How to Customize Windows 11 File Explorer

There is a lot of scope for customization in Windows 11 for file explorer. You can change how it looks, show or hide some items and how you can navigate. This video explains in detail how you can customize the following

1. Customize the target folder File Explorer Opens to
2. Show Libraries, This PC and Network in the Navigation pane
3. Show all the folders in the PC in the Navigation pane
4. Show Recycle bin and Control panel in the navigation pane
5. Expand to current folder in the navigation pane
6. Remove Recent Files History from Home Page
7. Stop showing dynamically added folders in Quick Access
8. Show/Hide Navigation pane, Preview pane and Details pane in File Explorer
9. Use check boxes to select items in file explorer
10. Show file name extensions in Windows 11
11. Change folder or file icons in Windows 11 file explorer
12. Enable single click to open files and folders in Windows 11

[nancybarnes]

THANK YOU! Just upgraded, was tearing my hair out trying to use File Explorer without a thousand steps. My blood pressure has dropped back to normal...

[michaelmotz]

Excellent video! As a Windows 11 newbie, I have been extremely frustrated by the layout of File Explorer. Now, having used most of your tips, my attitude has shifted 180 degrees! Thank you for taking the time to explain how to customize File Explorer to meet my needs. Much appreciated!

[llaymard]

Thank you for producing this video. I had no idea there are so many options to customize Windows 11 File Explorer. You saved me hours of clicking around aimlessly and making File Explorer inscrutable on my Windows 11 laptop.

[fileminokilicho]

This is the easiest of all the videos I've watched in restoring File Explorer icons. Thank you.

[carlneff]

awesome - your video helped me organize my navigation tab. and as an added bonus, it helped me figure out how to see recently used folders quickly, and to use the preview feature so that i could delete files more quickly and really organize my files.

[majarambuz]

Great video with many helpful tips. Your presentation style is perfect, not too fast, not too slow, everything properly explained. Is there a way to make Explorer automatically expand the Home folder when you open the program?

[tgeratz]

Easy to follow along, plus has the perfect amount of explanation.
This video answers the most asked question of the millennium - where do I click to....? Thank you so much!

[ciaranmcguigan]

Excellent video. Easy to follow, in depth guide to a very detailed service. It would have taken me hours to understand all of this, on my own. 👍

[genec]

This video is straightforward, easy to explain and practical. Thanks.

[gitarmac]

This video was a lifesaver. My file explorer looked nothing like in the past and was unusable. Through this video I was able to configure workarounds to make it useful again. I thought my computer was broke😂

[dymesmimi]

I just updated windows. How do I revert back to the original navigation pane where downloads and quick access were at the top.

[LuckyInLondon]

This video is going to be getting a lot more views over the coming months. I just got around to updating to Windows 11 and this video has been a life saver. Thank you!

[karenezzi]

Great video! Very clear and easy to understand. Apparently there was an update to File Explorer and my navigation tree changed where my documents are now buried deep in the C: drive. How can I move them back up to This PC?

[rossminet]

Yes but like everyone else, you're missing an important aspect: how do you tell File Explorer (or any app) to always open in a specific location (eg. right handside of screen) and size on (single) screen: 1) unmaximize the app 2) press ALT Space 3) in the menu, choose size and adjust size then, in the ALT SPACE menu, choose move window and use the keyboard arrows to place the window at the desired location. The geometry of the window app will be remembered.

[FMSVoice]

Can we add a custom column in file explorer under any folder to put remarks in front of files names?

[ADcademics]

Hi @findeasysolution - thanks for this video! Quick question: Do you know how to customize the "Home" section in the top left of the Navigation Pane? I want Explorer to open up to my GOOGLE Drive as the default. Do you know how to do this? Thank you.

[dankelly]

How do I get "Devices and Drives" to appear on the right side, like you have it?

[GuvenMetin]

The change folder icon works, but if I change the name of the folder or move the folder to a different location, it reverts back to the default settings. Any ideas how the folder doesn't change?

[JasonBurnettsProfile]

Does not work. Selecting the option to open MYPC for home doesn't get rid of all of the crap above it. It just defaults to having that one folder open. I have multiple drives (about 10) and some have old versions of Windows on them. My navigation pain contains multiple copies of different things that exist ABOVE the Home Icon. How do I fix that?

[dsk]

After clicking My PC, I only get devices and drives, previously I had Folders and Networks listed also. How can I get my Folders and Networks listed with Devices and Drives when I click My PC. Thanks,