If you already have updated the Windows 11, then this feature is already enabled on your system. Otherwise, you can use the following guide to manually enable this feature on your older Windows 11 build. Still, we highly recommend you install the 22H2 update. It not only adds the Tabs feature in File Explorer but other new features as well.
Enable Tabs in File Explorer on Windows 11
Enabling tabs in File Explorer on Windows 11 is not a difficult task. Check out our step-by-step guide below. Otherwise, update Windows 11 to the latest build, and the feature will automatically become accessible in your system.
- With the ViVeTool you can manually enable tabs in File Explorer on Windows 11. It is a free, open-source tool.
- So, get the ViVeTool from the GitHub page.
- you will get a ZIP file.
- Extract the contents into a new folder. name the folder the same as the ZIP file.
- Make right-click on the renamed folder, and choose Copy as Path option. This will copy the path of the folder to your clipboard.
- After doing all these, you have to run Command Prompt with administrator privilege.
- Click on the Start button.
- Type Command Prompt and click Run as Administrator on the right side.
- Now, in the CMD window, type cd and add a space. After that, paste the copied directory path. You can use Ctrl + V or simply right-click on the CMD window and select Paste.
- Hit Enter, and you will go to the ViVeTool folder.
- After that, run the following command. It will enable the Tabbed UI in File Explorer on Windows 11.
- Next, you need to run another command to enable SV2Navpane in File Explorer. It’s a navigation pane.
- Lastly, you need to run another command then you are done.
Now, restart your computer and enjoy the new Tabbed UI in File Explorer. So, you have finally enabled the Tabbed UI in File Explorer. It comes with a new navigation pane and looks amazing. There’s Dark Mode support too. You also get the option to re-arrange the tabs.
Disable Tabs in File Explorer on Windows 11
In case you want to disable the Tabbed UI in File Explorer on Windows, run the following command in the Command Prompt with Admin access. The feature will be disabled. After executing these commands, restart the computer. The changes will take place.
Also Read: How to Enable and Use Taskbar Overflow in Windows 11
How to Use the Tabs in File Explorer on Windows 11
Hopefully, the previous steps were simple enough, and you went through it to enable the tabs in file explorer on your older Windows 11 build. Now that you have enabled the tabs, it’s time to learn how to use them to your advantage to boost your productivity.
How to Make New File Explorer Tabs in Windows 11
It’s a very simple process as the tabs in File Explorer work similar to a web browser’s tabs. Click the Plus Icon (+) at the top of the tab to add a new tab. If you are not so fond of using a mouse, use the alternate option. You can press Ctrl + T on your keyboard to add a tab in File Explorer. You can also right-click on a folder or drive and select the Open in New Tab option from the Drop menu.
How to Switch Between File Explorer Tabs in Windows 11
This is another easy task. Switching between File Explorer tabs is simple. Use the mouse and change the tab just as you do with the browser tabs.
Keyboard shortcuts are also available for keyboard lovers. Press Ctrl + Tab to navigate to the File Explorer tab on the right side. Press Ctrl + Shift + Tab to navigate to the tab on the left side.
If you have opened multiple tabs and don’t know how to navigate them, a solution is available for that as well. Press Ctrl +
How to Re-Arrange File Explorer Tabs in Windows 11
Another easy trick. When you are using multiple File Explorer tabs, you will notice left and right arrows on both sides of the File Explorer tab list. You can use these arrows to re-arrange the tab list. You can also scroll the tab list forward and backward by clicking the arrows. Note: You can re-arrange file explorer tabs as per your requirement just by clicking and dragging a tab along the top of the file explorer window.
How to Close File Explorer Tabs in Windows 11
There are multiple options to close the tabs in File Explorer. You can close a specific tab by clicking the X icon on it. You can also press Ctrl + W to close the current tab. If you want to close multiple tabs at the same time, then right-click on a tab and choose Close Other Tabs. This way, other tabs except for that one will be closed. You can also select Close Tabs to the Right to close all the tabs on the right side of the current tab.
How to Drag & Drop File Between File Explorer Tabs in Windows 11
Microsoft designed the File Explorer tab interface very tactfully and that makes it easier to move files between two tabs. Simply click and drag the file on top of the destination tab. The destination tab will open and drop the file into the folder. You may have noticed Microsoft implemented web browsing keyboard shortcuts to its tab interface in File Explorer. It makes the process convenient.
Keep Windows Updated
Microsoft promised to add new features to Windows 11. They seem to keep it with the latest Windows 11 22H2 update. It’s the first significant update after the launch of Windows 11; they are adding a bunch of new features, making the operation of the OS more convenient. But Microsoft isn’t done yet. Slowly but steadily, they will add more new features to Windows 11. The company hasn’t clearly said the roll-out dates of the new features. But they are coming nonetheless. So, it’s best to keep Windows up-to-date to experience the upcoming features first-hand.
