Personalization Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11


File_Explorer_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to restore the classic File Explorer with Ribbon for your account or all users in Windows 11.

File Explorer in Windows 10 has a ribbon, tabs, and a title bar with color. The ribbon includes common tasks, such as copying and moving, creating new folders, emailing and zipping items, and changing the view. The tabs change to show extra tasks that apply to the selected item. You can hide or show the ribbon on demand.

In Windows 11, Microsoft made File Explorer modern with a clean look and brand-new command bar instead of the ribbon.

If you prefer, you can restore the classic File Explorer with ribbon in Windows 11.


Contents

  • Option One: Temporarily Open File Explorer with Ribbon
  • Option Two: Create Shortcut to Always Open File Explorer with Ribbon
  • Option Three: Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for Current User using REG file


EXAMPLE: File Explorer with command bar and ribbon in Windows 11

File_Explorer_with_command_bar.webp
File_Explorer_with_ribbon.png





Option One

Temporarily Open File Explorer with Ribbon


This option will open a File Explorer window with the ribbon.

You will be able to browse and navigate in this File Explorer window with a ribbon only for as long as this window is open.


1 Open the Control Panel.

2 Perform one of the following actions depending on which Control Panel view is used: (see screenshots below)
  • If using small icons view, click/tap twice on the Up arrow.
  • If using large icons view, click/tap twice on the Up arrow.
  • If using category view, click/tap once on the Up arrow.
Control_Panel_small_icons_view.png
Control_Panel_large_icons_view.png
Control_Panel_category_view.png

3 You will now have a File Explorer window with the ribbon open. (see screenshot below)

File_Explorer_window_with_ribbon.png





Option Two

Create Shortcut to Always Open File Explorer with Ribbon


You can Pin to Taskbar, Pin to Start, add to Start menu All apps, assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy usage.


If there's a folder or location you want File Explorer to open to by default that's not listed below, then please post a request for it. I'll be happy to add it to the shortcut list below for you.


The shortcut commands below will only work with an English language installation. If you use a different language, then please post a request for a translated version of the shortcut command you want to use. "Control Panel" and the folder name (ex: "Desktop") in the command needs to be translated for your language instead.



1 Create a new shortcut using the command below for the path you want:

Open File Explorer to Desktop with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lDesktop~"'")}"

OR

Open File Explorer to Home with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lHome~"'")}"

OR

Open File Explorer to OneDrive with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lShell:OneDrive~"'")}"

OR

Open File Explorer to This PC with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lThis PC~"'")}"




Option Three

Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for Current User using REG file


This option will only work on Windows 11 version 23H2 and higher.


1 Do step 2 (classic) or step 3 (default - undo) below for what you would like to do.


 2. Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for Current User

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Restore_classic_File_Explorer_with_ribbon_for_current_user.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{2aa9162e-c906-4dd9-ad0b-3d24a8eef5a0}\InProcServer32]
@=""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33}\InProcServer32]
@=""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\ShellBrowser]
"ITBar7Layout"=hex:13,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,20,00,00,00,10,00,01,00,\
  00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,01,07,00,00,5e,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00


 3. Restore Modern File Explorer with Command Bar and Tabs for Current User

This is the default setting to undo step 2.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Default_modern_File_Explorer_with_command_bar_for_current_user.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{2aa9162e-c906-4dd9-ad0b-3d24a8eef5a0}]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33}]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\ShellBrowser]
"ITBar7Layout"=hex:13,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,20,00,00,00,10,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,01,07,00,00,5e,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.

6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

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

9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
Ghot said:
Apparently, we got another reprieve with Control Panel.
I guess we'll have to see how long it lasts this time.
Click to expand...
I wonder if all the CP Applet rundll's will execute on their own, or, are they gonna hafta rewrite all those too! 🤷‍♂️

0007543.jpg
 

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  • At a glance

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  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
Edwin said:
I wonder if all the CP Applet rundll's will execute on their own, or, are they gonna hafta rewrite all those too!
Click to expand...


I'd imagine that they will slowly make anything you click on in Control Panel... open "Settings" instead.
They've been slowly doing that for a while now. Like we wouldn't notice. LOL
 

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    Operating System
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    Computer type
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    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
nah we can still do this by adding to the nav pane to generate a clsid, then unpin from the pane lol. they can wag their finger all they want... cant stop it until they make the os 100% restricted. will always be ways to modify
 

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At a glance

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OS
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I just realized, (or, should I say, re-realized), you can't have the Details Pane and the Preview Pane opened simultaneously!
Kind of pointless to have the Details Pane on the right.
Although, it doesn't matter..., with the exception of the preview size, you can still invoke an instance, slideshow or playlist, etc. from either.
 

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  • At a glance

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  • At a glance

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    Operating System
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  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
Edwin said:
Kind of pointless to have the Details Pane on the right.
Click to expand...
Indeed.
New generations of developers think they have to reinvent the wheel. :(
It sure is taking them longer to get to the spokes.
 

