Where Is File Explorer in Windows 11 & 10? (Ways to Open)
—
Microsoft renamed Windows Explorer to File Explorer starting in Windows 8, but the quickest way to open it in Windows 11 and Windows 10 is still pressing Win + E on your keyboard. If your taskbar icon disappeared or double-clicking "This PC" opens something unexpected, the program hasn't been deleted—it remains built into your operating system system drive.
🕐 What changed since we first wrote this
- Then: When we first covered this during the Windows 10 Anniversary and Creators Updates era (2015–2017), opening File Explorer defaulted to Quick Access, and "My Computer" had recently been renamed to "This PC."
- Now: In modern Windows 11 (25H2, build 26200), the opening landing page is called "Home" instead of Quick Access, containing pinned "Quick access" folders, "Favorites," and "Recent" files. The taskbar icon is centered by default, and context menus hide traditional options behind "Show more options."
- What that means for you: The physical binary (`explorer.exe`) lives in the exact same location, but navigating its UI relies on updated menu layouts and modern navigation tabs.
Understanding Windows Explorer vs File Explorer
When you sit down at a PC after years of using Windows XP or Windows 7, searching for "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer" can feel frustrating. Microsoft changed the name of "Windows Explorer" to "File Explorer" with the release of Windows 8, keeping that name through Windows 10 and Windows 11. Despite the label change, the utility serves the exact same core function: it is your system file manager designed to browse files, folders, hard drives, connected USB flash drives, and cloud storage.
In legacy Windows operating systems, "My Computer" represented your system drives. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, that core view is named "This PC." File Explorer acts as the window containing "This PC," your desktop items, downloads, documents, and network drives. You do not need to download or install any external software; File Explorer is a core component of the Windows operating system shell and is permanently installed on your system.
🙋♂️ Jake's Reality Check
"A customer brought a laptop into my shop yesterday swearing they accidentally uninstalled Windows Explorer because the icon vanished off their screen. They couldn't open their invoices or access photos from their phone."
The straight answer: You cannot uninstall File Explorer without completely destroying the Windows operating system shell. If the icon disappears, only the shortcut was unpinned or removed. The underlying program (`explorer.exe`) is still safe inside your system directory.
How to Find and Open File Explorer in Windows 11
Windows 11 introduces a centered taskbar, rounded window corners, and a revised File Explorer navigation pane. If you recently upgraded to Windows 11, here are the most effective methods to locate and open your file management tool.
Method 1: Taskbar and Keyboard Shortcuts
The fastest way to launch the file manager is using hardware keys or the taskbar pinned folder icon:
- Keyboard Shortcut: Press the Win key and E simultaneously. A new File Explorer window appears immediately.
- Taskbar Icon: Look at the centered icon row at the bottom of your desktop. Click the folder icon featuring a blue clip (the Manila folder design).
- Power User Menu: Right-click the Windows Start button icon (or press Win + X) and select File Explorer from the pop-up list.
Method 2: Start Menu and Run Command
If your taskbar lacks the folder icon, you can invoke the file manager using native search tools:
- Start Search: Click the Start button, type File Explorer, and press Enter or select the top match.
- Run Dialog Box: Press Win + R to bring up the Run box. Type explorer or explorer.exe and click OK.
- Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, click "Run new task," type explorer.exe, and hit Enter.
✅ Why this is the best default shortcut
Memorizing Win + E saves you time regardless of whether your taskbar icons glitch, disappear, or shift due to external displays. It works identical across Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and 11.
How to Find and Open File Explorer in Windows 10
Windows 10 features a left-aligned taskbar layout and a traditional Start Menu sidebar. While Windows 10 reached its official End of Support date on October 14, 2025, extended support options keep hundreds of millions of PCs running Windows 10. Navigating File Explorer on Windows 10 follows very reliable, established steps.
Method 1: Taskbar, Start Menu, and Quick Access
Opening File Explorer on Windows 10 can be done directly from your graphical interface:
- Taskbar Folder Icon: Look next to the Start button on the bottom left. Click the yellow folder icon on your taskbar.
- Start Menu Sidebar: Click the Start button in the bottom-left corner. Look at the narrow left strip of icons and click the Documents or Downloads icon, or scroll down the main app list to the "Windows System" folder and click File Explorer.
- Quick Access Pin: When you open File Explorer in Windows 10, it opens directly to Quick Access by default, displaying your frequently used folders and recent files.
Method 2: Windows Key Shortcuts and Command Line
For keyboard-centric navigation on Windows 10:
- Press Win + E on your physical keyboard.
