Solved How can I make W11 File Explorer just like W10


lbeck

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Windows 10 and 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 Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 and 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Device name Acer_Desktop and CyberPowerPC
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz
    Memory
    32.0 GB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Device name Acer_Desktop
    Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz
    Installed RAM 32.0 GB
    Device ID A34B9F2D-3C1F-4637-A6FF-03E1E9D4BFC5
    Product ID 00326-10000-00000-AA602
    System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
    Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display
    Edition Windows 11 Home
    Version 23H2
    Installed on ‎11/‎28/‎2020
    OS build 19045.3086
    Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.19041.1000.0
Hello, :alien:

This below may do the trick.

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • 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,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Hello, :alien:

This below may do the trick.

That has not worked for many years.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
Hello, :alien:

This below may do the trick.

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 Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 and 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Device name Acer_Desktop and CyberPowerPC
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz
    Memory
    32.0 GB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Device name Acer_Desktop
    Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz
    Installed RAM 32.0 GB
    Device ID A34B9F2D-3C1F-4637-A6FF-03E1E9D4BFC5
    Product ID 00326-10000-00000-AA602
    System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
    Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display
    Edition Windows 11 Home
    Version 23H2
    Installed on ‎11/‎28/‎2020
    OS build 19045.3086
    Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.19041.1000.0
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

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7

My Computers

System One System Two

  • 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,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

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