How do I get old-style file explorer back


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smoketoxdoc

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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
 
Windows Build/Version
Edition Windows 11 Pro Version 24H2 Installed on ‎3/‎17/‎2024 OS build 26080.1 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.1.0

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  • too many to list and all old or were purchased used
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.
 

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

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OS
Windows 10/11
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Acer
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
 

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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.
Click to expand...
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).
 

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OS
Windows 10/11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Acer
winaero.com

Winaero Tweaker 1.63 is available

I am releasing Winaero Tweaker 1.63. It includes several new features and some fixes. Here we go. The app should now properly detect the Windows version,
winaero.com

new release can permanently enable FE with ribbon.

heres the reg mod to do so:

winaero.com

How to Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11

You can restore the Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11 if you are not happy with the modern one. As of this writing, it is a matter of one
winaero.com
 
Last edited:

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Windows 11 Pro
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Windows 11 Pro
dacrone said:
winaero.com

Winaero Tweaker 1.63 is available

I am releasing Winaero Tweaker 1.63. It includes several new features and some fixes. Here we go. The app should now properly detect the Windows version,
winaero.com

new release can permanently enable FE with ribbon.
Click to expand...
The registry settings applied by Winaero Tweaker 1.63 are missing the change to make the old FE remember its window position.
 

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At a glance

Windows 10/11
OS
Windows 10/11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Acer
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