How to use File Explorer tabs on Windows 11

Windows 11 has teased File Explorer tabs, but the feature was quickly removed in favor of the recent 22H2 Sun Valley update. Many users thought this feature was gone forever, but you'll be surprised to know that it has been reintroduced in the latest Windows Insider Dev Channel build of Windows 11.

How to use File Explorer Tabs

Since this feature is currently in development, you need to meet some requirements to access File Explorer Tabs in Windows 11.

Requirements

• Windows 11 Insider Dev Build 25136.1 or later
• Compatible regions and PCs: While the File Explorer tab has been released on the Insider Dev channel, the feature is still only rolling out to some selected users depending on their region and PC. That's why you need to be in a compatibility zone with a compatible PC to use this feature.

After you meet these requirements, you can use the following sections to help you use tabs in File Explorer.

1. Add New Tab

Let’s see how to add a new tab in File Explorer.

Method 1: Use the title bar

Like all browsers, the title bar has a plus sign( ) option that you can use Add new tab in file explorer. Just click on it to add a new tab as shown below.

This is how you can add tabs using the title bar.

Method 2: Use Keyboard Shortcuts

You can also use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl T to add a new tab to File Explorer. Press the same keys on your keyboard to add a new tab.

A new tab will now be added in File Explorer. Use keyboard shortcuts as needed to continue adding new tabs to File Explorer.

2. Switch tabs

Here’s how to switch between File Explorer tabs in Windows 11.

Method 1: Use the mouse

The most convenient way to switch tabs is to use the mouse. Simply click on a tab in the title bar to switch to the same tab.

This is how you can switch between tabs using your mouse.

Method 2: Use keyboard shortcuts

You can also use various keyboard shortcuts to switch between tabs. Please refer to the following content to help you quickly jump and switch tabs on Windows 11.

Next Tab

You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl Tab to switch to the next tab.

#Keep pressing these keys to continue switching tabs until you reach the desired tab.

#This is how you can switch between tabs on Windows 11.

Previous Tab

You can also use the keyboard shortcut to go to the previous tab (the tab to the left of the current tab) Ctrl Shift Tab. Press the same key on your keyboard to go to the previous tab.

Continue pressing keyboard shortcuts until you reach the desired tab.

#This is how you can switch to the previous tab in Windows 11 File Explorer.

Jump to tab

You can also jump directly to a tab in File Explorer. However, this only works for your first nine tabs. Use the tutorial below to help you through the process.

Use keyboard shortcutsCtrl (NUMBER)Jump to the tab corresponding to that number. Replace (NUMBER) with a number of your choice between 1 and 9. Windows will treat the leftmost tab as your Tab 1 and continue to the right from there. In this example, we will switch to the 4th tab.

#This is how you can use keyboard shortcuts to jump between File Explorer tabs on Windows 11.

Note: Unlike a browser, Ctrl 9 will not take you to the last tab. Instead, you will be taken to your 9th tab.

3. Close a tab

Here’s how to close a File Explorer tab in Windows 11.

Method 1: Using the Mouse

You can close tabs using the mouse in several ways. Please follow any section below that is relevant to you.

Close the current tab

Just click X next to the current tab in the title bar to close the current tab.

Repeat the above steps to close all desired tabs in the current window.

Close all tabs except the current tab

Right-click the current tab list in the title bar.

Select

Close other tabs.

That's it! Now, all tabs except the current one will be closed in the File Explorer window.

Close the tab to the right of the current tab

Right-click the current tab list in the title bar.

Now select the Close tab

on the right side of .

All tabs to the right of the current tab will now be closed in the current File Explorer window.

Method 2: Use Keyboard Shortcuts

You can also close the File Explorer tab using the keyboard shortcut

Ctrl W. Just press Ctrl Wkeyboard to close the current tab.

The next tab will automatically open on your screen.

#Continue using keyboard shortcuts to close other tabs in the current File Explorer window as needed.

4. Open a new window

You can also open a new window in File Explorer to better manage and organize your tabs. Use the following method to open a new window.

Method 1: Use the right button

Right-click the folder, drive or directory you want to open in a new window.

Select

Open in a new window.

The selected directory, drive or folder will now open in a new window.

Method 2: Use keyboard shortcuts

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to open a new File Explorer window. Press the

Ctrl N keyboard to open a new window.

A new window should now open on your screen.

#This is how you can use keyboard shortcuts to open a new File Explorer window in Windows 11.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about File Explorer tabs in Windows that should help answer some burning questions.

Can you disable tabs in the latest version of File Explorer?

Unfortunately, there seems to be no way to disable File Explorer tabs in Windows 11 at the moment. In case issues arise in the future, we will update this post with the same content.

Why can't I drag and drop File Explorer tabs in different windows?

This may seem like a missed opportunity, but you can't drag and drop tabs in different File Explorer windows in Windows 11. There is no official statement for the same, it could be that the developers plan to release this feature in the future. We'll just have to wait for the next update to Windows 11 to get more information.

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