How to Open Folders in New Tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer

What is File Explorer?

File Explorer 📁 is the built-in program on your Windows PC that helps you find, view, and manage your files and folders. You can use it as a digital filing cabinet to organize everything saved on your hard drive. Windows 11 adds tabs to File Explorer 📁, letting you view multiple directories in a single window instead of opening separate windows every time.

Normally, clicking a folder opens it in the current window, though some shortcuts still launch a separate window. Preview builds introduce the option to render folders and directory shortcuts inside tabs housed within a single master window.

How to Turn On the New Tabs Feature

Testing unreleased features requires a small command-line utility called ViVeTool. Activating this hidden capability requires ViVeTool, a small utility designed to unlock unreleased Windows features.

Steps to enable new tabs:

1. Download and install ViVeTool. Follow this guide: How to use ViVeTool.
2. 🔒 Requires admin privileges: Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Click the Start menu ⊞, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type this command and press Enter: vivetool /enable /id:48525682
4. Restart your 🔄 computer to apply the change.

Change Folder Settings to Open in New Tabs

You can set File Explorer 📁 tabs Windows 11 to open folders and external links in new tabs instead of separate windows by changing your folder options. Open File Explorer 📁, click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, and open Options to find the setting that controls how folders open.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click the three dots (More options) at the top right, then select Options.
3. Under the General tab, find the Browse folders section.
4. Select the option: Open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab.
5. Click OK to save your settings.

Alternative: Use Windows Registry to Change Folder Behavior

You can use the Registry Editor (a hierarchical database storing low-level operating system settings) to configure folder behavior as an alternative to ViVeTool. Press the Windows key plus R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the registry, then go to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer to make your changes.

1. 🔒 Requires admin privileges: Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
2. Go to this folder path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
3. Right-click on Explorer, choose New › DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it OpenFolderInNewTab.
4. Double-click the new OpenFolderInNewTab value and set it to 1 to turn on the new tabs feature.
5. Set it to 0 if you want to turn it off later.
6. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Summary

• New feature: Open folders and links in tabs inside File Explorer.
• Requires ViVeTool: You need this tool to turn the feature on in Windows 11 beta.
• Easy to configure: Use Folder Options or the Registry to enable or disable it.
• Better file management: Keep your folders organized and switch between them faster.
• Helpful links: Check the guides above for detailed instructions.

File Explorer tabs Windows 11 let you open folders and links in tabs inside a single window to improve your file management. You can turn on this feature using ViVeTool and quickly configure your folder options or the registry to switch between your directories much faster than before.