General Switch Between File Explorer Tabs in Windows 11


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File_Explorer_banner.png

This tutorial will help show you different ways to switch between open 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.

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


Contents

  • Option One: Switch to Tab in File Explorer using Click/Tap
  • Option Two: Switch to Tab in File Explorer using Keyboard Shortcut
  • Option Three: Switch to Next Tab in File Explorer using Keyboard Shortcut
  • Option Four: Switch to Previous Tab in File Explorer using Keyboard Shortcut


EXAMPLE: Tabs in File Explorer

File_Explorer_tabs.png





Option One

Switch to Tab in File Explorer using Click/Tap


1 Click/tap on the tab in File Explorer you want to switch to.




Option Two

Switch to Tab in File Explorer using Keyboard Shortcut


1 Press the Ctrl + 1 to 9 keys to switch to one of the first nine tabs from left to right in File Explorer.




Option Three

Switch to Next Tab in File Explorer using Keyboard Shortcut


1 Press the Ctrl + Tab keys to switch or cycle to the next tab to the right of the current tab in File Explorer.




Option Four

Switch to Previous Tab in File Explorer using Keyboard Shortcut


1 Press the Ctrl Shift + Tab keys to switch or cycle to the previous tab to the left of the current tab in File Explorer.



That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

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Last edited:
It's about time MS gave the masses what they wanted and it can't come soon enough to the release build. Thanks Brink.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    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
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    Benq 27
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    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
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    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
It's about time MS gave the masses what they wanted and it can't come soon enough to the release build. Thanks Brink.
Yep - unless MS do a surprise and add it to Beta, we are still a year away from seeing it in RTM regrettably.

Edit: well MS did spring a surprise with late inclusion into Beta/RP channel.

Still not a certainty yet as going through A/B testing but MS would annoy the crap out of Insiders if file explorer tabs were rejected at this late stage. With MS, one can never tell!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
i have windows 11 22H2 build 22621.105 but i have no tabs in file explorer.is there a workaround!?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 @ 2.80GHz 57 °C Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0K0DNP (CPU 1)
    Memory
    4.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Generic PnP Monitor (1366x768@40Hz) Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Dell)
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    single
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD2500BPVT-75JJ5T0
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    8mb
    Browser
    ms edge
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    http://u.pc.cd/TPRotalK
i have windows 11 22H2 build 22621.105 but i have no tabs in file explorer.is there a workaround!?


vivetool addconfig 39145991 2 (NWMTest1)
vivetool addconfig 37634385 2 (TIFE)
vivetool addconfig 36354489 2 (SV2Navpane)

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 Canary
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M15 Ryzen Edition R6
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    1 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB

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