General Open Folder in New or Same window in Windows 11


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Open_in_new_window_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to open a folder, drive, or library in the same window or in its own new window for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

While you browse in File Explorer, you can open each folder in the same window or in its own new window.


Contents

  • Option One: Open Folder in New window using Keyboard Shortcut
  • Option Two: Open Folder in New window or Same window using Keyboard Shortcut
  • Option Three: Open Folder in New window using Context Menu
  • Option Four: Open Folder in New window using Middle Click
  • Option Five: Always Open Each Folder in New window or Same window by Default using Folder Options
  • Option Six: Always Open Each Folder in New window or Same window by Default using Registry Editor




Option One

Open Folder in New Window using Keyboard Shortcut


1 Press the Ctrl + N keys to open the currently opened folder, drive, or library in a new window.




Option Two

Open Folder in New window or Same window using Keyboard Shortcut


This option will perform the opposite default action you set in Option Four or Option Five.


1 Select the folder background, folder(s), drive(s), and/or library you want to open in the same window or new window.

2 Press the Ctrl + Enter keys.




Option Three

Open Folder in New window using Context Menu


1 Select the folder(s), drive(s), and/or library you want to open in a new window.

2 Perform one of the following actions: (see screenshots below)
  • Right click on the selected items, and click/tap on Open in new window.
  • Press and hold the Shift key, right click on the selected items, release the Shift key, and click/tap on Open in new window.
Open_in_new_window_context_menu-1.png
Open_in_new_window_context_menu-2.png

Open_in_new_window_context_menu-3.png
Open_in_new_window_context_menu-4.png





Option Four

Open Folder in New window using Middle Click


This option is only available starting with Windows 11 build 25145.


1 Middle click on a folder in the body of File Explorer.




Option Five

Always Open Each Folder in New window or Same window by Default using Folder Options


1 Open Folder Options.

2 In the General tab, select (dot) Open each folder in the same window (default) or Open each folder in its own folder for what you want under the top Browse folders section. (see screenshot below)

3 Click/tap on OK.

Open_each_folder_in_same_or_own_window.png





Option Six

Always Open Each Folder in New window or Same window by Default using Registry Editor


1 Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).

2 Navigate to the registry key location below in the left pane Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState

Open_each_folder_in_same_or_new_window_regedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of the CabinetState key, double click/tap on the Settings binary value to modify it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (same window) or step 6 (new window) below for what you want.

5 Open Each Folder in the Same window by Default

This is the default setting.


A) In the 5th column of the top 00000000 row, change 2A to 0A, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​

You would do this by clicking to the left of 2A to place the cursor there, press the Delete key, then type 0A.


Open_each_folder_in_same_or_new_window_regedit-2.png

6 Open Each Folder in New window by Default

A) In the 5th column of the top 00000000 row, change 0A to 2A, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​

You would do this by clicking to the left of 0A to place the cursor there, press the Delete key, then type 2A.


Open_each_folder_in_same_or_new_window_regedit-3.png

7 Close Registry Editor.

8 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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Ctrl+Click on a folder does not work in Single Click mode. I hope MS address this one like the Ctrl+Backspace (deleting or renaming file and folders).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    i7
    Hard Drives
    SSD
Is there a way yet to open each window in a new tab instead of new or same window? right-clicking > open in new tab is a waste of time haha
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
For me explorer tabs have been a great addition since I have to have many folders open when I'm working. Thank you Microsoft! :-)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    MAG B550 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI (MS-7C91)
    Memory
    16 GBytes DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 580 Series
    Sound Card
    Built In
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    M.2 x 2 + Sata x 6 = More space then I need ;)
    PSU
    No
    Case
    Old
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Standard
    Mouse
    Standard
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • Operating System
    Several mixed Debian flavors
    Manufacturer/Model
    Raspberry Pi Foundation / Models 2, 3 and 4
    CPU
    BCM2836, BCM2837 and BCM2711
    Motherboard
    Raspberry Pi 2, 3 and 4
    Memory
    1 GB, 1 GB and 8 GB
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    standard hdmi out on 2 and 3. 4Kx2 mini hdmi out on 4.
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    Build in
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    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    Display Resolution
    Hard Drives
    All M.2
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    Heat Sink
    Mouse
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Standard
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    N/A

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