How to open multiple instance of File Explorer


Quickest way to open a second explorer window is to right click on any folder and chose "Open in new window".
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    W10 Enterprise LTSCi7-2700K24GBMSI GeForce RTX2060 Super
    OS
    W10 Enterprise LTSC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom
    CPU
    i7-2700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-P67A-D3-B3
    Memory
    24GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce RTX2060 Super
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung curved
    Screen Resolution
    FHD
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO870 SSD 1TB
    Seagate Barracuda HDD 8TB
    PSU
    be quiet 550W
    Case
    CoolerMaster
    Cooling
    be quiet PURE ROCK SLIM BK008
    Keyboard
    KLIM Domination k852
    Mouse
    Logitech standard cordless
    Internet Speed
    10/1 DSL (the fastest line speed available here...)
    Browser
    Mozilla FF 91.2.0esr
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    W10 GUI heavily modified with Stardock Blinds "7 for 10" skin and Startmenu.
    No MS Account and no MS apps.
    I upgraded to W10 only for gaming purposes, otherwise I'd kept my beloved W7 Ultimate x64
  • At a glance

    W11 ProIntel Core i5-25004GBMSI Geforce 1050Ti
    Operating System
    W11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte PH67A-D3-B3
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI Geforce 1050Ti
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    FujitsuSiemens 19"
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 (oldschool 4:3)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO850 SSD 250GB + Samsung 1TB HDD
    PSU
    be quiet 550W
    Case
    Mars MCNW ATX Gaming
    Cooling
    be quiet PURE ROCK SLIM BK008
    Keyboard
    Dell German 102
    Mouse
    oldschool Dell optical wired
    Internet Speed
    slow DSL, 10/1Mbps, but thats the best offer here
    Browser
    Mozilla 91.2.0esr
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    This is an older PC for testing new OS,
    Furthermore: 4 Dell/HP laptops on Win7 Ultimate x64, used for NAS, Media server, browsing, workshop and sound studio
Maybe its just me but when I click on file explorer it opens a new one for me every time I left click on it....
alternative option is shortcut Win-E.
I've not done anything to my OS to allow this its native.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 proRyzen 9 5950x32gb3070ti
OS
Windows 10 pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Me?
CPU
Ryzen 9 5950x
Motherboard
MSI X570 Unify
Memory
32gb
Graphics Card(s)
3070ti
Sound Card
Creative SoundBlaster Z
Monitor(s) Displays
1 x 4k 60hz 1 x 1440p 165hz
Screen Resolution
1440p
Hard Drives
1tb sabrent rocket gen 4, 1tb 970 evo gen 3 - nvme.
2tb 860 evo
2tb Firecuda
PSU
Corsair HX1200i platinum
Case
Coolermaster C700P
Cooling
Custom water loop
Keyboard
Corsair Strafe mk2
Mouse
Corsair darkcore pro
Internet Speed
70
Browser
Edge/Chrome
Antivirus
ESET
I just press winkey+e each time I want another instance.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProRyzen 9 3900xCorsair Dominator Platinum 32Gb@3600MHzAsus Strix 3080 Ti OC
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 3900x
    Motherboard
    Asus Strix x570-E
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum 32Gb@3600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Strix 3080 Ti OC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung Odyssey G7 32" Curved Gaming Monitor, IIYAMA XUB2792QSU-W1 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440@240Hz, 2560x1440@70Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1 Tb (OS), Samsung 970 Pro 1 Tb (games), Samsung 860 Evo 1Tb (data), Samsung 860 Evo 4 Tb (games), Crucial MX500 1Tb (photos), Synology DS920+ 32 Tb NAS.
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Corsair Crystal 680x
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i Se Platinum, 8 Corsair QL120/140 fans
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB Mk 2 SE Rapid Fire
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 Elite
    Internet Speed
    58/12 Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender + Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Astro a50 Headset, Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Tablet.
    Creative T6300 5.1 Speakers. TPM 2.0 Module.
  • At a glance

