Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11


File_Explorer_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to restore the classic File Explorer with Ribbon for your account or all users in Windows 11.

File Explorer in Windows 10 has a ribbon, tabs, and a title bar with color. The ribbon includes common tasks, such as copying and moving, creating new folders, emailing and zipping items, and changing the view. The tabs change to show extra tasks that apply to the selected item. You can hide or show the ribbon on demand.

In Windows 11, Microsoft made File Explorer modern with a clean look and brand-new command bar instead of the ribbon.

If you prefer, you can restore the classic File Explorer with ribbon in Windows 11.


Contents

  • Option One: Temporarily Open File Explorer with Ribbon
  • Option Two: Create Shortcut to Always Open File Explorer with Ribbon
  • Option Three: Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for Current User using REG file (Works in 23H2+)
  • Option Four: Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for All Users using REG file (No longer works in 22H2+)
  • Option Five: Enable or Disable File Explorer Command Bar for Current User using REG file (No longer works in 22H2+)
  • Option Six: Enable or Disable File Explorer Command Bar for Current User using Command (No longer works in 22H2+)


EXAMPLE: File Explorer with command bar and ribbon in Windows 11

File_Explorer_with_command_bar.webp
File_Explorer_with_ribbon.png





Option One

Temporarily Open File Explorer with Ribbon


This option will open a File Explorer window with the ribbon.

You will be able to browse and navigate in this File Explorer window with a ribbon only for as long as this window is open.


1 Open the Control Panel.

2 Perform one of the following actions depending on which Control Panel view is used: (see screenshots below)
  • If using small icons view, click/tap twice on the Up arrow.
  • If using large icons view, click/tap twice on the Up arrow.
  • If using category view, click/tap once on the Up arrow.
Control_Panel_small_icons_view.png
Control_Panel_large_icons_view.png
Control_Panel_category_view.png

3 You will now have a File Explorer window with the ribbon open. (see screenshot below)

File_Explorer_window_with_ribbon.png





Option Two

Create Shortcut to Always Open File Explorer with Ribbon


You can Pin to Taskbar, Pin to Start, add to Start menu All apps, assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy usage.


If there's a folder or location you want File Explorer to open to by default that's not listed below, then please post a request for it. I'll be happy to add it to the shortcut list below for you.


The shortcut commands below will only work with an English language installation. If you use a different language, then please post a request for a translated version of the shortcut command you want to use. "Control Panel" and the folder name (ex: "Desktop") in the command needs to be translated for your language instead.



1 Create a new shortcut using the command below for the path you want:

Open File Explorer to Desktop with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lDesktop~"'")}"

OR

Open File Explorer to Home with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lHome~"'")}"

OR

Open File Explorer to OneDrive with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lShell:OneDrive~"'")}"

OR

Open File Explorer to This PC with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lThis PC~"'")}"




Option Three

Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for Current User using REG file


This option will only work on Windows 11 version 23H2 and higher.


1 Do step 2 (classic) or step 3 (default - undo) below for what you would like to do.


 2. Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for Current User

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Restore_classic_File_Explorer_with_ribbon_for_current_user.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{2aa9162e-c906-4dd9-ad0b-3d24a8eef5a0}]
@="CLSID_ItemsViewAdapter"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{2aa9162e-c906-4dd9-ad0b-3d24a8eef5a0}\InProcServer32]
@="C:\\Windows\\System32\\Windows.UI.FileExplorer.dll_"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33}]
@="File Explorer Xaml Island View Adapter"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33}\InProcServer32]
@="C:\\Windows\\System32\\Windows.UI.FileExplorer.dll_"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\ShellBrowser]
"ITBar7Layout"=hex:13,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,20,00,00,00,10,00,01,00,\
  00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,01,07,00,00,5e,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00


 3. Restore Modern File Explorer with Command Bar and Tabs for Current User

This is the default setting to undo step 2.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Default_modern_File_Explorer_with_command_bar_for_current_user.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{2aa9162e-c906-4dd9-ad0b-3d24a8eef5a0}]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33}]

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.




Option Four

Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for All Users using REG file


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.


This option will no longer work on Windows 11 version 22H2 and higher.


