Opening a bunch of File Explorer windows in Windows 11 might seem pretty basic, but it’s a real game-changer when you’re dealing with heaps of files or want to compare folders side by side. Of course, Windows loves to make things a bit tricky — there’s no hard-out button for “open another window” on the taskbar, so you’ve gotta know a few sneaky tricks.
How to Open Multiple File Explorer Windows in Windows 11
If you’re after a second, third, or even more File Explorer windows, these steps will do the trick. Having those separate windows means you can drag files around, compare stuff, or just keep an eye on a few folders without everything getting packed into one jam-packed window.
Step 1: Open Your First File Explorer
Just click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar, or hit Windows key + E. That’ll open up a regular window with Quick Access — your pinned folders, recent files, and all that.
This bit’s pretty straightforward, but sometimes on different setups, it might open to a different view or take a second to load. No idea why, but a quick reboot can sort out most oddities.
Step 2: Open a New File Explorer Window
Right-click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar, then select “File Explorer” again from the menu. It’s a bit hidden — Windows didn’t exactly make it obvious. The second window pops up separately, not just as a tab, so you can drag files between them easily.
This is a cracking trick if you’re juggling multiple folders and don’t want to keep clicking back and forth. One hiccup is sometimes you’ve got to right-click a couple times for it to actually open a new window. Classic Windows stuff.
Step 3: Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Chuck Open More Windows
While a File Explorer window is active, just press Ctrl + N. Bob’s your uncle — another window pops up instantly. Dead handy if you’re already deep into folders and don’t want to mouse around every time. Just keep in mind, this works best if you’ve already got one window open — if you hit Ctrl + N outside a window, nothing happens.
On some machines, this shortcut can feel a bit slow or might bug out after a few open/close cycles. I find shutting all the explorer windows and opening again sorts that out — no idea why, but it works.
Step 4: Snap Your Windows Side by Side
Now that you’ve got multiple windows going, drag one to the left or right edge of your screen. Windows 11’s snazzy Snap Assist will kick in, and the window will neatly snap into place. Click on another window to fill the other side. Fair dinkum handy for comparing or moving files around quick smart.
If it’s not working right away, check if Snap Assist is turned on in Settings > System > Multitasking. Sometimes it gets switched off by accident, and then nothing snaps. Honestly, this feature’s a beaut — especially on big screens or multiple monitors.
Step 5: Tweak More Settings
Click on the View tab in each explorer window to change how files are shown — icons, list, details, whatever floats your boat. Playing around with these views can make sifting through heaps of files much easier. You can also set up Quick Access and Folder Options from File > Options to set default views, hide recent files, or tweak sidebar settings.
And don’t forget shortcuts like Alt + D to jump to the address bar quick as, or Ctrl + W to close a window when you’re done. Because, of course, Windows loves making things just a little more complex.
Once you get the hang of these tricks, juggling multiple folders becomes way simpler. Especially if you’re dealing with a mountain of files or doing some proper comparison work.
Tips for Opening Multiple File Explorer Windows in Windows 11
- Use Windows key + Tab to see all open windows and flick between them quick smart.
- If you keep opening the same folders, pin them to Quick Access — just drag ’em there or right-click and select Pin to Quick Access.
- Virtual desktops are top for keeping different projects separate if you’re juggling a few bits and bobs.
- The Quick Access toolbar at the top (if you’ve got it enabled) can be customised with your most-used commands — right-click and add your favourites.
- Familiarise yourself with other shortcuts — like Alt + P to toggle the preview pane, which saves a fair bit of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I close multiple File Explorer windows at once?
Unfortunately, there’s no built-in “close all” button, but if you want to shut everything down quick as, right-click the explorer icon on the taskbar and select Close all windows. Or, just tap Alt + F4 in each window — worked alright on one desktop, but on another, I had to close them one by one.
Can I set File Explorer to open straight into a specific folder?
You bet. Right-click the File Explorer icon, go to Properties, then in the Target field, add the folder path at the end like `C:\Windows\explorer.exe C:\YourFolder`. Now, clicking that shortcut launches straight into the folder you want.
No idea why this isn’t the default, but hey, Windows likes to keep us on our toes.
Is there a limit to how many Windows I can open?
Practically? Nah. But if you open a heap of them, your PC might slow down — especially on older boxes. So keep an eye out.
How do I run File Explorer as Admin?
Right-click the File Explorer icon, then pick Run as administrator. Might get a prompt, but then you can do some proper behind-the-scenes stuff like deleting system folders or changing network settings.
Changing default view?
Head to View > Options, set your preferred layout, and hit Apply to Folders. That way, your favourite view sticks when you open new windows. Not always perfect — sometimes it resets — but it’s better than starting from scratch.
Summary
- Click the File Explorer icon or press Windows + E
- Right-click the taskbar icon, choose “File Explorer” to open a new window
- Use Ctrl + N inside an open window for another right away
- Drag windows to screen edges to snap them into place
- Play with the “View” tab or folder options to get it just right for you
Conclusion
Once you’ve cracked opening multiple Explorer windows, it’s a real time-saver — especially if you’re handling heaps of files or trying to compare stuff. It might take a bit of messing around to get it right, but once you do, it’s fair dinkum handy. Moving files or keeping an eye on different folders doesn’t have to be a pain anymore.
Don’t forget to check out some shortcuts and snap features — Windows 11’s got some top tools if you dig around a bit. Hope this helps some Aussie out there save a smidgeon of time or a bit of frustration.