General Open and Close Tabs in File Explorer in Windows 11


  • Staff
File_Explorer_banner.png

This tutorial will help show you different ways to open and close tabs in File Explorer for your account in Windows 11.

Starting with Windows 11 build 25136 and build 22621.160, the title bar of File Explorer now has tabs to help you work across multiple locations at the same time.

Starting with Windows 11 build 22622.575, middle clicking a folder in the navigation pane of File Explorer will now open it in a new tab, like clicking a folder in the body of File Explorer already does.

Tabs in File Explorer is now available to everyone in Windows 11 build 22621.675 version 22H2.

Starting with Windows 11 version 22H2 KB5030310 Build 22621.2361, Microsoft has added the ability to tear out and merge tabs in File Explorer.

Contents

  • Option One: Open New Tab in File Explorer using Keyboard Shortcut
  • Option Two: Open New Tab in File Explorer from Title Bar
  • Option Three: Open New Tab in File Explorer by Middle Clicking
  • Option Four: Open Location in New Tab in File Explorer from Context Menu
  • Option Five: Open Duplicate Tab in File Explorer from Tab Menu
  • Option Six: Close Current Tab using Keyboard Shortcut
  • Option Seven: Close Tab in File Explorer from Tab on Title Bar
  • Option Eight: Close Tab in File Explorer from Tab menu
  • Option Nine: Close All Other Tabs in File Explorer from Tab menu
  • Option Ten: Close All Tabs to the Right in File Explorer from Tab menu




Option One

Open New Tab in File Explorer using Keyboard Shortcut


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, press the Ctrl + T keys to open a new tab.




Option Two

Open New Tab in File Explorer from Title Bar


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, click/tap on the Add new tab (+) button on the title bar. (see screenshot below)

Open_new_tab_from_File_Explorer_title_bar.png





Option Three

Open New Tab in File Explorer by Middle Clicking


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, middle click on a drive, folder, or library location you want to open in a new tab.




Option Four

Open Location in New Tab in File Explorer from Context Menu


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, right click on a drive, folder, or library location you want to open in a new tab. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Open in new tab.

Open_in_new_tab_context_menu.png





Option Five

Open Duplicate Tab in File Explorer from Tab Menu


This option is only available starting with Windows 11 build 22635.3570 (Beta).


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, right click on the tab you want to open a duplicate of. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Duplicate tab in the drop menu.

Dupilcate_tab_in_File_Explorer.png





Option Six

Close Current Tab using Keyboard Shortcut


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, press the Ctrl + W keys when you want to close the currently open tab.




Option Seven

Close Tab in File Explorer from Tab on Title Bar


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, click/tap on the Close tab (X) button on the tab you want to close on the title bar. (see screenshot below)

Close_tab_from_File_Explorer_title_bar.png





Option Eight

Close Tab in File Explorer from Tab menu


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, right click on the tab you want to close on the title bar. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Close tab in the drop menu.

Close_tab.png





Option Nine

Close All Other Tabs in File Explorer from Tab menu


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, right click on the tab you want to keep open while closing all other tabs. (see screenshot below)
2 Click/tap on Close other tabs in the drop menu to close all tabs except the tab in step 1.

Close_other_tabs.png





Option Ten

Close All Tabs to the Right in File Explorer from Tab menu


1 While File Explorer (Win+E) is open, right click on the tab you want to keep open while closing all tabs to the right of this tab. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Close tabs to the right in the drop menu to close all tabs to the right of the tab in step 1.

Close_tabs_to_the_right.png



That's it,
Shawn Brink


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so basic.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    Intel i7 gen11
    Motherboard
    Asus H470
    Memory
    64GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 1060
    Screen Resolution
    3k
Tutorial updated to add option five. :alien:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
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