Microsoft redesigned File Explorer’s user interface for Windows 11. Windows 11’s File Explorer has a command bar on which you can select options. That bar replaces the tabbed ribbon interface from Windows 10’s File Explorer.
Do you prefer the tabbed File Explorer in Windows 10? If so, you don’t have to stick with File Explorer’s command bar in Windows 11. This is how you can restore Explorer’s classic ribbon interface on a Windows 11 PC.
1. Press the Up Button in the Control Panel
File Explorer is accessible from the Control Panel. Furthermore, Explorer will still have the old, ribbon interface from Windows 10 when you open it from there. You can access the classic File Explorer in Windows 11 by clicking the up button in the Control Panel as follows:
Now you’ll see the classic File Explorer from Windows 10 that incorporates a tab bar. You’ll always need to open the Control Panel first to access classic File Explorer through it. So, considersetting up a Control Panel shortcutin Windows 11 to give you more direct access.
2. Manually Edit the Registry
Users utilizing Windows 11 21H2 or earlier versions can restore the classic File Explorer ribbon by manually tweaking the registry. However, the same registry tweak will not work in Windows 11 22H2 or later builds. This is how you can restore the classic File Explorer ribbon interface by manually editing the registry:
Now press theFile Explorertaskbar button to see the change. Or open that file manager app with any other method you prefer toopen File Explorer on Windows. The File Explorer that opens will have the tabbed ribbon interface from Windows 10.
If you ever want to go back to the original command bar, delete the string you added. To do so, right-click{e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}within theBlockedkey and selectDelete. ClickYeswhen asked to confirm deletion.
3. Execute a Registry Command via Command Prompt
Alternatively, you can restore File Explorer’s classic ribbon interface by executing a command that adds the{e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}string value. Note that this is another method that won’t work in Windows 11 22H2.
However, you can restore Explorer’s classic ribbon UI in Windows 11 21H1 and earlier build versions via the Command Prompt as follows:
This method is somewhat more straightforward than manually editing the registry. The first command adds the{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}string value. Entering the second command deletes that string, which restores Explorer’s default command bar.
If the command for restoring classic File Explorer doesn’t work when you execute it, there might be spaces at the end of it. Make sure there aren’t any extra spaces included at the end of the command before executing.
4. Restore Explorer’s Classic Ribbon UI With ExplorerPatcher
You can still restore Explorer’s ribbon interface in Windows 11 22H2 and all other build versions with ExplorerPatcher. ExplorerPatcher is freeware software that enables you to customize Windows 11’s Start menu, taskbar, File Explorer, and system tray. It includes many options formaking Windows 11 look more like Windows 10.
This is how you can restore tabs in Windows 11’s File Explorer with ExplorerPatcher.
ExplorerPatcher might also automatically apply changes to the Start menu and taskbar when installed. You can restore the original Windows 11 taskbar by selecting theWindows 11 (default)option on theTaskbartab. To restore the original menu, selectWindows 11 (default)for ExplorerPatcher’sStart menu stylesetting.
ExplorerPatcher has other settings with which you can further restore the Windows 10 File Explorer design. For example, File Explorer in Windows 10 has square corners. You can restore those square corners by clickingOther>Disable rounded corners for applications windowsin ExplorerPatcher.
Windows 11’s File Explorer also has a redesigned context menu. You can disable that new right-click menu by clicking theDisable the Windows 11 context menuoption on theFile Explorertab. Then right-clicking a file in Explorer will show only the classic context menu, as in Windows 10.
Restore a Tabbed User Interface in Windows 11’s File Explorer
Although Windows 11’s command bar has its advantages, there are some good reasons to restore File Explorer’s tabbed ribbon UI of old with the methods above.
For example, restoring the tabbed ribbon UI will enable you to select aSlideshowoption for images on thePicture Tooltab, which isn’t accessible from the command bar. you may also select additional options for sharing files on theSharetab.