- Alternatively, right-click the Start menu button to bring up the WinX menu, then select File Explorer.
- To open via Command Prompt or PowerShell, open your terminal, type start . (to open the current directory) or explorer, and press Enter.
How to Restore a Missing File Explorer Icon
If you unpinned the yellow folder icon from your taskbar or deleted the "This PC" icon from your desktop, getting them back requires only a few clicks. Follow these steps to restore your missing shortcuts across Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Pinning File Explorer Back to the Taskbar
- Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
- Type File Explorer in the search bar.
- In the search results panel on the right side, click Pin to taskbar.
- Alternatively, right-click the File Explorer search result and select Pin to taskbar. The yellow folder icon will instantly re-appear on your bottom bar.
Restoring "This PC" Icon to Desktop
If you prefer having a dedicated "This PC" (My Computer) icon directly on your monitor screen, follow this path instead of manually making standard shortcuts:
- Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
- Navigate to Personalization → Themes.
- Scroll down to the "Related settings" section and click Desktop icon settings.
- Check the box next to Computer (which corresponds to "This PC").
- Click Apply, then click OK. The genuine "This PC" system icon now rests on your desktop screen.
How to Change Open File Explorer to "This PC" Instead of Quick Access or Home
When you open File Explorer in Windows 10, it defaults to showing "Quick Access." In Windows 11, it opens to "Home." If you prefer the classic Windows XP/7 style where opening the file manager immediately displays your hard drives, partition letters (C:, D:), and network locations under "This PC," you can change this setting permanently.
"I see customers get frustrated every day because they open File Explorer to attach a document, and instead of seeing their hard drives, they see twenty recent files they opened three days ago," Ethan notes. "Switching the startup target back to This PC gives you control over your file system hierarchy."
Follow these steps to reconfigure the default opening directory:
- Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E.
- In Windows 11: Click the three dots (...) menu icon on the top command bar and select Options.
- In Windows 10: Click the View tab on the top ribbon, then click the Options button on the far right.
- In the Folder Options window that opens, ensure you are on the General tab.
- Locate the top drop-down menu labeled Open File Explorer to:.
- Change the drop-down setting from Home (or Quick Access) to This PC.
- Click Apply, then click OK.
From now on, whenever you press Win + E or click your taskbar folder icon, File Explorer will launch straight into "This PC," showing your local drives and primary user folders.
Comparing File Explorer Features: Windows 11 vs Windows 10
While the internal executable function remains the same, Microsoft introduced major visual and structural redesigns between Windows 10 and Windows 11. Understanding these differences helps prevent confusion when navigating across different machines.
| Feature / Element | Windows 10 File Explorer | Windows 11 File Explorer (25H2) |
|---|---|---|
| Default Opening Landing Page | Quick Access | Home (Pinnable Quick access, Favorites, Recent) |
| Top Navigation UI | Ribbon Menu (File, Home, Share, View) | Simplified Command Bar with Tab support |
| Right-Click Context Menu | Full text-based legacy context menu | Condensed menu with icon bars ("Show more options" for legacy) |
| Tabbed Browsing Support | No native tab support | Native multi-tab support (Ctrl + T) |
| Taskbar Placement | Left-aligned by default | Center-aligned by default |
Comparing Opening Methods for File Explorer
Depending on your workflow and system condition, different ways of launching File Explorer provide specific advantages. Use the table below to select the fastest method for your immediate situation.
| Launch Method | Shortcut / Command | Best Used When | Works on Windows Home Edition? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard Shortcut | Win + E | Everyday fast navigation, or when mouse is unavailable | Yes |
| Taskbar Icon | Single-click yellow folder | Mouse-driven navigation | Yes |
| WinX Power Menu | Win + X → File Explorer | When opening system tools or administrative menus | Yes |
| Run Command Box | Win + R → `explorer` | When the Start menu or Taskbar is unresponsive | Yes |
| Task Manager Task | Ctrl+Shift+Esc → `explorer.exe` | When your desktop freezes or black screens occur | Yes |
Troubleshooting: What to Do When File Explorer Won't Open or Freezes
If you click File Explorer and nothing happens, or if your screen flashes white and closes the window immediately, the underlying process may be hanging. Here is how to fix common File Explorer crashes step-by-step.
Symptom 1: File Explorer Freezes or Taskbar Disappears
When the system shell hangs, restarting the process forces Windows to refresh the entire user interface without forcing a reboot of your computer.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager.
- Scroll down the Processes tab to find Windows Explorer.
