How to Make File Explorer Open to OneDrive in Windows 11

Changing Where File Explorer Starts

File Explorer 📁 in Windows 11 can launch to a specific directory instead of the Home screen. This configuration hides recent files and frequent folders upon opening. Directing File Explorer 📁 to open straight to This PC or another preferred location speeds up file retrieval.

Step 1Open File Explorer

Launching File Explorer 📁 starts the configuration process. Click the yellow folder icon on the taskbar 🖥️ or press the Win and the E key simultaneously.

• Click the yellow folder icon on your taskbar 🖥️.
• Press the Windows key + E keys on your keyboard.

Step 2Get to Folder Options

Access the Folder Options menu to change the starting location. Click the three horizontal dots at the top of the File Explorer 📁 window, then select Options from the dropdown menu.

Step 3Choose Your Starting Folder

The General tab inside the Folder Options window controls the startup directory. Locate the Open File Explorer to setting and click the adjacent dropdown menu.

Home is the default view, displaying recent files and frequent folders. This PC opens to computer drives, connected hardware, and default folders like Documents.

• Home: This is the default setting. It shows your recent files and folders you use often.
• This PC: This shows all your computer's drives (like your C: drive), connected devices, and common folders like Documents and Downloads.
• Mobile device: If you have your phone or tablet plugged into your computer with a USB cable, this option lets File Explorer open directly to see its files.
• OneDrive: This will open File Explorer directly to your OneDrive cloud storage files.

Choose OneDrive from the available views to see synced cloud files immediately upon launch.

The mobile device option requires a physical USB connection between the phone or tablet and the computer. File Explorer might throw an error or default to another path if the device remains disconnected during launch.

Step 4Save Your Changes

Saving the configuration applies the modification immediately. Click the OK button at the bottom of the Folder Options window to confirm the selection.

Step 5Try It Out!

Test the new configuration by closing and reopening File Explorer. The interface now bypasses the Home screen to load the selected directory.

Using the Registry Editor (Advanced Users)

Advanced administrators can modify the startup behavior through the Registry Editor (a hierarchical database storing low-level operating system settings). Type regedit and press Enter after opening the Run dialog box with the Windows key and R key combination.

• Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
• Type regedit and press . 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 it LaunchTo.
• Double-click on the LaunchTo value.
• Enter one of the following numbers in the “Value data” field, depending on where you want  File Explorer to open:
  • 4: To open File Explorer to Mobile Device or OneDrive. (Which one opens depends on the order they appear in a specific system setting.)
• Click OK to save changes after selecting the desired value.
• Close the Registry Editor and restart File Explorer to apply the modification.

Summary

Configuring File Explorer startup locations in Windows 11 removes unnecessary navigation steps. Adjusting the Options menu routes the interface directly to cloud storage, local drives, or connected hardware.