How (And Why) to Change the Default File Explorer in Windows

Windows File Explorer is great, but it's not everyone's preferred record manager connected Windows. If you’ve installed a third-party record manager, past here's however you tin registry it arsenic the default record explorer connected Windows 11.

Why You Should Change the Default File Explorer connected Windows

The Windows File Explorer has received many breathtaking features implicit time, similar the quality to negociate archive files, aggregate tab support, and more. However, determination are galore important features, similar the quality to presumption folder sizes, that are inactive missing from File Explorer. If your lone ailment from Windows File Explorer is that it doesn’t amusement folder sizes, past you tin instrumentality the assistance of a third-party instrumentality called Windhawk to code that concern.

However, if you privation immoderate other features beyond what the Windows File Explorer presently offers, past you should instal a third-party record manager. There are plentifulness of options to take from, specified arsenic OneCommander, DirectoryOpus, File Pilot, and more. Once you instal 1 of these apps, you’ll request to acceptable it arsenic the default record explorer connected your computer. Otherwise, Windows volition proceed to unfastened files with its built-in File Explorer alternatively of the third-party app you installed. Unfortunately, not each of these File Explorer alternatives see a built-in mounting to automatically acceptable them arsenic the default record manager connected Windows 11.

For instance, you tin acceptable OneCommander arsenic the default File Explorer by clicking the hamburger icon successful the top-left corner, navigating to Program Settings > Advanced, and checking the “Register arsenic a Default File Manager” box.

However, File Pilot and galore different third-party record managers don’t connection this option. To acceptable them arsenic the default record explorer connected Windows, you request to manually edit the registry. Even for apps that see a built-in option, similar OneCommander, the process yet involves the aforesaid registry modification; it’s conscionable done successful the background.

How to Change the Default File Explorer successful Windows 11

To alteration your default record manager successful Windows 11, unfastened the Start menu, benignant the sanction of the third-party record explorer you installed, and prime "Open File Location." I’ll amusement this utilizing File Pilot, but the process is the aforesaid for immoderate different app you person installed.

Right-click the File Pilot executable record and prime "Copy arsenic Path." Then, open Notepad and paste the pursuing script. You'll request to regenerate some instances of File Pilot determination successful the publication with the determination of your record explorer.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell]
@="open"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\Users\krama\AppData\Local\Voidstar\FilePilot\FPilot.exe" \"%1\" /T /O /S"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell]
@="open"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\open\command]
@="C:\Users\krama\AppData\Local\Voidstar\FilePilot\FPilot.exe"%1\" /T /O /S"

Next, click "File" successful the top-left country and prime "Save As." Give the publication a sanction and adhd .reg astatine the end. Change the Save arsenic benignant to "All Files" and click "Save."

Navigate to the determination wherever you saved the publication and double-click it to tally it. The third-party record explorer, File Pilot successful my case, volition present look aft the operations that impact opening immoderate thrust oregon directory.

In the future, if you privation to acceptable Windows File Manager arsenic the default record manager again, you request to open the Registry Editor and delete the "Open" folder successful the "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell" and "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell" locations.

Most importantly, you indispensable delete the Open folder from some locations if you program to uninstall the third-party record manager you installed. If you uninstall the app without archetypal switching backmost to Windows File Explorer arsenic the default record manager, Windows volition beryllium incapable to unfastened immoderate folders connected your computer.

Launch the File Explorer Alternative With the Win+E Shortcut

There are multiple ways to unfastened File Explorer successful Windows 11, with the quickest being the Win+E keyboard shortcut. Some apps, similar OneCommander, connection a built-in enactment that redirects the Win+E shortcut to unfastened OneCommander alternatively of Windows File Explorer. Unfortunately, galore different apps, similar File Pilot, don’t person this option.

To marque them unfastened with this keyboard shortcut, you’ll request to usage a third-party instrumentality called AutoHotkey. First, download and instal the instrumentality connected your computer. Then, unfastened Notepad and type #e::Run, followed by the way of your third-party record explorer that you copied earlier. The bid should look thing similar this:

#e::Run "C:\Users\krama\AppData\Local\Voidstar\FilePilot\FPilot.exe"

Next, click the "File" fastener and prime "Save As." In the Save arsenic benignant drop-down menu, take "All Files," and springiness the record a name. You request to adhd .ahk at the extremity of the record name, past click "Save."

Now, tally the publication file, and you’ll beryllium capable to entree your record manager by pressing Win+E. To guarantee you don’t person to tally the publication manually each clip you commencement your computer, transcript the publication record and paste it into the pursuing location:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

---

This was however you tin alteration the default record explorer connected Windows 11. Many customizations successful Windows trust connected tweaking the registry successful 1 mode oregon another. Always marque definite to instrumentality the due precautions to guarantee thing goes wrong.