- Right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart. Your taskbar and desktop icons will briefly flicker off and reload cleanly.
Symptom 2: File Explorer Launches to a Blank White Window and Crashes
Corrupted file history caches in Quick Access can prevent File Explorer from opening properly. Clearing the cache restores default launch performance:
- Press Win + R to open the Run window.
- Type control folders and press Enter to launch Folder Options directly.
- Under the Privacy section on the General tab, click the Clear button next to "Clear File Explorer history."
- Click Apply, then click OK. Try opening File Explorer again.
⚠️ What clearing File Explorer history breaks
Clearing your File Explorer history resets your list of recently accessed files and unpins un-pinned recent items from Quick Access or Home. It does not delete your personal files, documents, or photos—it only clears the list of recent shortcuts.
Windows 10 Support Notice and Upgrade Paths
Windows 10 reached its official End of Support (EOS) on October 14, 2025. While your PC continues to boot and File Explorer operates normally, Microsoft no longer delivers free security patches or bug fixes for un-enrolled Windows 10 installations.
If your computer meets the hardware requirements (1 GHz+ 64-bit CPU, TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, 4 GB RAM), upgrading to Windows 11 provides the latest tabbed File Explorer UI along with ongoing security protection. If your PC does not qualify for Windows 11, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) consumer program that extends security update coverage through October 12, 2027. You can enroll through Settings → Windows Update using a Microsoft account for approximately $30 or by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is File Explorer located in Windows 11?
File Explorer is located on your taskbar as a yellow folder icon, inside the Start menu search, and accessible via the shortcut Win + E. The system program itself lives in C:\Windows\explorer.exe.
Is Windows Explorer the same as File Explorer?
Yes. Microsoft renamed Windows Explorer to File Explorer starting with Windows 8. It performs the exact same task of letting you manage files, drives, and folders.
What is the keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer?
Press the Windows logo key + E (Win + E) on your keyboard to instantly launch a new File Explorer window on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.
How do I put File Explorer back on my taskbar if it disappeared?
Open the Start menu, type File Explorer, right-click the File Explorer result, and click "Pin to taskbar." The yellow folder icon will immediately return to your bottom taskbar.
How do I open File Explorer on Windows 10 Home edition?
The steps are identical across all Windows editions. Press Win + E, click the taskbar folder icon, or search "File Explorer" in the Start menu.
Do I need administrator rights to open File Explorer?
No, opening File Explorer and browsing your user files requires standard user permissions. Only accessing protected system directories requires elevated administrative permission.
Will deleting a shortcut uninstall File Explorer?
No. File Explorer is a core component of the Windows operating system shell. Deleting a desktop or taskbar icon only removes the shortcut, not the core system app.
How do I make File Explorer open to "This PC" instead of Quick Access or Home?
Open File Explorer, click the Options button (or three dots menu in Windows 11 → Options), locate "Open File Explorer to:", change the drop-down menu to "This PC," and click Apply.
Why does File Explorer freeze or close automatically when I open it?
File Explorer can freeze due to a corrupted recent file cache or a hanging shell process. You can fix this by clearing your File Explorer history under Folder Options or restarting explorer.exe in Task Manager.
How do I open multiple tabs in File Explorer?
In Windows 11, click the plus (+) button on the top tab bar or press Ctrl + T to open a new file management tab within the same window.
Can I open File Explorer from the Run box?
Yes. Press Win + R to launch the Run command box, type "explorer" or "explorer.exe", and press Enter or click OK.
Is File Explorer completely free to use?
Yes, File Explorer is built into Microsoft Windows and carries no additional cost or subscription fee.
How long does it take to fix a missing File Explorer shortcut?
Restoring a taskbar icon or desktop shortcut takes less than thirty seconds using Start menu search or Settings.
Are third-party file managers safe compared to File Explorer?
While third-party file managers exist, the native Windows File Explorer is the safest option because it is maintained directly by Microsoft with built-in security controls.
How do I find hidden files inside File Explorer?
In Windows 11, click View → Show → Hidden items. In Windows 10, click the View tab at the top ribbon and check the box next to "Hidden items."
What should I do next after opening File Explorer?
Once opened, use the left side navigation tree to access Documents, Downloads, or click "This PC" to view drive storage capacity.
Revision note. Originally published December 2016. Rewritten August 2026 for Windows 11 and Windows 10. Microsoft updated default startup locations from Quick Access to Home and added tabbed browsing in Windows 11. If you spent the last twenty minutes stressing over a missing icon or missing files, rest easy—your computer is completely safe and your files are right where you left them.