Microsoft forgot to remove Windows 10s File Explorer from Windows 11 - heres how to find it

Date:
Thu, 06 Jun 2024 11:06:33 +0000

Description:
Discover a clever loophole to enjoy Windows 10s beloved File Explorer in Windows 11 hassle-free.

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An especially inquisitive Reddit user has worked out a trick that lets you
use Windows 10 s File Explorer in Windows 11 without having to mess with your Windows Registry.

Windows 10s File Explorer and overall user interface (UI) are some of the biggest reasons that many folks prefer the older operating system, so this will be regarded as quite the breakthrough in some respects. Mainly because other workarounds to be able to achieve the same end require that you tinker with your Windows Registry, requiring a degree of understanding and care (or
a third-party tool, most of which are not free).

Now, thanks to Reddit user The_Blank_Spot , you can achieve the same thing a lot more easily.

To fire up Windows 10s File Explorer within Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Type Control Panel into the search box in the Windows 11 taskbar and open the panel.

2. Click on System and Security . (Image credit: Microsoft)

3. Click on Windows Tools . (Image credit: Microsoft)

This should open the Windows Tools folder, but heres the trick: it opens in the classic Windows 10 File Explorer UI. From here, you can go on to navigate to different file locations or system drives, and those who have tried, including us, have observed that the interface wont change while that window stays open.

In other words, youll have the Windows 10 File Explorer the whole time youre working with this window, until you close it. An easy workaround with seemingly no downside

This workaround seemingly doesnt cause any issues with your OS and it also doesnt replace the current Windows 11 UI. You can use the rest of Windows 11 as usual, and you can even use both File Explorers side by side at the same time (if you open any folder in Windows 11 as normal).

Using Windows 10s UI here also means you get access to a feature that was cut in Windows 11 - though admittedly its coming back in testing - namely drag
and drop in File Explorers address bar. This allows you to select a file or folder thats currently open in a location in File Explorer, then drag it to another location listed in the address bar to move it there.

A commenter in the thread regarding The_Blank_Spots discovery, RockFox, pointed out that once youre in System and Security within Control Panel, you can right-click Windows Tools and use Create shortcut. Then, you can right-click this shortcut and select Pin to Start or Pin to Taskbar to place it in a convenient place in those parts of the Windows 11 interface, and rename it to whatever you want.

Many people might be delighted to find out about this, and I will probably take these steps on my own device, too. However, since this does appear to be a bug that Microsoft hasnt caught yet, its likely the company might close
this loophole when the next huge Windows 11 update, 24H2 , is released later in 2024.

Via Notebookcheck.net YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Windows 11 or bust: Microsoft is boldly and insistently urging Windows 10 users to move on, or get left behind Windows 11 remains an unloved OS but why won't people upgrade? Upgrade to Windows 11 or take the risk: Microsoft warns about Windows 10s end-of-life date once again



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-forgot-to-remove-windows -10s-file-explorer-from-windows-11-heres-how-to-find-it


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