1 Do step 2 (classic) or step 3 (default - undo) below for what you would like to do.

2 Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Restore_classic_File_Explorer_with_ribbon.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}"=-

3 Restore Modern File Explorer with Command Bar

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Default_modern_File_Explorer_with_command_bar.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}"=""

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Sign out and sign in or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.




Option Five

Enable or Disable File Explorer Command Bar for Current User using REG file


This option will no longer work on Windows 11 version 22H2 and higher.


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Enable File Explorer Command Bar

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Enable_File_Explorer_command_bar.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}]


 3. To Disable File Explorer Command Bar

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Disable_File_Explorer_command_bar.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}\InprocServer32]
@=""

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.




Option Six

Enable or Disable File Explorer Command Bar for Current User using Command


This option will no longer work on Windows 11 version 22H2 and higher.


1 Open Windows Terminal, and select Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

2 Copy and paste the command below you want into Windows Terminal, and press Enter.

(Disable)​
reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}\InprocServer32" /f /ve​

OR​

(Enable - default)​
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}" /f​

3 Close Windows Terminal.

4 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
DMD said:
Good morning is there any solution for classic file explorer version in 22H2 b22621?
Thank you very much
Click to expand...


Not yet.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26100.3037 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦24H2 ♦♦♦non-Insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
DMD said:
Good morning is there any solution for classic file explorer version in 22H2 b22621?
Thank you very much
Click to expand...
I don't think there is a One-Stop-Shop solution!
Depends what you desire or mean by classic File Explorer.
Personally, I like Windows 7 style Explorer and functionality..., I need Winaero Tweaker, 3 shell utilities and 2 reg tweaks to pull it off!
I'm running an Insider build.
 
Last edited:

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
I mean like the one in the previous version 21H2, but if it is not possible in any way even the one in w7 might be okay.
Anyway better than the current one on 22H2 which I can't stand it, and I'm staying at the 21H2 version, waiting for some development.
Thanks for what can be done.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    CPU AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix X670E-F Gaming WiFi
    Memory
    G.Skill Flare X5 32GB Kit DDR5-6000 CL32 (F5-6000J3238F16GX2-FX5)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2381VR
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung Memorie MZ-V8P1T0B 980 PRO SSD 1TB
    2x Western Digital WD Red Nas 4TB
    PSU
    SEASONIC FOCUS PX-850 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Airflow
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 HERO
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avg free
    Other Info
    Download: 90 Mbps
    Upload: 20Mbps
It takes a bit of messin around to get exactly what you want...,
I use Winaero Tweaker to choose which folders to show in the Navigation Pane,
Old/New Explorer to restore classic drive groupings and hide Title Bar text,
ViveTool to disable W11 Tabs,
QTTabBar to enable real Tabs, match theme colors, and tons of other functionality,
StartAllBack pretty much takes care of everything else Win7-ish,
2 custom reg tweaks to disable the Home thing in the Navigation Pane.

0001685.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
  • Like
Reactions: DMD

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    CPU AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix X670E-F Gaming WiFi
    Memory
    G.Skill Flare X5 32GB Kit DDR5-6000 CL32 (F5-6000J3238F16GX2-FX5)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2381VR
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung Memorie MZ-V8P1T0B 980 PRO SSD 1TB
    2x Western Digital WD Red Nas 4TB
    PSU
    SEASONIC FOCUS PX-850 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Airflow
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 HERO
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avg free
    Other Info
    Download: 90 Mbps
    Upload: 20Mbps
Whenever I run "sfc /scannow" the file is always restored, so this procedure does not work.
Some other solution needs to be found.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    CPU AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix X670E-F Gaming WiFi
    Memory
    G.Skill Flare X5 32GB Kit DDR5-6000 CL32 (F5-6000J3238F16GX2-FX5)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2381VR
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung Memorie MZ-V8P1T0B 980 PRO SSD 1TB
    2x Western Digital WD Red Nas 4TB
    PSU
    SEASONIC FOCUS PX-850 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Airflow
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 HERO
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avg free
    Other Info
    Download: 90 Mbps
    Upload: 20Mbps
Finally I found a tweak to restore the multifunction bar in file explorer in 22H2 b22621
github.com

