How do I get old-style file explorer back

smoketoxdoc · Mar 18, 2024

I generally run all my PC's on Linux, but I have several that are dual-boot with Win 11, so I can give clients real PowerPoint pptx files instead of pptx files made in LibreOffice.

I had to download data files from a commercial backup service I use for a PowerPoint presentation I will give in a few days. When I went to find the downloaded ZIP files where I would normally find them in File Explorer, they were not there is the Gallery view that File Explorer gave me. Instead, I had to search for *.zip to find them.

What do I need to do to get File Explorer back so where it was several months ago?

Thank you,

John

Spunk · Mar 18, 2024

Disable "Show more options" context menu in Windows 11 Tutorial after that
Then in File (Windows) Explorer go to the Toolbar to View and click Show. put a check next to Navigation Pane. This will show the User folders (ie) Downloads, Documents etc in the Left Pane. Clicking the Downloads folder should show you your downloads.

Steve C · Mar 19, 2024

You can also use Option 3 here to restore the Windows 10 File Explorer ribbon.
Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11 Tutorial

LesFerch · Mar 19, 2024

smoketoxdoc said:
What do I need to do to get File Explorer back so where it was several months ago?

Currently, only the WindHawk mod will give you the Windows 11 pre-App SDK Explorer. However, I do not recommend that mod because your Explorer toolbar may sometimes not display or just be a black bar, depending on other software that it's installed or how Explorer is launched.

There are several ways to switch to the Windows 10 Explorer. The link to the registry settings to do that were previously posted and my SwitchExplorer tool applies (or removes) the same registry settings in a more convenient way (a single portable Exe).

SwitchExplorer

Switch Explorer between the Windows 11 version and the Windows 10 version

lesferch.github.io

Flashorn · Mar 19, 2024

Allot of us use (bought) StartAllBack. As far as I know, I haven't had anything changed since I got it.
I bought it because of the missing top taskbar. You can use it to get back what you are looking for.
It costs $5.00.

StartAllBack to fix all Windows 11 deal-breaking UI issues

StartAllBack restores taskbar, start menu, context menus, explorer, sanity, style and order!

www.startallback.com

LesFerch · Mar 19, 2024

Flashorn said:
Allot of us use (bought) StartAllBack. As far as I know, I haven't had anything changed since I got it.
I bought it because of the missing top taskbar. You can use it to get back what you are looking for.

If @smoketoxdoc wants the Explorer from "several months ago", StartAllBack won't do that. But it can give you the Windows 10 Explorer with Windows 11 style icons (and lots of other cool stuff).