The quickest ways to open File Explorer

File Explorer opens in seconds using any of three methods. The fastest is to press Windows key + E on your keyboard — this works from anywhere on your computer. If you prefer clicking, select the folder icon on your taskbar at the bottom of the screen, or right-click the Windows Start button and choose "File Explorer" from the menu that appears.

All three routes open the same program and show you the same folders and files. Pick whichever feels most natural to you, and you can use different methods on different days without any problem. Most people settle on one method after trying each once, but switching between them causes no issues.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer instantly from anywhere on your computer.
  • The folder icon on your taskbar (usually near the bottom left) opens File Explorer with a single click.
  • Right-clicking the Windows Start button and selecting "File Explorer" is another reliable method if the taskbar icon is hidden.
  • File Explorer always opens to "This PC" or "Quick Access" by default, showing your drives and recent folders.
  • You can pin File Explorer to your Start menu or desktop for even faster access if you use it frequently.

Using the keyboard shortcut

The Windows key + E shortcut is the fastest method because your hands stay on the keyboard. Hold down the Windows key (the one with the four-square logo) and press E at the same time, then release both. File Explorer opens within a second.

This shortcut works whether you are in an email, a web browser, a document, or anywhere else on your computer. You do not need to minimize anything or navigate to the desktop first. The shortcut even works if your screen is locked, though the window will not appear until you unlock your computer.

Clicking the taskbar icon

Look at the bottom of your screen for a taskbar running left to right. On the left side, you will usually see a folder icon — this is File Explorer. Click it once and File Explorer opens in a new window.

If you do not see a folder icon on your taskbar, it may have been removed or hidden. You can add it back by right-clicking an empty space on the taskbar, selecting "Taskbar settings," scrolling to "Taskbar items," and toggling File Explorer on. After that, the folder icon will appear and stay there for future use.

Using the Start menu

Right-click the Windows Start button (the four-square logo at the bottom left of your screen). A menu appears with several options. Look for "File Explorer" in that menu and click it.

This method is useful if your taskbar icon is missing or if you prefer using the Start menu for all your programs. The result is identical to the other two methods — you get the same File Explorer window with access to all your folders and drives.

What you see when File Explorer opens

File Explorer shows your computer's storage in a window with two main sections. On the left is a sidebar listing common locations like "This PC," "Desktop," "Documents," and "Downloads." On the right is the main area showing the contents of whichever location you have selected.

When you first open File Explorer, it usually shows either "This PC" (displaying your hard drives) or "Quick Access" (showing recent folders and files). From here you can navigate to any folder on your computer by clicking folder names in the main area or locations in the left sidebar. The address bar at the top shows your current location and lets you type a path directly if you know where you want to go.

Pinning File Explorer to your Start menu

If you open File Explorer often, you can pin it to your Start menu for even faster access. Right-click the folder icon on your taskbar and select "Pin to Start." File Explorer then appears as a tile when you click the Windows Start button, letting you launch it with two clicks instead of three.

You can also drag the File Explorer icon from your taskbar directly onto your desktop to create a shortcut there. Either method saves you a step if you use File Explorer multiple times a day. Pinning to Start is especially useful if you have removed the taskbar icon but still want quick access.

Opening multiple File Explorer windows at once

Sometimes you need two File Explorer windows open side by side — for example, when moving files from one folder to another. Hold Shift and click the folder icon on your taskbar, or hold Shift and press Windows key + E. This opens a second window instead of switching to an existing one.

You can open as many File Explorer windows as you need this way. Each window remembers its own location, so you can have one showing your Documents folder and another showing your Downloads folder at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does File Explorer open to different locations each time?

File Explorer remembers the last folder you were viewing and opens there next time. If you want it to always open to the same place, open File Explorer, navigate to your preferred folder, then right-click the folder icon on your taskbar and select "Pin to Quick Access." From then on, you can click that pinned folder to jump there instantly.

What if the folder icon is not on my taskbar?

Use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + E instead, or right-click the Start button and select "File Explorer." If you want the icon back on your taskbar, right-click an empty space on the taskbar, select "Taskbar settings," scroll down to "Taskbar items," and toggle File Explorer on.

Is File Explorer the same as Windows Explorer?

Yes. Windows Explorer was the name used in older versions of Windows. Modern versions call it File Explorer, but it is the same program that shows your files and folders. The name changed around 2012, but the function remains identical.

Can I create a desktop shortcut to File Explorer?

Yes. Right-click an empty space on your desktop, select "New," then "Shortcut." Type explorer.exe in the location field and click Next. Name it "File Explorer" and finish. You now have a desktop icon that opens File Explorer when you double-click it.