Windows Explorer for W11 to look like Windows Explorer for W10


sparker01915

Active member
Local time
6:01 AM
Posts
18
OS
Windows 11 Pto
The title says it all. I hate the new Windows Explorer for W11. I have the Start11 from Stardock to take care of the Start Menu and Task Bar. Is there anything I can use to make my Explorer to look like W10?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pto
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Dimension G3 3779
    CPU
    i7 8750
    Memory
    16GB
There are many tutorials on personalizing Windows Explorer. I think @Ghot has a list of the most practical to get some resemblance of an older Explorer.

Otherwise, spend a little time looking through these, there might be some tutorials in here that may interest you.

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 1 x 24" LG M38H 1 x 32" LF6300 TV Monitor 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    2 x WD something Something 8TB HDD's / 2 x WD something Something 4TB HDD's / 1 x EVO 1TB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB SSD's / 1 x EVO 250 GB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB (External Hub) / 1 x EVO 1TB (Portable Backup Case)
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Full Tower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22621.2215
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Graphics processor is an Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
A third party tool might do what you want, but within Windows you cannot get the complete old Windows 10 file explorer. However, you can get close to it using the tutorial list @antspants referenced.
The main ones are:

Change file explorer to open to this PC by default Option 2 here Change Folder to Open File Explorer to by Default in Windows 11 Tutorial

Disable "show more options in context menu Disable "Show more options" context menu in Windows 11 Tutorial

Remove home from navigation pane Add or Remove Home in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11 Tutorial

Remove folders from "This PC" Add or Remove Folders under This PC in File Explorer in Windows 11 Tutorial

Remove duplicate removable drives in navigation pane Add or Remove Duplicate Drives in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11 Tutorial



There's no way to permanently change the default look of the modern file explorer command bar but Option 2 here is a workaround you can use to restore the classic ribbon with a shortcut but the shortcut (first and very quickly) opens control panel, then closes control panel after file explorer with ribbon opens, but this is done for every file explorer session you open using the shortcut.
Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11 Tutorial

There are many more changes you can make but this will get you started. When I got through here's what I ended up with.
 

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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3447
    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
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    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

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