The Tool Desk
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File Explorer is Windows 11’s built-in file manager. Use it to browse drives and folders, find files, create archives, connect to OneDrive, change how items are displayed, and manage files with the keyboard or mouse.
Press Windows logo key + E to open it. You can also select the File Explorer icon on the taskbar or search for File Explorer from Start.
How to use File Explorer in Windows 11
Understand the File Explorer window
File Explorer’s layout is divided into several useful areas:
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| Area | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tab strip | Lets you work in multiple folders in one window. |
| Address bar | Shows the current folder path and lets you type a location. |
| Command bar | Provides commands such as New, Copy, Paste, Rename, Share, and Delete. |
| Navigation pane | Provides links to Home, pinned folders, OneDrive, drives, network locations, and other locations. |
| Content pane | Displays the files and folders in the selected location. |
| Preview or Details pane | Shows a preview or information about the selected file. |
If the navigation pane is missing, select View > Show > Navigation pane. To display Libraries there, select View > Show > Libraries. Libraries are hidden by default on many Windows 11 installations.
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Home and This PC
By default, File Explorer opens to Home. In Windows 11 version 22H2 and later, Home replaced the former Quick access landing page. It can show pinned folders, recent files, and, depending on your account and settings, recommended Microsoft 365 content.
Windows 11 normally places Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos among the pinned locations. These folders may not appear as separate entries below This PC; this does not mean they have been deleted.
This PC is the more traditional view. It displays your drives and standard user folders, making it useful when you want to work directly with a local disk, USB drive, or network location.
Make File Explorer open to This PC
- Open File Explorer.
- Select See more (…) > Options on the command bar.
- In the Folder Options window, find Open File Explorer to:.
- Select This PC.
- Select Apply, then OK.
Some older guides say to choose View > Options. That describes an older interface; on current Windows 11 builds, See more (…) > Options is the usual route.
Open folders and use tabs
Double-click a folder to open it. Select the arrow beside a location in the navigation pane to expand it without opening the folder in the content pane. You can also type a path directly into the address bar, such as C:UsersYourNameDownloads, and press Enter.
File Explorer supports tabs. Select the + button beside the current tab to open another tab, or press Ctrl + T on builds that support the shortcut. Tabs are useful for moving files between locations without opening several separate windows. Use Ctrl + N to open a new File Explorer window.
To move through locations, use the Back and Forward buttons, or these shortcuts:
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- Alt + Right Arrow — go forward
- Alt + Up Arrow — go to the parent folder
- Alt + D — focus the address bar
Create and organize folders
Create a folder
- Open the location where you want the folder.
- Select New > Folder.
- Type a name and press Enter.
The keyboard shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + N. Give folders useful names and group related files together. For example, a project folder might contain separate folders named Documents, Images, and Archive.
Rename a file or folder
- Select the file or folder.
- Select Rename from the command bar or context menu.
- Type the new name and press Enter.
You can also select the item and press F2. If file name extensions are visible, take care not to remove or accidentally change the extension. Renaming photo.jpg to photo.png does not convert the image; it only changes its name and may make the file harder for Windows to open correctly.
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Copy, move, and delete files
Copy an item
- Select one or more files or folders.
- Select Copy, or press Ctrl + C.
- Open the destination folder.
- Select Paste, or press Ctrl + V.
Copying leaves the original item in place.
Move an item
- Select the file or folder.
- Select Cut, or press Ctrl + X.
- Open the destination folder.
- Select Paste, or press Ctrl + V.
Moving transfers the item instead of creating a second copy. If you make a mistake, press Ctrl + Z to undo the last file operation. Be more cautious with files stored on network drives, removable storage, or synchronized cloud folders, because the result may depend on the connection and synchronization status.
When an item appears on Home as a recent file or pinned location, it may be a shortcut to the real location rather than a normal folder entry. If Cut or Paste does not work there, right-click the item, choose Open, and perform the operation in the actual folder.
