How to open multiple instance of File Explorer


Quickest way to open a second explorer window is to right click on any folder and chose "Open in new window".
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    W10 Enterprise LTSC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom
    CPU
    i7-2700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-P67A-D3-B3
    Memory
    24GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce RTX2060 Super
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    onboard
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    Samsung curved
    Screen Resolution
    FHD
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO870 SSD 1TB
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    be quiet 550W
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    CoolerMaster
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    be quiet PURE ROCK SLIM BK008
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    KLIM Domination k852
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    10/1 DSL (the fastest line speed available here...)
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    W10 GUI heavily modified with Stardock Blinds "7 for 10" skin and Startmenu.
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    I upgraded to W10 only for gaming purposes, otherwise I'd kept my beloved W7 Ultimate x64
  • Operating System
    W11 Pro
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    custom
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    Intel Core i5-2500
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    Gigabyte PH67A-D3-B3
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    be quiet PURE ROCK SLIM BK008
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    Dell German 102
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    Mozilla 91.2.0esr
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    Defender
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    This is an older PC for testing new OS,
    Furthermore: 4 Dell/HP laptops on Win7 Ultimate x64, used for NAS, Media server, browsing, workshop and sound studio
Maybe its just me but when I click on file explorer it opens a new one for me every time I left click on it....
alternative option is shortcut Win-E.
I've not done anything to my OS to allow this its native.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Me?
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950x
    Motherboard
    MSI X570 Unify
    Memory
    32gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    3070ti
    Sound Card
    Creative SoundBlaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x 4k 60hz 1 x 1440p 165hz
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    Hard Drives
    1tb sabrent rocket gen 4, 1tb 970 evo gen 3 - nvme.
    2tb 860 evo
    2tb Firecuda
    PSU
    Corsair HX1200i platinum
    Case
    Coolermaster C700P
    Cooling
    Custom water loop
    Keyboard
    Corsair Strafe mk2
    Mouse
    Corsair darkcore pro
    Internet Speed
    70
    Browser
    Edge/Chrome
    Antivirus
    ESET
I just press winkey+e each time I want another instance.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 3900x
    Motherboard
    Asus Strix x570-E
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum 32Gb@3600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Strix 3080 Ti OC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung Odyssey G7 32" Curved Gaming Monitor, IIYAMA XUB2792QSU-W1 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440@240Hz, 2560x1440@70Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1 Tb (OS), Samsung 970 Pro 1 Tb (games), Samsung 860 Evo 1Tb (data), Samsung 860 Evo 4 Tb (games), Crucial MX500 1Tb (photos), Synology DS920+ 32 Tb NAS.
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Corsair Crystal 680x
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i Se Platinum, 8 Corsair QL120/140 fans
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB Mk 2 SE Rapid Fire
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 Elite
    Internet Speed
    58/12 Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender + Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Astro a50 Headset, Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Tablet.
    Creative T6300 5.1 Speakers. TPM 2.0 Module.
  • Operating System
    Arch Linux KDE
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5600x
    Motherboard
    Asus Strix B550-E
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 32Gb@3200MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX2070 Super Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    Creative Soundblaster AE-5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus Strix XG43VQ 43" Ultrawide
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1200 @ 120Mhz
    Hard Drives
    Aorus Gen 4 NVMe 1 Tb (Windows Insider), Samsung 850 Pro 512Gb (data), Samsung 850 Evo 1Tb (backups), Samsung 860 Evo 2Tb (Home folder), Blu-ray player
    PSU
    Corsair RM750i
    Case
    Fractal Define R6
    Cooling
    Scythe Mugen 5 rev B and Corsair QL fans
    Mouse
    Glorious Model D
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 Low Profile Rapidfire
    Internet Speed
    58/12 Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender + Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Corsair Virtuoso Headset
not sure what exactly you are referring to... as many have given ways to do the same task...

to launch each instance in its own process:
folder options > View > Launch folder windows in a separate process

to open multiple file explorer windows:
open it once > right click on taskbar icon > File Explorer
or
Win + E repeatedly

for tabbed explorer windows:
qttabbar has released a new version that is compatible with windows 11
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
Pulcinella (Oct 21, 2021) above solved my problem, but left info out. The difference between "before" and "not getting multiple instances" is
before, the icon's Target field just specified the path\filename. Now it needs to specify C:\Windows\explorer.exe. You can also dictate what folder to open at using a parameter. Example: icon's Properties > Target: C:\Windows\explorer.exe /n,target (ex: "C:\Users\username\.....".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 and Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    Browser
    Chrome
I have several shortcuts to various folders, including "This PC" on my desktop. Every click opens another instance of the folder in a new window.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Stormforce Prism RTX 3070
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900X
    Motherboard
    Asus AMD TUF Gaming X570-Plus ATX Motherboard – Aura Sync RGB
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3070
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung U32H850UMU 32 inch 4K
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    1 x M2.2
    1x M2.1
    5 x HDD
    Cooling
    Cooler Master 120L AIO Watercooler
    Keyboard
    Rii wireless
    Mouse
    Generic cable
    Internet Speed
    320Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox & Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
Windows key+E will open as many separate instances of Explorer as you want. 22H2 will bring explorer tabs with it that will work in one instance of explorer..

I don't use multiple displays but I believe you will only be able to check this item when you have connected your secondary display to your computer. Otherwise, this option will remain greyed out. Is it connected and on?
www.elevenforum.com

Enable or Disable Show Taskbar on All Displays in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable show the taskbar on all displays for your account, specific users, or all users in Windows 11. The taskbar in Windows 11 shows the Start menu, Search, Task View, Widgets, Chat, File Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Store buttons...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.2314
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Try right click on the File explorer in Taskbar. You'll get all the folders you need. And you can pin them so they always appear at the top... I prefer my desktop clean

1659039888180.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Dev
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I3 10100
    Motherboard
    ASUS B460M
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4 Crucial
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel on chip
    Sound Card
    Realtek onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24, LG 24
    Screen Resolution
    Full HD x 2
    Hard Drives
    kingston A2000 NVMe PCIe 500 GB
    PSU
    LC Power 650W
    Case
    Noname
    Cooling
    Air 2x 120mm
    Keyboard
    Cherry G-81
    Mouse
    Logitech M500
    Internet Speed
    100/20
    Browser
    Firefox, Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS/Vivobook Flip 14
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 4700u
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Vega
    Sound Card
    Realtek onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14"
    Screen Resolution
    FullHD
    Hard Drives
    512 Samsung NVMe PCIe
    PSU
    -
    Case
    Laptop
    Mouse
    Touchpad, Touchscreen
    Internet Speed
    100/20
    Browser
    Firefox, Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
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