By default, the File Explorer will open to the “Home” folder, which contains a combination of recently-used folders and files. While this can improve efficiency, it can also ignore security concerns. Luckily, it takes only a few clicks to change default File Explorer Windows 11 locations.
Why Change the Default File Explorer Folder?
Quick Access showcases recently used files and frequently accessed folders. While this is convenient for some, there are a few reasons you might want to change this behavior:
- Personalized Workflow: Directing File Explorer to open to a specific folder can align it with your daily tasks, especially if you start at one point and end with another.
- Enhanced Privacy: Displayed recent files or folders might contain sensitive information.
- Improved Efficiency: Accessing your most-used folder immediately upon opening File Explorer can save some time and clicks.
Method 1. Change Default File Explorer Windows 11 to This PC or OneDrive
File Explorer has three default folders that you can swap to:
- Home (the default setting on a fresh install)
- This PC (“My Computer”)
- Personal OneDrive (from Windows 11 build 22593 onward)
This setting can be changed in “Folder Options.”
Step 1. Open File Explorer.
Step 2. Click on the “More” option (three dots icon) next to “Filter” and select “Options.”
Step 3. In the “Folder Options” pop up, click on the dropdown for “Open File Explorer to” and select the option of your choice.
Step 4. Click on “Apply,” then on “OK.”
Change Default File Explorer Windows 10 to This PC
On Windows 10, the Folder Options are accessed just a bit differently.
Step 1. Open File Explorer.
Step 2. Go to the “File” tab on the top bar.
Step 3. Select “Change folder and search options.”
Step 4. Choose the setting you need for the “Open File Explorer to” option.
Older versions of Windows 10 don’t come with OneDrive integrations, so that option won’t be available.
Method 2. Change Default File Explorer to Any Folder
You can also modify the Windows registry to change the default location to any other folder.
Step 1. Click on the following download link to download the blank registry change (taken from “ElevenForum.com”). For reference, here are the plaintext contents of the file:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}\shell\OpenNewWindow\command]
@=”Explorer \”C:\\Windows\””
“DelegateExecute”=””
Step 2. Open the file to merge it with your Windows registry. You may be prompted to allow administrator control and be warned about modifying the registry. Follow the instructions to merge the registry.
Step 3. Run “regedit.exe” (you can also search for “Registry” and open the Registry Editor from the options).
Step 4. Using the navigation pane on the left side, go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}\shell\OpenNewWindow\command
Step 5. Double click on “(Default)” on the right, then modify the part in the quotes to the folder or drive you want to make the new default. For example, you can put “C:/Users/[USERNAME]/Downloads” to point it to the Downloads folder on the C drive. Don’t forget to close the quotes.
Step 6. Click on OK and exit the Registry Editor.
To undo the registry change, you can load the backup you made before it, download the registry fix from ElevenForum.com here, manually remove the entry from Registry Explorer, or change it to a different folder.
If you’re the only one using the PC and access the File Explorer via the Windows toolbar, you can change the shortcut to point to a folder instead of launching File Explorer.
Step 1. Find the folder you want to make the new “default” via File Explorer (but don’t open it).
Step 2. Right-click on the folder and choose “Send to” (in Windows 11, you need to select “Show more options” for this to become available), then select “Desktop (create shortcut).”
Step 3. Copy and paste the following address into the File Explorer address box on the top and hit “Enter:”
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar
This will open the “Taskbar” folder which holds its shortcuts.
Step 4. Drag the shortcut created in Step 2 (which should be on your Desktop) into the folder.
Step 5. Remove the “File Explorer” shortcut and rename the new shortcut as “File Explorer.”
To undo the change, you can unpin the “File Explorer” from the taskbar and create a new pin of the File Explorer (you can drag “This PC” down to the taskbar to do so).
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