside the original and can choose as desired [the Gear].

1745764735405.webp
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz12GB
    OS
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz16GBOnboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA a...
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
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