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Huh???...
Don't know where you went, but...,

that copy of OldExplorer now opens to: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Public
 

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    ASUS ROG Strix

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    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
OldExplorer 2.0.0 is now available. It's completely rewritten to eliminate the flash of the Control Panel and eliminate the use of send keys.

It's now similar to using the two GUID shortcuts listed above, but with the added feature that the navigation bar will show the proper path instead of "Control Panel" and the corresponding drive or folder will typically be selected in the Navigation bar instead of sitting at "Quick Access".

OldExplorer

Launch Windows 10 Explorer on Windows 11
lesferch.github.io
 

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Edwin said:
Huh???...
Don't know where you went, but...,

that copy of OldExplorer now opens to: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Public
Click to expand...
Fixed.
 

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Edwin said:
Opens to C:\
Click to expand...
That's working as designed. If you want to go to a different path, just specify it on the command line. Details in the docs.
 

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Okay..., working as expected! (y)
Opens to This PC with multiple select Details Pane on right...,
and, all the QTTabBar groups, tabs and jump lists follow the same attributes within that Explorer instance, as per everything we discussed in this thread!!! (y)
Good work, @LesFerch ! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

0007570.jpg
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
The only glitch I encountered is when I pin OldExplorer to the Taskbar, when invoked, it opens an actual instance to the right, but, that's a Windows thing! I worked it out another way, so no biggie!

0007572.jpg
 

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System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
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    ASUS ROG Strix

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
LesFerch said:
I guess you must have created a shortcut and then dragged that to the taskbar.
Click to expand...
Nope, just pinned the .exe, but, neither way works for me. 🤷‍♂️
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
LesFerch said:
I have "Combine task bar buttons" set to "Always". Maybe that's the difference.
Click to expand...
Same here, still no go.

No big deal for me though, QTTabBar's Desktop middle-click context menu remembers every .exe I invoke...

0007574.jpg
 

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    Windows 11 Pro
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  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
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    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
Edwin said:
The only glitch I encountered is when I pin OldExplorer to the Taskbar, when invoked, it opens an actual instance to the right, but, that's a Windows thing!
Click to expand...
The window opened by OldExplorer is an Explorer window, so it's going to open under the Explorer icon on the taskbar. I didn't really notice anything (when I tested yesterday) because I already have an Explorer icon on the taskbar. If you don't already have an Explorer icon on the taskbar, then one is going to appear.

Since it's one program opening another, I don't think there's any way to have the windows appear under the OldExplorer icon. I think all I can do is give OldExplorer its own unique icon, so it doesn't give the appearance that something's wrong.

Edit: Actually, the OldExplorer icon is already a little different than the Windows 11 Explorer icon. It looks like the icons ended up being set the same with your custom taskbar configuration.
 
Last edited:

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@LesFerch

is this able to implemented into your old explorer app?

winaero.com

Make Explorer open custom folder instead of This PC or Quick Access in Windows 10

You can make File Explorer open a custom folder instead of This PC or Quick Access in Windows 10. All you need is to apply a Registry tweak as described here.
winaero.com

i'm assuming thats how windhawk does it:

Details Pane in File Explorer

I can confirm the @ThioJoe way is best..., as long as you navigate within that Explorer instance!
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

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OS
Windows 11 Pro
dacrone said:
@LesFerch

is this able to implemented into your old explorer app?

winaero.com

Make Explorer open custom folder instead of This PC or Quick Access in Windows 10

You can make File Explorer open a custom folder instead of This PC or Quick Access in Windows 10. All you need is to apply a Registry tweak as described here.
winaero.com

i'm assuming thats how windhawk does it:

Details Pane in File Explorer

I can confirm the @ThioJoe way is best..., as long as you navigate within that Explorer instance!
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
Click to expand...
You can use option three below for this. :alien:

www.elevenforum.com

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 www.elevenforum.com
 

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dacrone said:
@LesFerch

is this able to implemented into your old explorer app?

winaero.com

Make Explorer open custom folder instead of This PC or Quick Access in Windows 10

You can make File Explorer open a custom folder instead of This PC or Quick Access in Windows 10. All you need is to apply a Registry tweak as described here.
winaero.com
Click to expand...

Yes, you can make a registry entry like this:

Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}\shell\OpenNewWindow\command]
@="\"C:\\Tools\\OldExplorer.exe\" \"This PC\""
"DelegateExecute"=""

Of course, change the path to your location for OldExplorer.exe and change "This PC" to whatever you want as a start folder.

I could add command line options to add or remove these registry entries for you. I think that would be a nice addition.
 

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glad it'll work. just doin what i can to help
 

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At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
OldExplorer 2.1.0 is now available.

Added command line option to make OldExplorer launch by default instead of Explorer (in specific scenarios). See readme for details.

OldExplorer

Launch Windows 10 Explorer on Windows 11
lesferch.github.io
 

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At a glance

Windows 10/11
OS
Windows 10/11
Computer type
Laptop
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Acer
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