Delete an item
Select the item and choose Delete from the command bar or context menu. The behavior varies by location: local files usually go to the Recycle Bin, while files on some network, removable, or synchronized locations may be handled differently. Confirm the location before deleting important data.
Pin folders to Home
To keep a frequently used folder easy to reach, right-click it and select Pin to Quick access. The command still uses the old “Quick access” wording even though the landing page is now called Home.
To remove a pinned folder, right-click it in the navigation pane or Home and select Unpin from Quick access. Removing a pin does not delete the folder.
To remove a recent or recommended item from Home without deleting its source file, right-click it and select Remove from Quick access. If you prefer not to show recent files and frequently used folders, open See more (…) > Options and clear the relevant privacy options. The exact wording can vary between Windows 11 builds.
Change the file display
Select View to switch between icon, list, and Details views. Details view is particularly useful in folders containing many files because it shows columns such as Name, Date modified, Type, and Size.
Select a column heading such as Name or Date modified to sort the folder. Select the heading again to reverse the order.
To reduce the space between items, select View > Compact view. You can also hold Ctrl and use the mouse wheel to change icon size.
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Show file extensions and hidden items
- Show extensions: View > Show > File name extensions
- Show hidden files and folders: View > Show > Hidden items
Extensions such as .docx, .jpg, and .exe help identify file types. Showing hidden items does not automatically show every protected operating-system file. Do not delete hidden system files simply because they become visible; removing them can stop Windows or an application from working.
Use the Preview and Details panes
The Preview pane can show a preview of a selected document, image, or other supported file without opening it. Toggle it with Alt + P, or use the relevant command under View.
The Details pane is separate. It displays information about the selected item, such as its type, size, and dates. It is normally off and can be enabled from the View menu.
After security updates released in October 2025 or later, File Explorer may block Preview-pane rendering for files downloaded from the Internet and display a security warning. This is intentional protection for files marked as originating from the Internet, not necessarily a fault with the Preview pane.
Search for files
To search, select the search box or press Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F. Enter part of a file name and press Enter to show the full results list.
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- A search started from a specific folder normally searches that folder and its child folders.
- A search started from Home can search relevant files on the PC and available cloud locations.
- Use This PC when you want a broader search across local drives.
Use available filters such as Date modified, Kind, and Size to narrow results. The filters shown can differ by location and Windows build.
If search misses files, check that you started in the correct location, remove restrictive filters, and allow indexing to finish. Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows to review indexing settings and troubleshooting options.
Cloud search requires the relevant account to be signed in. Also note that File Explorer can find the names of OneDrive Files On-Demand placeholders, but it cannot search the contents of online-only files because those contents are not stored locally.
Use OneDrive in File Explorer
OneDrive appears in the navigation pane after you sign in and configure it. Its files may be local or cloud-only, depending on Files On-Demand.
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| Status icon | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blue cloud | Online-only; it does not use local disk space and cannot be opened without an Internet connection. |
| Green check | Available locally. |
| Green circle with white check | Marked Always keep on this device. |
Right-click a OneDrive file or folder and choose Always keep on this device before travelling or working offline. To remove the local copy while keeping the item in OneDrive, choose Free up space. Opening an online-only file while connected downloads it and makes it locally available.
Share files
Select a file and choose Share from the command bar, or right-click it and select Share. Then choose an available sharing method.
For a OneDrive file or folder, sharing can create a link. Check whether the link permits viewing or editing before sending it. The recipient’s access depends on the permissions selected and, in work or school accounts, the organization’s sharing policies.
Create and extract ZIP files
Create a ZIP file
- Select the files or folder to compress.
- Right-click the selection.
- If necessary, select Show more options.
- Select Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
- Type a name for the ZIP file and press Enter.
Extract an archive
To extract an entire ZIP file, right-click it and select Extract All…, choose a destination, and follow the prompts. To extract only one item, open the archive and drag that item to another folder.
