10 Ways to Enhance Your Windows 11 File Explorer Experience

The default File Explorer in Windows 11 is reliable for basic needs, but let's face it—a little pizzazz and added functionality wouldn't hurt, right? If you're tired of working with the same old File Explorer and itching for more power, flexibility, and ease in file management, I've got some fantastic news for you! There’s a world of configuration tweaks and third-party tools just waiting to supercharge your File Explorer experience.
From sprucing up file previews to simplifying batch renaming, there's no shortage of ways to take your organizational game to the next level. Dive in to discover the top recommended add-ons and settings for an incredible File Explorer makeover.

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1. Show File Extensions: A Tiny Change With Big Impact​

Let's start with the classic feature that’s often overlooked: revealing file extensions. Have you ever been in a folder puzzling over which file is a .jpg and which is the .png? Or worse, you accidentally opened the wrong .exe file thinking it was a document? Showing file extensions puts an end to the guessing game.
Here’s how to enable it:

• In Windows 11: Open File Explorer, click on View in the toolbar, then navigate to Show > File name extensions.
• In Windows 10: Hit the View tab on the Ribbon interface and toggle the "File Name Extensions" checkbox.

Why It Matters:​

• Provides clarity when working with mixed file types.
• Reduces accidental mishaps caused by misinterpreted files.
• Essential for developers and power users handling files like .dll or .json.

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2. Set Your Own Default Home Page​

Does the cluttered "Home" page of File Explorer irk you every time it opens? You’re not alone. While Microsoft's default landing spot is meant to show you recent files and frequently-used folders, it isn’t for everyone.
Here's how to take control:

1. Click the ellipsis menu (three dots) in File Explorer’s toolbar.
2. Choose Options.
3. In the pop-up, select your preferred default home — whether it’s "This PC," "OneDrive," or another choice that aligns better with your workflow.

Who Benefits:​

• If you live in "This PC" for system files or need quick shortcuts, it's a lifesaver.
• Perfect for cloud-first users if you prefer to open directly to OneDrive.

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3. Declutter Your Context Menu with ShellExView​

Ever right-clicked on a file only to be overwhelmed by a labyrinthine context menu of irrelevant options? The context menu should simplify file management, not frustrate it.
Solution: Meet ShellExView, the hero to save your cluttered menus. Developed by NirSoft, it's a superb program that enables you to manage and disable unnecessary shell extensions without diving into the complex Windows Registry.

Key Features:​

• Enable/disable third-party software entries on your context menu.
• Declutters rarely-used or redundant options to create focus.
• Helps troubleshoot context menu lag caused by overloaded shell integrations.

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4. Restore the Windows 10 Ribbon Interface​

For many seasoned Windows users, the removal of Windows 10’s Ribbon in File Explorer was a tragedy. While Windows 11’s minimalist toolbar looks clean, some beloved options are now buried under extra clicks.
Fix It with ExplorerPatcher:
This tool rolls back the clock and revives Windows 10’s classic Ribbon-style design. Combine that with StartAllBack (a premium choice), and you can modernize the Ribbon while keeping the system cohesive with a slick Windows 11 aesthetic.

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5. Eject Locked Files With PowerToys’ File Locksmith​

One minute you're trying to delete a file, the next you get the dreaded "This file is open in another program" error. Hunting through Task Manager to guess which process is holding it hostage? That’s a thing of the past with Windows PowerToys' File Locksmith.

How It Works:​

• Right-click on the file.
• Select File Locksmith from the context menu.
• Get insights into which app or process is locking the file.
• Close the offending process for immediate access.

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6. Preview Everything in File Explorer (Enhanced by PowerToys)​

Windows 11’s native Preview Pane gives you a sneak peek of supported content like images and documents. But why limit yourself? PowerToys supercharges this functionality by unlocking previews for file types Windows doesn’t natively support, including:

• .svg images.
• Markdown (.md) files.
• Source code files (C++, Python, etc.).
• JSON files.

Enabling this simple PowerToy can massively improve productivity for developers, designers, and researchers.

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7. Get Mac-Like Peek Previews With PowerToys​

Ever admired macOS's seamless preview feature, "Quick Look"? You can bring a very similar experience to Windows with PowerToys’ Peek. Using a hotkey (Ctrl + Space by default), Peek gives you a full-sized pop-up preview of your file without switching applications.

Why You’ll Love It:​

• Saves time by avoiding unnecessary app launches.
• Perfect for comparing images and previewing documents.

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8. Batch Rename Files Effortlessly With Power Rename​

Renaming files one at a time is the definition of tedious, and Windows' built-in batch rename tool still feels barebones. Enter Power Rename from PowerToys—you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

Why It’s Amazing:​

• Supports Regex (Regular Expressions) for intelligent renaming.
• Adds options for appending timestamps, case conversion, or numbering.

No coding experience? Don’t worry—its interface is intuitive!

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9. Turbocharge File Moves With TeraCopy​

Copying and moving files may seem straightforward, but it can be excruciating, especially with large files. Native File Explorer operations often grind to a halt when faced with disruptions or stubborn errors.
Solution: Use TeraCopy:

• Faster file transfer speeds.
• Automatically skips problem files and moves on to the next.
• Efficient queuing for large-scale transfers.

TeraCopy comes in free and pro versions—the latter gets you blazing speeds with premium features.

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10. Automate File Organization With DropIt​

Drop your messy folders into submission with DropIt, an automation tool designed for lazy (but smart) organizers. It allows you to move, rename, compress, and even email files instantly just by dragging them over a floating icon on your desktop.

Use Cases:​

• Automatically sort .mp4 videos from downloads into your 'Movies' folder.
• Sort photos into subfolders by date or file type.
• Apply batch rules for cleaning up work directories.

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Wrapping Up: Supercharging Your File Explorer​

With these add-ons and configuration tweaks, File Explorer transforms from a baseline file manager into a fully-equipped productivity powerhouse. Whether you’re an everyday user tired of tedious tasks, a developer working with specialized files, or just a fan of decluttered efficiency, there's something here for everyone. Sure, alternate file managers like Directory Opus exist, but why abandon what you already know when it can be fine-tuned so brilliantly?
So, Windows warriors, which tweak will you try first? Or do you have personal favorites not on this list? Join the conversation on WindowsForum.com—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Source: XDA 10 Windows Explorer add-ons and tweaks that make file management much easier