General Open and Close Tabs in File Explorer in Windows 11


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File_Explorer_banner.png

This tutorial will help show you different ways to open and close tabs in File Explorer for your account in Windows 11.

Starting with Windows 11 build 25136 and build 22621.160, the title bar of File Explorer now has tabs to help you work across multiple locations at the same time.

Starting with Windows 11 build 22622.575, middle clicking a folder in the navigation pane of File Explorer will now open it in a new tab, like clicking a folder in the body of File Explorer already does.

Tabs in File Explorer is now available to everyone in Windows 11 build 22621.675 version 22H2.

Starting with Windows 11 version 22H2 KB5030310 Build 22621.2361, Microsoft has added the ability to tear out and merge tabs in File Explorer.

Contents

  • Option One: Open New Tab in File Explorer using Keyboard Shortcut
  • Option Two: Open New Tab in File Explorer from Title Bar
  • Option Three: Open New Tab in File Explorer by Middle Clicking
  • Option Four: Open Location in New Tab in File Explorer from Context Menu
  • Option Five: Close Current Tab using Keyboard Shortcut
  • Option Six: Close Tab in File Explorer from Tab on Title Bar
  • Option Seven: Close Tab in File Explorer from Tab menu
  • Option Eight: Close All Other Tabs in File Explorer from Tab menu
  • Option Nine: Close All Tabs to the Right in File Explorer from Tab menu




Option One

Open New Tab in File Explorer using Keyboard Shortcut


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, press the Ctrl + T keys to open a new tab.




Option Two

Open New Tab in File Explorer from Title Bar


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, click/tap on the Add new tab (+) button on the title bar. (see screenshot below)

Open_new_tab_from_File_Explorer_title_bar.png





Option Three

Open New Tab in File Explorer by Middle Clicking


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, middle click on a drive, folder, or library location you want to open in a new tab.




Option Four

Open Location in New Tab in File Explorer from Context Menu


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, right click on a drive, folder, or library location you want to open in a new tab. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Open in new tab.

Open_in_new_tab_context_menu.png





Option Five

Close Current Tab using Keyboard Shortcut


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, press the Ctrl + W keys when you want to close the currently open tab.




Option Six

Close Tab in File Explorer from Tab on Title Bar


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, click/tap on the Close tab (X) button on the tab you want to close on the title bar. (see screenshot below)

Close_tab_from_File_Explorer_title_bar.png





Option Seven

Close Tab in File Explorer from Tab menu


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, right click on the tab you want to close on the title bar. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Close tab in the drop menu.

Close_tab.png





Option Eight

Close All Other Tabs in File Explorer from Tab menu


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, right click on the tab you want to keep open while closing all other tabs. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Close other tabs in the drop menu to close all tabs except the tab in step 1.

Close_other_tabs.png





Option Nine

Close All Tabs to the Right in File Explorer from Tab menu


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, right click on the tab you want to keep open while closing all tabs to the right of this tab. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Close tabs to the right in the drop menu to close all tabs to the right of the tab in step 1.

Close_tabs_to_the_right.png



That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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so basic.
 

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