Release 22621.608.51.1 · valinet/ExplorerPatcher

Tested on OS builds 22621.608 and 22000.1042. Please make sure you are connected to the Internet while installing, the application might need to perform one-time downloads for several resources in ...
github.com github.com

I first performed the "sfc /scannow" test, which did not detect any error or file to restore, then I performed the "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth" test, this test also did not detect any error or file to restore.
So The applied tweak was not affected by these two tests.
So I assume it is immune to future updates as well.
Now I don't know how to apply it in the ISO or create a standalone executable file.
Any ideas?
thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    CPU AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix X670E-F Gaming WiFi
    Memory
    G.Skill Flare X5 32GB Kit DDR5-6000 CL32 (F5-6000J3238F16GX2-FX5)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2381VR
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung Memorie MZ-V8P1T0B 980 PRO SSD 1TB
    2x Western Digital WD Red Nas 4TB
    PSU
    SEASONIC FOCUS PX-850 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Airflow
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 HERO
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avg free
    Other Info
    Download: 90 Mbps
    Upload: 20Mbps
DMD said:
Finally I found a tweak to restore the multifunction bar in file explorer in 22H2 b22621
github.com

Release 22621.608.51.1 · valinet/ExplorerPatcher

Tested on OS builds 22621.608 and 22000.1042. Please make sure you are connected to the Internet while installing, the application might need to perform one-time downloads for several resources in ...
github.com github.com

I first performed the "sfc /scannow" test, which did not detect any error or file to restore, then I performed the "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth" test, this test also did not detect any error or file to restore.
So The applied tweak was not affected by these two tests.
So I assume it is immune to future updates as well.
Now I don't know how to apply it in the ISO or create a standalone executable file.
Any ideas?
thanks
Click to expand...
Not working for me. Many of the Explorer Patcher Options mentioned are not clickable & do nothing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 12700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-F
    Memory
    Corsair DDR5-4800 16GB x 2
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA G-Force RTX 3050 8GB DDR5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PB27UQ
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Kingston NMVe 1024 GB, Samsung 840 EVO 500 GB SATA, Seagate ST3500418AS HDD 500 GB, Pioneer BDR-205
    PSU
    Corsair RM750 750W 80PLUS Gold Fully Modular
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 Mid Tower
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212
    Keyboard
    Logitech G810 Orion
    Mouse
    Logitech M560 Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    100Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
I hope you can get the classic File Explorer Ribbon working in 22H2 because MS have really outdone themselves this time. 22H2 is shaping up to be the worst version of Windows in 30 years due to the dreadful changes to the User Interface. In the UI department, heads need to roll starting from the top down!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 12700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-F
    Memory
    Corsair DDR5-4800 16GB x 2
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA G-Force RTX 3050 8GB DDR5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PB27UQ
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Kingston NMVe 1024 GB, Samsung 840 EVO 500 GB SATA, Seagate ST3500418AS HDD 500 GB, Pioneer BDR-205
    PSU
    Corsair RM750 750W 80PLUS Gold Fully Modular
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 Mid Tower
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212
    Keyboard
    Logitech G810 Orion
    Mouse
    Logitech M560 Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    100Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
DMD said:
I found this procedure
Get Back Windows 10 Ribbon UI in Windows 11 File Explorer

I need to find a way to crack a self-extracting file to unserve in the ISO or a batch script with permissions to perform the file replacement in system32.

Screenshot-003.png
Click to expand...
Thankyou for suggesting using Control Panel (use the up arrow and go from there) - this will help in the meantime until MS wakes up to itself. I use File Explorer to sort my files and folders and don't need the extra clicks to do this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP ProBook 450 G7
    CPU
    Device name HPLaptop Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-102
    Memory
    8.00 GB (7.84 GB usable)
Explorer Patcher

If this program can do it, why can't we?
I used Regshot to take two snapshots of the registry, one before using Explorer Patcher and the other after using it. comparing the two images I found out which changes were made in the registry but my knowledge is unable to create a file to do this instead of using Explorer Patcher.
In addition, the following files were changed:

