Add Us On Summary follow Follow Thread Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different:
I have used Windows File Explorer for several years, and over that time, I have not always liked the tool. In fact, I often find myself installing extra free tools just to make File Explorer better. However, over the last few years, Microsoft has introduced several upgrades, making the tool more capable and usable than ever.
To get the most out of File Explorer, I use a few tips and tricks daily. They will significantly increase your productivity on Windows.
Show file extensions
See what files really are, not what they pretend to be
It’s strange that Windows still hides file extensions. The goal may be to have a cleaner interface. However, there is a risk of misidentifying files. If extensions are hidden, a document named «invoice.pdf.exe» may look harmless even when it’s not. This is an interface behavior that malware relies on to trick you into opening dangerous apps and files.
Once File Explorer starts showing extensions, it erases any ambiguity. But aside from removing the risk factor, it makes it easier to sort, rename, and clean your folders. This is how I enable it:
- Launch File Explorer.
- Navigate to View -> Show, then select File Name Extensions.
Use File Explorer tabs
Navigate folders the same way you browse the web
In the past, when I needed to move files, I typically had to open several separate File Explorer windows. This required constant switching back and forth and wasn’t the most productive way of getting work done. You can now use tabs to turn File Explorer into a single workspace.
When I launch File Explorer, I use Ctrl + T to open a new tab, then use Ctrl + Tab to switch between tabs. I only need to drag files onto a tab header to move them, which ensures I don’t use side-by-side windows.
All your file operations instantly feel less rigid the moment you start using tabs. Using tabs removes the need to manage windows and helps me stay more focused.
Choose what File Explorer opens to
Pick between “Home” and “This PC” based on how you work
By default, opening a File Explorer window takes you to Home, allowing you to view recent files and your frequently used folders. This makes sense for people who generally work with documents. But if you work across partitions, drives, or external disks, you’ll need an extra click to reach your destination.
It’s more productive to have File Explorer open directly to This PC. This has worked for me because I constantly manage backups, virtual machines, and large media libraries. Here’s how I changed this setting:
- Launch File Explorer.
- Click the See more icon, then select Options.
- Select This PC under Open File Explorer to:.
Turn Home into a project dashboard
Pin what matters and remove the noise
Home is the default window for File Explorer. If you leave it as the default, you can make it more useful by shaping its content and appearance.
For starters, you can unpin the folders you don’t use and pin the ones you regularly use instead. You simply right-click a folder and select Unpin from Quick Access or Pin to Quick Access. In my experience, this can save you about four clicks, and repeating this workflow adds up over time. This tip stops Home from becoming cluttered and turns it into a fast entry point for my most current work.
Enable item checkboxes
Select files without holding down modifier keys
I often use Ctrl to select multiple files. Even though it’s effective, this method assumes you already know what you want. It becomes less useful if you are scanning a folder and deciding as you go, and this is where item checkboxes make a difference.
After enabling this option, you get checkboxes next to files when you hover over them. It makes selecting files without holding any keys easier. This is how I enable it:
- Launch File Explorer.
- Navigate to View -> Show, then click Item check boxes.
Rename files in bulk
Clean up dozens of files in seconds
I use several free tools to make File Explorer better. PowerToys PowerRename, for instance, is great for bulk file renaming. However, bulk renaming doesn’t necessarily require extra software, since File Explorer now offers a fast, easy way to handle it. Just do the following:
- Select multiple files.
- Press F2 (you may need to press Fn + F2).
- Enter a name and hit Enter.
Windows automatically appends numbers to the new filename for all selected files. If you need to undo this change, use Ctrl + Z. When I need to clean downloads or standardize filenames after a project, I use these same steps to bulk rename files from search results.
Preview files without opening them
Decide what a file is before you double-click it
It’s not efficient if you always have to open files just to see what’s in them. I use File Explorer’s Preview Pane to completely remove this step.
Press Alt + P to enable the Preview Pane. Now you can read PDFs, view images, or skim text files when you click on them. It’s even effective for ZIP files, and since I started using it, I’ve needed to double-click files less often.
Copy file paths instantly
Share exact locations without typing them out
Typing long paths is tedious, and the process is prone to errors. I’d rather copy file paths to avoid them. However, in Windows 11 File Explorer, right-click the file, select the Show more options menu, and choose Copy as path.
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A quicker solution is to hold down Shift, right-click the file, and select Copy as path. I use this a lot when documenting workflows or troubleshooting, and even though it only saves an extra click, it adds up significantly when you need to copy paths several times a day.
Search with filters, not guesswork
Find files faster by narrowing results precisely
I have always maintained that Windows’ search is frustrating, and I would typically use third-party apps that make search better. However, the real problem is not that searching in File Explorer is slow, but that it’s imprecise.
I use File Explorer’s Sort option to access more filters when I need to search. I can search for files by type, size, or date, and I can even combine filters to narrow results quickly. Search has become more reliable since I started using filters.
File Explorer works better when you stop fighting it
It’s easy to see File Explorer as broken, but that’s largely because you misuse it. We tend to keep using it the same way we did years ago, which leads to a lot of frustration since the tool has evolved.
What’s most interesting about these tricks and tips is that none of them fundamentally change how Windows works. Without adding any complexity, they help you reduce friction.
