How to Change File Explorer’s Default Folder in Windows 11
File Explorer is an important Windows app for folder navigation and file management. Explorer is set to open at Quick access by default where you can access frequent folders. You can only select one alternativeThis PCoption on theOpen File Explorer todrop-down menu.
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How to Change File Explorer’s Default Folder With a New Taskbar Shortcut
This method involves setting up a new Explorer shortcut with a different default folder and adding it to the taskbar. It doesn’t change the original File Explorer button in any way, which you can remove from the taskbar afterward. You can create a new Explorer taskbar shortcut and set its default folder like this.
You’ll need to modify the item location specified above to include an actual directory path you want Explorer to open. Removefull folderpath from that location and replace it with a real directory. For example, to set Explorer to open Program Files (x86), you would enter the following item location:
Clicking the new File Explorer taskbar shortcut will open that app at the target folder specified in the item location box. You can keep or remove the original Quick access Explorer taskbar button. If you prefer to keep it, give the new shortcut a different title or icon so that you don’t confuse them.
You can remove the original File Explorer button by right-clicking it and selectingUnpin from taskbar. However, consider copying that shortcut first just in case you want to restore it later. You can copy the original shortcut at this directory:
Select the old File Explorer shortcut file in that directory and pressCtrl+C. Open a different folder to copy it to, and press theCtrl+Vhotkey. Then you can move the backup copy of the shortcut back into the TaskBar folder to restore it.
How to Change File Explorer’s Default Folder by Editing the Registry
For this method, you’ll be changing the default folder for the original File Explorer button already on the taskbar. It’s a more complicated method that involves setting up VBS and registry script files. First, set up a VBS script that sets a folder for Explorer to open like this:
Next, you’ll need to set up a registry script. That script will add new{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}\shell\opennewwindow\commandkeys to the registry. Applying the script sets Explorer to open at the folder specified in your VBS file. This is how you can set up that registry script:
Now click File Explorer’s taskbar button to see where it opens. It will open in the folder specified within your VBS script instead of Quick access. Explorer will also open the same default folder when you press itsWindowskey +Ehotkey.
You can restore Explorer’s original Quick access default folder by erasing the{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}key the script added. Bring up Registry Editor with a method inour how-to-open Regedit guide. Then input this key location in the Registry Editor’s address bar:
Right-click the{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}key in the left navigation sidebar and selectDelete. A dialog box will pop up requesting confirmation to delete that key and its subkeys. SelectYesto erase.
Set File Explorer to Open With Your Folder of Choice
So, now you can set a File Explorer taskbar shortcut to open at whatever folder location you prefer with both the above methods. The first method is quicker and more straightforward but doesn’t change the default location theWin+Ehotkey opens Explorer at. If you often use that keyboard shortcut, apply the second method to change the default folder for Explorer’s hotkey.
If you’re a Windows user, you’ll spend a lot of time in File Explorer. Here’s how to customize it in Windows 11.
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