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Windows 11 version 24H2 documents built-in support for ZIP, RAR, 7z, and TAR archives. Encrypted archive operations remain unsupported in File Explorer, so use a tool such as 7-Zip or WinRAR when a password-protected archive is required. Do not assume that placing sensitive files in a normal ZIP makes them secure; Windows’ built-in ZIP workflow does not provide the encryption protection you may expect.
Use Gallery correctly
Gallery is a virtual photo view, not a physical folder. It displays images from configured source folders, so selecting a picture in Gallery does not mean the picture is stored inside a Gallery directory.
Use the Gallery collection controls, where available, to choose which folders contribute photos. The original images remain in their actual locations, such as Pictures, a camera folder, or a OneDrive folder.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use the Windows 11 context menu
Right-clicking a file opens Windows 11’s streamlined context menu. Common commands, including Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Share, and Delete, appear near the top.
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Older commands and application extensions are available through Show more options. For example, the built-in ZIP command may appear there as Send to. Windows 11 did not remove the traditional context menu; it placed it behind this command. A third-party extension may still be absent if its application has not been updated for the Windows 11 menu system.
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Useful File Explorer keyboard shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Windows logo key + E | Open File Explorer |
| Ctrl + N | Open a new window |
| Ctrl + W | Close the active window |
| Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F | Focus the search box |
| Alt + D | Focus the address bar |
| F2 | Rename the selected item |
| F3 | Search in File Explorer |
| F4 | Display the address-bar list |
| F5 | Refresh the current view |
| Alt + Enter | Open Properties |
| Alt + P | Show or hide the Preview pane |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder |
| Ctrl + X / Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V | Cut / copy / paste |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the last operation |
Fix common File Explorer problems
File Explorer will not open
First install pending updates and restart Windows:
- Open Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- Install available updates and restart the device.
A file appears to be missing
Check that you are using the correct Windows user profile and search the actual drive rather than only Home. Enable View > Show > Hidden items if appropriate, and review indexing under Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows. After a Windows upgrade, files can sometimes be moved or become associated with a different profile.
A OneDrive file works only online
Look at the status icon. A blue cloud means the file is online-only. Right-click it and select Always keep on this device while you have an Internet connection.
A right-click command is missing
Right-click the item and select Show more options. This opens the legacy menu where many older commands and shell extensions remain available.
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Search from the folder where the file should be stored, remove filters, confirm that the correct Microsoft or OneDrive account is signed in, and wait for indexing to complete. Remember that local File Explorer search cannot search the contents of online-only OneDrive files.
FAQ
How do I open File Explorer in Windows 11?
Press Windows logo key + E, select its taskbar icon, or search for File Explorer from Start.
How do I make File Explorer open to This PC?
Open File Explorer, select See more (…) > Options, set Open File Explorer to: to This PC, and select Apply.
What is the difference between Home and This PC?
Home shows pinned folders, recent files, and possibly recommended cloud content. This PC shows your drives and standard folders, making it better for browsing local storage.
How do I show hidden files in Windows 11?
In File Explorer, select View > Show > Hidden items. Be careful not to delete hidden operating-system files.
How do I search for a file in File Explorer?
Press Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F, type part of the file name in the search box, and press Enter. Search from a specific folder to limit the results to that location and its child folders.
Are OneDrive files in File Explorer stored on my computer?
Not always. A blue cloud icon means the file is online-only. Right-click it and choose Always keep on this device if you need it offline.
Does Windows 11 support RAR and 7z files?
Windows 11 version 24H2 includes built-in support for ZIP, RAR, 7z, and TAR archives. Encrypted archive operations still require a third-party archive utility.
The Bottom Line
File Explorer is easiest to manage when you set its startup location, pin the folders you use most, enable file extensions, and learn the basic copy, move, search, and undo shortcuts. Keep OneDrive status icons in mind: a file visible in the window may still exist only in the cloud.
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