Summary
The Windows File Explorer has existed in some form since the earliest versions of Windows. However, despite the fact that we are all familiar with File Explorer, most people probably don’t know all the features that are available. Here are five tricks you can use to supercharge File Explorer.
Listen
Links
Transcript
The Windows File Explorer has existed in some form since the earliest version of Windows. And while any Windows user has certainly interacted with File Explorer, most probably don’t know all the features that are available. Here are five tricks you can use to make File Explorer even more powerful.
For Personal Tech Media, this is Two Minute Tech. I’m Jim Herman.
First, if you want to open a new File Explorer window, you can do it from the keyboard by pressing Windows key+E.
Second, if you’re on a recent version of Windows 11, you can use tabs within File Explorer. Like tab browsing, File Explorer tabs allow you to open multiple locations in a single window. You can open a new tab by clicking on the plus icon or pressing Ctrl+T.
Third, you can add your own custom shortcuts to the quick access section on the left. If you have a location you regularly visit, just right click on that folder and select Pin to Quick Access. You’ll then be able to visit that folder with one click. And if there’s something on that list you don’t want, you can right click on the item to unpin it.
Fourth, File Explorer opens to the Quick Access section by default, but you can change it to open to This PC instead. Go to Options, Open File Explorer 2 and select This PC.
And fifth, you can use Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Y as undo and redo shortcuts in File Explorer just like you can in any other program. Did you rename the wrong file? Just press Ctrl+Z and the old file name will be brought back.