How to Change File Explorer Default Folder to Open in Windows 11
File Explorer default folder settings let you open Windows 11 file management directly to This PC, Downloads, or a custom location instead of the standard Home view. By default, pressing Win+E displays Home with your recent files and frequent folders, but you can override this behavior in just a few clicks.
Open File Explorer , click the three dots (…), select Options, and choose your preferred folder from the “Open File Explorer to” dropdown menu. Click OK to save.
Changing this startup view saves you time if you mostly work inside a specific drive or folder on your computer.
- Frequent folders: Shows up to 11 folders you have pinned or opened often.
- Favorites: Shows files you have pinned.
- Recent files: Shows up to 26 files you opened most recently.
This PC shows your Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders. It also displays your computer’s drives (like your hard drive) and any network locations you can access.
OneDrive synchronizes files between your computer and the cloud, allowing you to access them from anywhere. Changes made on your computer update on the website, and vice versa. You can work with these synced files in File Explorer , and they remain available even offline. Online, any updates sync automatically.
Downloads opens directly to the Downloads folder associated with your account.
How to Change the Default Folder for File Explorer
Option 1Using Folder Options
File Explorer opens to Home by default, but you can change file explorer folder settings to open directly to This PC instead. Open File Explorer, click the three dots at the top of the window, and choose Options. Under the General tab, find the Open File Explorer to dropdown menu and pick your preferred startup folder.- First, open Folder Options. To do this, open File Explorer , click the three dots (…) in the toolbar, and select Options.
- In the General tab, look for the setting that says “Open File Explorer to”.
- Click the dropdown menu next to it. You can choose Home (this is the default), This PC, Mobile device (it might show your phone’s name), or OneDrive.
- After you make your selection, click OK to save the changes.
Option 2Using the Registry Editor (Advanced Users)
Registry Editor (a tool that lets you view and change system settings) gives you advanced ways to change file explorer folder locations beyond the standard options menu. Back up your registry first, as mistakes can cause serious system problems. Press the Win+R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box and start making your changes.
To change where File Explorer opens, adjust a setting within the Windows Registry. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
- Type
regeditand press Enter. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes. - Navigate to the following location in the Registry Editor:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced - In the right-hand pane, find a value named
LaunchTo. If it doesn't exist, you'll need to create it. Right-click on an empty space in the right pane, select New, then DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name itLaunchTo. - Double-click on the
LaunchTovalue. - Enter one of the following numbers in the "Value data" field, depending on where you want File Explorer to open:
- 2: To open File Explorer to Home (default).
- 1: To open File Explorer to This PC.
- 4: To open File Explorer to Mobile Device or OneDrive. (Which one opens depends on the order they appear in a specific system setting.)
- 3: To open File Explorer to Downloads.
- After selecting your choice, click OK to save your changes.
- Close the Registry Editor and restart File Explorer to see the changes take effect.
Summary
Changing the default folder File Explorer opens to in Windows 11 takes little effort. The quickest method uses Folder Options, where you can pick Home, This PC, OneDrive, or your phone. For more advanced options, like setting it to Downloads, use the Registry Editor.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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