Microsoft has added a tabs feature to File Explorer on Windows 11. It’s a helpful feature that allows you to open one instance of File Explorer and use tabs to navigate multiple folders and drive locations. The idea is much like your web browser, with multiple open websites available in a single window. If you’re running Windows 11 22H2 or above, you can use tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer by following the steps below.
How to Use Tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer
The File Explorer tabs feature is automatically available in Windows 11 version 22H2. However, if you don’t see them, you’ll need to ensure you’re running version 22H2 (and updating your PC if you’re not). You can check this by using the Run dialog box. To check your version of Windows 11, use these steps: If you’re not running version 22H2, you need to check Windows Update and install the most recent updates. Remember that your PC will need to restart to complete the update process.
Using File Explorer Tabs in Windows 11
Once you have version 22H2 or higher, you can use tabs in File Explorer on Windows 11. Using the feature is straightforward and saves time, so you can get things done. To use tabs in File Explorer on Windows 11:
How to Open Folders in a New Tab in File Explorer on Windows 11
Another helpful feature is opening a folder in a new tab. That allows you to open the folder’s content in a new tab instead of a separate explorer instance. To open a folder in a new tab in Windows 11 File Explorer:
Navigating Tabs in File Explorer
If you have a bunch of open tabs in File Explorer, navigating them is straightforward, like managing tabs in your browser. To navigate tabs in File Explorer:
Easier File Management with Tabs
The tabbed experience is like using tabs in your browser and is a much-needed feature for File Explorer. If you want to copy a file between folders, drag the file to the new tab and drop it in. If you right-click and drag the file, the context menu will appear with the Copy or Move option. It’s important to mention that when you use tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer, you can drag tabs, but you can’t drag them out of File Explorer and start a new instance. Also, Windows 11 doesn’t limit the number of tabs you can have open, and cycling through them is simple using Ctrl + Tab. Using tabs isn’t the only helpful thing you can do with File Explorer. For example, you can make File Explorer open to OneDrive or run File Explorer as administrator for elevated access. While File Explorer is essential for file management, sometimes it doesn’t work as expected. For example, if you run into problems, read our article on fixing Windows 11 File Explorer not working. If you’re not on Windows 11 yet, no worries—check out how to fix File Explorer not responding on Windows 10. Also, you can get tabbed file management (and more) on Windows 10 using the Files App, which is available in the Microsoft Store. Comment Name * Email *
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