12 Ways to Open Windows 10 File Explorer

To access the files and folders on your computer, the file manager application built-into Windows 10 known as File Explorer is essential. Whether you’re new to Windows 10, or an advanced user that wants to discover alternative methods to those you already know, I’ll show you 12 different ways that you can open File Explorer on your computer.

“Windows 10 Tips & Tricks” Playlist

0:00 Intro
0:05 Taskbar
1:04 Windows Search
1:18 Keyboard Shortcut (Primary)
1:30 Keyboard Shortcut (Alternate)
1:50 Start Menu (3 Ways)
3:27 Secret Start Menu
3:48 Desktop Shortcut
4:14 Task Manager
4:50 Cortana
5:27 Run Window
5:43 Command Prompt
6:00 Windows PowerShell

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Brett In Tech is a leading source for the technology that we use each day. Whether it’s discussing computer operating system tricks, the latest tips for your mobile phone, finding out about the newest gadgets, or letting you know about the most useful software and websites, Brett In Tech has boundless topics on technology for the astute YouTube viewer.

[ilkhgs]

TechGumbo Over ! million served, AWESOME!!!

[tausiftaha]

Congrats on a gold play button and 1 million subscribers!

[yama_creates]

I accidentally ended the task for file explorer and it somehow got rid of all my windows options, my computer was a black white screen with only firefox and the task manager tabs... This helped a lot to turning it back to normal thank you!

[connecticutaggie]

You misses my favorite one. Type a file path into the windows search window. The path can be DOS style (C:\Windows) or UNC style (\\server\share\). This can also be done from run.

[sandybrown]

Cool video! My arsenal to open File Explorer is now amazingly full! Lots of multi-applicable skills, in here.

[cesarcardenas]

Wow, 1 m susbs. Congratulations, and lets go for more, this is a great YouTube chanel.

[Tonysmullen]

Hi
As a novice I wonder if there is a simple audio editor I can learn to use
Thanks

[sapelesteve]

Excellent video as usual TG & CONGRATS ON ONE MILLION SUBS!!! 👏👏👍👍😉😉

[tdbrotherseverythingnepali]

@TechGumbo Can you please make a future video on what's on my pc? Thanks for the informative video as always. 🤩

[godfearingheathen]

To open a second file explorer box just right-click the icon on taskbar and click the icon again. Useful for quickly dragging files from one place to another across the boxes.

[DaveSomething]

oddly enough, a lot of the shortcuts work on Linux too... well, KDE, idk about Gnome.

[javadkhusro]

One more way to open File Explorer is to make a custom shortcut key by right clicking on the icon, right clicking on File Explorer, then clicking Properties. Under the Shortcut tab, type a letter, then you can press that letter plus Ctrl and Alt to open File Explorer.

[Richie]

accessing system drives and OS is lots simpler with various features of Win10.

[t-e-hexo]

you can also go to the drive:\Windows\ and run explorer.exe but it needs file explorer to do that I just realized :( (I think cmd runs this)

[sheldonedwards]

Could you do a video on best alternatives to Windows file explorer... Can't beleive after all these years they don't have a tab feature!

[PiltdownSuperman]

While most people will probably use the first two or three options, it is interesting to see the other methods. Doesn't it all come down to personal preference?

[geevamathew]

wanted to know how to get back the file explorer on windows 10. I can get the by all the mentioned methods by you, but cannot pin it to the taskbar. While deleting the temporary file from %appdata% i said yes to all can since then the file explorer on the taskbar was gone. Anyway how to get it back? All i can see when typing file explorer is File explorer options. Can you help??

[snarknado]

I pin it to taskbar. One clck and done. What could be easier?

[blkmikeuk]

Hi anyone know how to change the font size text of folders?

[debbys-abqnm]

0:52 doesn't work for me (using Win 10 Pro, very up to date). I follow your directions to put a link to my "Downloads" subdirectory, but Windows (being superior to everything) decides I want "My PC" instead. No, I want what _I_ want. So I put a link to Downloads in the Start menu box thing. It's just one more click -- but I get what I want.

Indeed, nearly all your suggestions take several clicks and/or typing, and users still wind up at the front door, My PC, when perhaps we'd like to jump (quickly!) to a deeper subdirectory somewhere else on the computer or on an attached external drive. I have pinned some of these short cuts to "Quick Access", which helps if I remember I've done that 😉 I wonder if I can get a link to Quick Access on my taskbar... probably not, that would be too useful for Brainiac Windows to allow.