How to Tweak File Explorer and Customize Your Windows Experience

Customizing File Explorer in Windows can significantly enhance your productivity and user experience. Below are some effective tips and tricks to help you tailor File Explorer to your preferences.

1. Switch File Explorer to Dark Mode

Dark mode can reduce eye strain, especially when working in low-light conditions. To enable dark mode:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to Personalization > Colors.
3. Expand the dropdown menu next to Choose Your Mode and select Custom.
4. Choose Dark from the dropdown menu next to Choose Your Default App Mode.

2. Show File Extensions

Showing file extensions can help you quickly identify file types and avoid opening the wrong files. To enable this:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the View tab.
3. In the Show section, check the box for File name extensions.

3. Set Your Own Default Home Page

You can change the default folder that opens when you launch File Explorer:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the three-dot menu button in the toolbar.
3. Select Options.
4. In the Folder Options dialog, go to the General tab.
5. Under Open File Explorer to, select This PC or another preferred location.

4. Customize the Quick Access Menu

Quick Access provides easy access to frequently used folders and files. You can customize it by:

1. Right-clicking on a folder or file and selecting Pin to Quick Access.
2. To remove an item, right-click it in Quick Access and select Unpin from Quick Access.

5. Enable the Preview Pane

The preview pane allows you to view the contents of a file without opening it. To enable it:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the View tab.
3. Check the box for Preview pane.

6. Customize the Ribbon Menu

You can add or remove tabs and commands from the ribbon menu to suit your workflow:

1. Right-click on the ribbon menu.
2. Select Customize the Ribbon.
3. Add or remove tabs and commands by checking or unchecking the boxes next to them.

7. Change Folder Options

You can customize various folder settings, such as showing hidden files and folders, and launching folders in a separate process:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the View tab.
3. Select Options to open the Folder Options dialog.
4. Modify settings under the General and View tabs.

8. Customize the Navigation Pane

You can add or remove folders and drives from the navigation pane:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the View tab.
3. Select Navigation pane.
4. Drag and drop folders into the navigation pane to add them.

9. Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Utilize keyboard shortcuts to navigate and manage files more efficiently. Some useful shortcuts include:

• Ctrl + N: Open a new window.
• Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder.
• F2: Rename the selected item.

10. Bulk Rename Files

You can rename multiple files at once directly from File Explorer:

1. Select the files you want to rename.
2. Right-click and select Rename.
3. Enter a new name for the first file, and the rest will be renamed sequentially.

11. Create Custom Libraries

Libraries allow you to organize files from different locations into a single view:

1. Click on the Libraries tab in File Explorer.
2. Select New Library.
3. Add folders to the library by right-clicking on the library and selecting Include in library.

12. Remove Recent Files History

To enhance privacy, you can clear the recent files history:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the three-dot menu button.
3. Select Options.
4. In the Folder Options dialog, go to the Privacy tab.
5. Clear the Remember recently opened items option.

Professional’s View

Customizing File Explorer can significantly improve your workflow and user experience in Windows. By following these tips, you can tailor File Explorer to better suit your needs, whether it’s changing the default view, customizing the Quick Access menu, or enabling the preview pane. Experiment with these options to find what works best for you and enjoy a more personalized and efficient file management experience.