This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off always open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab in same File Explorer window for your account in Windows 11.
Currently, you can set to either always Open each folder in the same window (default) or Open each folder in its own folder by default in File Explorer.
Starting with Windows 11 build 22635.4800 (Beta), Microsoft is temporarily disabling the change that began rolling out with Build 22635.4580 where File Explorer opens in a new tab by default if you have an existing File Explorer window open when launching File Explorer from outside of File Explorer (for example, from an app or from the desktop) to address some issues.
Starting with Windows 11 build 22635.5170 (Beta 23H2), build 26120.3872 (Beta 24H2), and build 26200.5562 (Dev), Microsoft is starting to roll out the change again so that when you launch File Explorer folders from outside of File Explorer (for example, from an app or from the desktop), by default they will now open in a new tab if you have an existing File Explorer window.
Starting with Windows 11 build 26220.7262 (Dev and Beta), Microsoft is temporarily stopping the roll out of the ability for newly launched File Explorer folders to open in tabs instead of windows, as it wasn’t working correctly. Appreciate your patience.
It is required to have Open each folder in the same window turned on (checked) to have Open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab available to check/uncheck.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off "Open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab" in Folder Options
- Option Two: Turn On or Off "Open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab" using REG file
Turn On or Off "Open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab" in Folder Options
1 Open Folder Options.
2 In the General tab under Browse folders, check (on - default) or uncheck (off) Open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab for what you want. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on OK.
Turn On or Off "Open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab" using REG file
1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you want.
2 Turn On "Open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab"
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_ON_Open_desktop_folders_and_external_folder_links_in_new_tab.reg
Download
(Contents of .reg file)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
"OpenFolderInNewTab"=dword:000000013 Turn Off "Open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab"
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_OFF_Open_desktop_folders_and_external_folder_links_in_new_tab.reg
Download
(Contents of .reg file)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
"OpenFolderInNewTab"=dword:000000004 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
