How To Customize Windows 11 File Explorer

Customizing File Explorer in Windows 11 allows users to optimize their file management experience, making it more efficient and tailored to their specific needs. Windows 11 introduces a fresh design for File Explorer with new icons, a revamped toolbar, and improved navigation options, but its customization options remain versatile. In this guide, we’ll walk you through various ways to customize File Explorer in Windows 11 to improve functionality and enhance usability.

Introduction to Windows 11 File Explorer

File Explorer is the primary tool for navigating and managing files and folders on your PC. In Windows 11, it has been updated with a modern design, featuring a minimalist toolbar and a more intuitive layout. However, many options are available to customize its look, feel, and behavior to better suit your personal workflow.

Key Features of the New File Explorer:

1.Modern design: Updated icons, a refreshed layout, and a streamlined toolbar.

2.Compact view: Allows you to view more items in a smaller area.

3.Quick access: Provides easy access to recently used files and frequently visited folders.

4.Tabs (Upcoming Feature): There are indications that Microsoft may introduce tabbed browsing in File Explorer in future updates, which will allow for better multitasking within the same window.

Now let’s explore how you can customize it.

Customizing the File Explorer Layout

Change the Folder View Layout

The way files and folders are displayed in File Explorer can be customized according to your preferences, whether you prefer a detailed list of files or large icons that provide a preview of the content.

1. Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar or pressing Windows + E.

2. Navigate to the folder you want to customize.

3. In the View tab on the toolbar (or right-click in the blank space of the folder), you’ll see several view options:

•  Extra Large Icons: Best for folders with images or videos where visual previews are useful.
•  Large Icons: Provides larger icons for easy navigation.
•    Medium Icons: A balanced view, good for general use.
•    Small Icons: Condensed view with smaller icons.
•   List: Displays the files and folders in a compact list.

   Details: Adds more information, such as file size and modification date, to each file.

•    Tiles: Shows files with larger icons and basic file information.
•  Content: Displays more detailed information about each file in a list format.

Apply Folder View Settings to All Folders

If you want to apply the same layout settings to all folders of a similar type (e.g., all documents, all images), you can save the folder view settings globally.

1. After choosing your preferred view, click on the View tab.

2. Select Options, then click on Change folder and search options.

3. In the Folder Options window, go to the View tab.

4. Click Apply to Folders under the “Folder views” section.

5. Confirm the action by clicking Yes.

This will apply the current folder’s view settings to all folders of the same type (e.g., document folders or image folders).

Quick Access Customization

Pin Folders to Quick Access

Quick Access is a feature that allows you to pin frequently used folders to the top of the File Explorer sidebar for faster access. You can customize this section by pinning folders you often use.

1. Pinning a Folder:

•   Navigate to the folder you want to pin.
•    Right-click the folder and select Pin to Quick Access.
•    The folder will now appear in the Quick Access section of the left sidebar.

2. Remove Folders from Quick Access:

 Right-click any folder in the Quick Access menu and select Unpin from Quick Access.

Customize Quick Access Behavior

By default, File Explorer opens to Quick Access, displaying recently used files and frequently accessed folders. You can change this behavior to open File Explorer in This PC mode instead, showing your drives and standard folders (e.g., Documents, Pictures).

1. Click on the View tab, and then click Options.

2. In the General tab, under Open File Explorer to, choose This PC from the drop-down menu.

3. Click Apply and then OK.

Personalizing File Explorer with Dark Mode and Themes

Windows 11 allows you to enable Dark Mode, which applies not just to File Explorer but to all compatible apps and the system interface. Here’s how to turn on Dark Mode for a more comfortable visual experience, especially in low-light environments:

1. Turn on Dark Mode:

•    Right-click on the desktop and choose personalize.
•    In the left-hand menu, select Colors.
•    Under Choose your color, select Dark.

2. Choose Custom Accent Colors:

•  If you prefer a specific accent color to match your theme, go to Settings > Personalization > Colors.
•    Scroll down to the Accent color section, where you can choose either Automatic (based on your wallpaper) or pick a color manually.

   These colors will be reflected in File Explorer’s borders, the Quick Access section, and other parts of the interface.

Modifying Folder Options for Advanced Customization

For more control over how File Explorer behaves, you can access and tweak Folder Options.

1. Open File Explorer and click on the View tab.

2. Select Options, then click on Change folder and search options.

3. Under the View tab, you can modify various settings:

•    Always show icons, never thumbnails: Disabling this will show thumbnails (preview images) for photos and videos.
•    Show hidden files, folders, and drives: Enable this to see hidden system files.
•    Hide protected operating system files: It’s recommended to keep this option enabled unless you need to access critical system files.
•    Display the full path in the title bar: Shows the full path to the folder you are currently in at the top of File Explorer.
•    Launch folder windows in a separate process: This can improve stability by isolating each File Explorer window.

4. After making your changes, click Apply and then OK.

6. Add or Remove Columns in Detail View

In Details View, File Explorer displays additional information about your files, such as size, type, and modification date. You can customize which columns are shown to fit your needs.

1. Open a folder and switch to Details View by clicking the View tab and selecting Details.

2. Right-click the column headers at the top of the file list (e.g., Name, Date modified).

3. From the context menu, select or deselect the columns you want to display, such as:

•  Type: Shows the file type (e.g., JPEG, PDF).
•    Size: Displays the file size.
•    Date created: Shows when the file was originally created.

4. You can also drag and drop the column headers to rearrange them in any order.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster File Explorer Use

Customizing how you interact with File Explorer doesn’t just involve changing its appearance; using keyboard shortcuts can dramatically increase your efficiency.

Here are some useful keyboard shortcuts for File Explorer:

1.Windows + E: Open File Explorer.

2.Ctrl + N: Open a new File Explorer window.

3.Ctrl + W: Close the current File Explorer window.

4.Alt + D: Select the address bar to quickly type a path.

5.Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder.

6.F2: Rename the selected file or folder.

7.Ctrl + L: Jump to the address bar.

8.Ctrl + Shift + E: Expand the folder pane.

Using Third-Party File Explorer Enhancements

If you need more advanced customization options beyond what’s built into Windows 11, you can explore third-party tools that extend File Explorer’s functionality. Some popular third-party apps include:

1.Explorer++: A free, open-source File Explorer replacement that offers tabs, customizable toolbars, and enhanced navigation.

2.QTTabBar: Adds tabbed browsing to File Explorer, making it easier to manage multiple folders in a single window.

3.Clover: Similar to QTTabBar, Clover adds a tabbed interface to File Explorer, allowing you to switch between multiple directories easily.

These tools provide features like additional panes, customizable toolbars, and advanced search functions that can make file management even more efficient.

Conclusion

Customizing File Explorer in Windows 11 allows you to create a more tailored and productive file management environment. By adjusting layout views, customizing the Quick Access toolbar, and configuring advanced folder options, you can make File Explorer work the way you prefer. Whether it’s changing the appearance with Dark Mode, using keyboard shortcuts for efficiency, or adding third-party tools, the options for personalization are extensive. With these tips, you can enhance the way you navigate and organize your files in Windows 11.