    Arch Linux KDERyzen 5600xCorsair Vengeance 32Gb@3200MHzGigabyte RTX2070 Super Gaming OC
    Operating System
    Arch Linux KDE
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5600x
    Motherboard
    Asus Strix B550-E
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 32Gb@3200MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX2070 Super Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    Creative Soundblaster AE-5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus Strix XG43VQ 43" Ultrawide
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1200 @ 120Mhz
    Hard Drives
    Aorus Gen 4 NVMe 1 Tb (Windows Insider), Samsung 850 Pro 512Gb (data), Samsung 850 Evo 1Tb (backups), Samsung 860 Evo 2Tb (Home folder), Blu-ray player
    PSU
    Corsair RM750i
    Case
    Fractal Define R6
    Cooling
    Scythe Mugen 5 rev B and Corsair QL fans
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 Low Profile Rapidfire
    Mouse
    Glorious Model D
    Internet Speed
    58/12 Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender + Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Corsair Virtuoso Headset
not sure what exactly you are referring to... as many have given ways to do the same task...

to launch each instance in its own process:
folder options > View > Launch folder windows in a separate process

to open multiple file explorer windows:
open it once > right click on taskbar icon > File Explorer
or
Win + E repeatedly

for tabbed explorer windows:
qttabbar has released a new version that is compatible with windows 11
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Pulcinella (Oct 21, 2021) above solved my problem, but left info out. The difference between "before" and "not getting multiple instances" is
before, the icon's Target field just specified the path\filename. Now it needs to specify C:\Windows\explorer.exe. You can also dictate what folder to open at using a parameter. Example: icon's Properties > Target: C:\Windows\explorer.exe /n,target (ex: "C:\Users\username\.....".
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 and Windows 11
OS
Windows 10 and Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP
Browser
Chrome
I have several shortcuts to various folders, including "This PC" on my desktop. Every click opens another instance of the folder in a new window.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Ryzen 9 5900X16GB DDR4RTX 3070
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Stormforce Prism RTX 3070
CPU
Ryzen 9 5900X
Motherboard
Asus AMD TUF Gaming X570-Plus ATX Motherboard – Aura Sync RGB
Memory
16GB DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3070
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung U32H850UMU 32 inch 4K
Screen Resolution
3840x2160
Hard Drives
1 x M2.2
1x M2.1
5 x HDD
Cooling
Cooler Master 120L AIO Watercooler
Keyboard
Rii wireless
Mouse
Generic cable
Internet Speed
320Mbps
Browser
Firefox & Chrome
Antivirus
Norton
Windows key+E will open as many separate instances of Explorer as you want. 22H2 will bring explorer tabs with it that will work in one instance of explorer..

I don't use multiple displays but I believe you will only be able to check this item when you have connected your secondary display to your computer. Otherwise, this option will remain greyed out. Is it connected and on?
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8875i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8875
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8875AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8875
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8875
Try right click on the File explorer in Taskbar. You'll get all the folders you need. And you can pin them so they always appear at the top... I prefer my desktop clean

1659039888180.png
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 DevIntel I3 1010016 GB DDR4 CrucialIntel on chip
    OS
    Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Dev
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I3 10100
    Motherboard
    ASUS B460M
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4 Crucial
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel on chip
    Sound Card
    Realtek onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24, LG 24
    Screen Resolution
    Full HD x 2
    Hard Drives
    kingston A2000 NVMe PCIe 500 GB
    PSU
    LC Power 650W
    Case
    Noname
    Cooling
    Air 2x 120mm
    Keyboard
    Cherry G-81
    Mouse
    Logitech M500
    Internet Speed
    100/20
    Browser
    Firefox, Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
  • At a glance

    Windows 10 HomeRyzen 7 4700u8 GB DDR4AMD Vega
    Operating System
    Windows 10 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS/Vivobook Flip 14
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 4700u
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Vega
    Sound Card
    Realtek onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14"
    Screen Resolution
    FullHD
    Hard Drives
    512 Samsung NVMe PCIe
    PSU
    -
    Case
    Laptop
    Mouse
    Touchpad, Touchscreen
    Internet Speed
    100/20
    Browser
    Firefox, Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
Back
Top Bottom