How to change the default destination folder for a New Tab in File Explorer?

Mistergom · Aug 28, 2023

Hello!

I was wondering if there is a way to change the destination of a New Tab (+) in explorer?
I don't want to jump in "My PC", I would like to jump into a specific folder with a specific path, or to jump to a specific Drive.

That was possible with QTTabBar, but I cannot use it anymore, seems discontinued and occurs some bugs now...

Thanks!

Edwin · Aug 28, 2023

Mistergom said:
That was possible with QTTabBar, but I cannot use it anymore, seems discontinued and occurs some bugs now...

QTTabBar version 1038 is working fine for me on W11 25915

Mistergom · Aug 29, 2023

Good for you! I've used QTTabBar for years but encountered issues and glitches (such as refresh problems and drag-and-drop) with the new File Explorer that has tabs. I also don't want/need two bars in the Explorer...

Mistergom · Oct 22, 2023

Hello, I'm still wondering how to change the destination folder for a new tab in Explorer, no software overlay to do that? No registry tweaks? I haven't succeeded to find a solution...

dacrone · Oct 22, 2023

Why not write a batch to launch explorer with two tabs opened to different locations?

Mistergom · Oct 22, 2023

I don't aim to launch explorer with two tabs. But when I'm working in explorer, and "add a new tab" (Ctrl+T), or more, I would like to point a specific folder...

dacrone · Oct 22, 2023

GitHub - tariibaba/WinENFET: Make Win + E hotkey open a new File Explorer tab instead of a new window

Make Win + E hotkey open a new File Explorer tab instead of a new window - GitHub - tariibaba/WinENFET: Make Win + E hotkey open a new File Explorer tab instead of a new window

github.com

edit the code for this to a new path instead of ThisPC and then you can do so with Win+E keyboard shortcut

Edwin · Oct 22, 2023

Mistergom said:
I don't aim to launch explorer with two tabs. But when I'm working in explorer, and "add a new tab" (Ctrl+T), or more, I would like to point a specific folder...

Whatever Folder Options allows...

Wheel-click in the Nav Pane opens in a new background tab...

Brink · Oct 22, 2023

Hello,

You could use option three in the tutorial below to have File Explorer and new tab open by default to a custom folder location you want.

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

This tutorial will show you how to set File Explorer to open to either This PC, Home (Quick access), OneDrive, Downloads, or a custom location by default for your account in Windows 11. File Explorer opens to Home (Quick access) by default in Window 11, but you can change File Explorer to open...

www.elevenforum.com

Mistergom · Oct 22, 2023

Thanks, yes I know that wheel-click will open the folder I clicked on. But it is different than opening a new tab.
Let's imagine that I want to open "E:/MyFiles/Stock/Photos"...

I already use option three of this tutorial but it seems that is not working for "a new tab"...

Edwin · Oct 22, 2023

Mistergom said:
Let's imagine that I want to open "E:/MyFiles/Stock/Photos"...

Lemme get this straight..., every time you click on the + sign on the Tab Bar, you want it to open E/MyFiles/Stock/Photos???

Mistergom · Oct 22, 2023

Edwin said:
Lemme get this straight..., every time you click on the + sign on the Tab Bar, you want it to open E/MyFiles/Stock/Photos???

Yes!

Edwin · Oct 22, 2023

Mistergom said:
Yes!

K..., seein as how Brink's tut doesn't work, pin E/MyFiles/Stock/Photos to Quick Access and wheel click it. What else ya gonna do?

Mistergom · Oct 22, 2023

Edwin said:
K..., seein as how Brink's tut doesn't work, pin E/MyFiles/Stock/Photos to Quick Access and wheel click it. What else ya gonna do?

Because you can not call a folder in a new tab with a shortcut, right? Like "add new tab" does, Ctrl+T.

Before, QTTabBar do this job very well, but it is not up to date and too instable now...

dacrone · Oct 22, 2023

...here. i did it for you...

make a .ahk (you need to install autohotkey) with this coding:

#e::
if WinExist("ahk_class CabinetWClass") {
WinActivate
Send +{F6}
Send ^t
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {DOWN}
Sleep 75
Send {ENTER}
} else {
Run, explorer.exe
}
return

adjust the keystrokes as needed. i have my "Pictures" folder here, hence the keystrokes chosen:

then, run the .ahk at startup. it will run in the system tray. when you press "Windows+E" keyboard shortcut, it will launch a new tab and direct the navigation to desired folder.

uiop_on · Apr 12, 2024

@Mistergom did you manage to find a solution to this? I would also like to set a default folder for Windows Explorer (both the initial startup, and subsequent new tabs)... and haven't found anything yet.

dacrone · Jun 6, 2025

uiop_on said:
@Mistergom did you manage to find a solution to this? I would also like to set a default folder for Windows Explorer (both the initial startup, and subsequent new tabs)... and haven't found anything yet.

you can use autohotkey to reroute new tabs per key combo.
ie - you can use CTRL+R to open explorer to a new tab with a custom path....
i made an ahk script to launch it to D:\ and attached it here. it'll run in your tray. CTRL+R will open a new tab in explorer to D:
if you want a different path, let me know

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