How to change the default destination folder for a New Tab in File Explorer?


Mistergom

Well-known member
Local time
9:15 PM
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26
OS
Win 11 21H2 22000.282
Hello!

I was wondering if there is a way to change the destination of a New Tab (+) in explorer?
I don't want to jump in "My PC", I would like to jump into a specific folder with a specific path, or to jump to a specific Drive.

That was possible with QTTabBar, but I cannot use it anymore, seems discontinued and occurs some bugs now...

Thanks!
 

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That was possible with QTTabBar, but I cannot use it anymore, seems discontinued and occurs some bugs now...
QTTabBar version 1038 is working fine for me on W11 25915
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Good for you! I've used QTTabBar for years but encountered issues and glitches (such as refresh problems and drag-and-drop) with the new File Explorer that has tabs. I also don't want/need two bars in the Explorer...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 21H2 22000.282
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    ntel Core i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz
    Motherboard
    TUF GAMING Z590-PLUS WIFI (LGA1200)
    Memory
    64,0 Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL U2717D + DELL U2715H
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    3726GB Western Digital WDC WD40EZRZ-00GXCB0 (SATA )
    232GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    465GB Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB (SATA (SSD))
    238GB Samsung SSD 850 PRO 256GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 870 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
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Hello, I'm still wondering how to change the destination folder for a new tab in Explorer, no software overlay to do that? No registry tweaks? I haven't succeeded to find a solution...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 21H2 22000.282
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    ntel Core i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz
    Motherboard
    TUF GAMING Z590-PLUS WIFI (LGA1200)
    Memory
    64,0 Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL U2717D + DELL U2715H
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    3726GB Western Digital WDC WD40EZRZ-00GXCB0 (SATA )
    232GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    465GB Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB (SATA (SSD))
    238GB Samsung SSD 850 PRO 256GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 870 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    PSU
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    Eset Nod32
Why not write a batch to launch explorer with two tabs opened to different locations?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
I don't aim to launch explorer with two tabs. But when I'm working in explorer, and "add a new tab" (Ctrl+T), or more, I would like to point a specific folder...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 21H2 22000.282
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    ntel Core i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz
    Motherboard
    TUF GAMING Z590-PLUS WIFI (LGA1200)
    Memory
    64,0 Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL U2717D + DELL U2715H
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    3726GB Western Digital WDC WD40EZRZ-00GXCB0 (SATA )
    232GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    465GB Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB (SATA (SSD))
    238GB Samsung SSD 850 PRO 256GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 870 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
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    Eset Nod32

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
I don't aim to launch explorer with two tabs. But when I'm working in explorer, and "add a new tab" (Ctrl+T), or more, I would like to point a specific folder...
Whatever Folder Options allows...

0005445.png

Wheel-click in the Nav Pane opens in a new background tab...

0005446.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Hello, :alien:

You could use option three in the tutorial below to have File Explorer and new tab open by default to a custom folder location you want.

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
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    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
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Thanks, yes I know that wheel-click will open the folder I clicked on. But it is different than opening a new tab.
Let's imagine that I want to open "E:/MyFiles/Stock/Photos"...

I already use option three of this tutorial but it seems that is not working for "a new tab"...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 21H2 22000.282
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    ntel Core i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz
    Motherboard
    TUF GAMING Z590-PLUS WIFI (LGA1200)
    Memory
    64,0 Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL U2717D + DELL U2715H
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    3726GB Western Digital WDC WD40EZRZ-00GXCB0 (SATA )
    232GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    465GB Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB (SATA (SSD))
    238GB Samsung SSD 850 PRO 256GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 870 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    PSU
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    Eset Nod32
Let's imagine that I want to open "E:/MyFiles/Stock/Photos"...
Lemme get this straight..., every time you click on the + sign on the Tab Bar, you want it to open E/MyFiles/Stock/Photos???
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Lemme get this straight..., every time you click on the + sign on the Tab Bar, you want it to open E/MyFiles/Stock/Photos???
Yes!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 21H2 22000.282
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    ntel Core i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz
    Motherboard
    TUF GAMING Z590-PLUS WIFI (LGA1200)
    Memory
    64,0 Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL U2717D + DELL U2715H
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    3726GB Western Digital WDC WD40EZRZ-00GXCB0 (SATA )
    232GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    465GB Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB (SATA (SSD))
    238GB Samsung SSD 850 PRO 256GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 870 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    PSU
    BeQuiet Straight Power 11 Platinum 750W
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 802
    Cooling
    BeQuiet
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Razer Viper Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Eset Nod32
K..., seein as how Brink's tut doesn't work, pin E/MyFiles/Stock/Photos to Quick Access and wheel click it. What else ya gonna do? 🤷‍♂️
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
K..., seein as how Brink's tut doesn't work, pin E/MyFiles/Stock/Photos to Quick Access and wheel click it. What else ya gonna do? 🤷‍♂️
Because you can not call a folder in a new tab with a shortcut, right? Like "add new tab" does, Ctrl+T.

Before, QTTabBar do this job very well, but it is not up to date and too instable now...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 21H2 22000.282
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    ntel Core i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz
    Motherboard
    TUF GAMING Z590-PLUS WIFI (LGA1200)
    Memory
    64,0 Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL U2717D + DELL U2715H
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    3726GB Western Digital WDC WD40EZRZ-00GXCB0 (SATA )
    232GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    465GB Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB (SATA (SSD))
    238GB Samsung SSD 850 PRO 256GB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 860 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    1863GB Samsung SSD 870 QVO 2TB (SATA (SSD))
    PSU
    BeQuiet Straight Power 11 Platinum 750W
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 802
    Cooling
    BeQuiet
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Razer Viper Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Eset Nod32
...here. i did it for you...

make a .ahk (you need to install autohotkey) with this coding:

#e::
if WinExist("ahk_class CabinetWClass") {
WinActivate
Send +{F6}
Send ^t
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {TAB}
Sleep 75
Send {DOWN}
Sleep 75
Send {ENTER}
} else {
Run, explorer.exe
}
return



adjust the keystrokes as needed. i have my "Pictures" folder here, hence the keystrokes chosen:
1698032918220.png


then, run the .ahk at startup. it will run in the system tray. when you press "Windows+E" keyboard shortcut, it will launch a new tab and direct the navigation to desired folder.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
@Mistergom did you manage to find a solution to this? I would also like to set a default folder for Windows Explorer (both the initial startup, and subsequent new tabs)... and haven't found anything yet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 13 9315
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