C:\Windows\Prefetch\CONHOST.EXE-1F3E9D7E.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\DLLHOST.EXE-55181B55.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\DLLHOST.EXE-5E46FA0D.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\DLLHOST.EXE-FC981FFE.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\EXPLORER.EXE-A80E4F97.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\MOBSYNC.EXE-C5E2284F.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\SEARCHHOST.EXE-C1EC5F3F.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\SEARCHPROTOCOLHOST.EXE-0CB8CADE.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\SHELLEXPERIENCEHOST.EXE-8B7D4BF9.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\STARTMENU.EXE-3B96B8B8.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\STARTMENUEXPERIENCEHOST.EXE-1544C1F9.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\SVCHOST.EXE-EE1C9ACA.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\TASKKILL.EXE-8F5B2253.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\WMIPRVSE.EXE-1628051C.pf C:\Windows\System32\spp\store\2.0\data.dat
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Six
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE B450 GAMING X / Seasonic Focus GX 550 Gold
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
    Sound Card
    BMW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer EK240YAbi - LED monitor 23,8"
  • Computer type
    Tablet
    Graphics card(s)
    BMW
    Sound Card
    BMW
Again

Explorer Patcher

If this program can do it, why can't we?
I used Regshot to take two snapshots of the registry, one before using Explorer Patcher and the other after using it. comparing the two images I found out which changes were made in the registry but my knowledge is unable to create a file to do this instead of using Explorer Patcher.
In addition, the following files were changed:

File?[attribute?] changed:15

C:\Windows\Prefetch\CONHOST.EXE-1F3E9D7E.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\DLLHOST.EXE-55181B55.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\DLLHOST.EXE-5E46FA0D.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\DLLHOST.EXE-FC981FFE.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\EXPLORER.EXE-A80E4F97.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\MOBSYNC.EXE-C5E2284F.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\SEARCHHOST.EXE-C1EC5F3F.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\SEARCHPROTOCOLHOST.EXE-0CB8CADE.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\SHELLEXPERIENCEHOST.EXE-8B7D4BF9.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\STARTMENU.EXE-3B96B8B8.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\STARTMENUEXPERIENCEHOST.EXE-1544C1F9.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\SVCHOST.EXE-EE1C9ACA.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\TASKKILL.EXE-8F5B2253.pf C:\Windows\Prefetch\WMIPRVSE.EXE-1628051C.pf C:\Windows\System32\spp\store\2.0\data.dat

Key?deleted:4

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Deployment\Package\*\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\{343B727B-4FC1-4956-9387-492A90C59901} HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Deployment\Package\*\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\{391772E1-624E-482C-82C3-FC3E6775539E} HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings\Dynamic\{086edee0-a7de-4b59-a073-fe3db05acd62} HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings\Dynamic\{086edee0-a7de-4b59-a073-fe3db05acd62}\icons

Key?added:27

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Deployment\AppExtension\windowsudk.storage.registerschema\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\{6AF4BB24-4BD7-4ABC-8A5D-17CFCBE095FB} HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Deployment\Package\*\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\{0993BC6A-991F-4BE3-A8D5-2C52FA40FB66} HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Deployment\Package\*\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\{9E61BA90-F39C-46F6-8D94-F9EB6CD3F32C} HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Deployment\Package\*\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\{E774A90D-4CC5-4C68-8E74-862F2CD402BA} HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\TermReason\5476 HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\TermReason\7228 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hiv HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hiv\OpenWithList HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings\Dynamic\{cec326b9-cd83-468a-ba44-0052b06b0e3f} HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SearchSettings\Dynamic\{cec326b9-cd83-468a-ba44-0052b06b0e3f}\icons HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU\8 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU\8\0 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU\8\0\0 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU\8\0\0\0 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\140 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\140\ComDlg HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\140\ComDlg\{5C4F28B5-F869-4E84-8E60-F11DB97C5CC7} HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\140\Shell HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500_Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU\8 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500_Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU\8\0 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500_Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU\8\0\0 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500_Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU\8\0\0\0 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500_Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\140 HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500_Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\140\ComDlg HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500_Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\140\ComDlg\{5C4F28B5-F869-4E84-8E60-F11DB97C5CC7} HKU\S-1-5-21-327691809-1582828675-1201195003-500_Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\140\Shell

Value deleted: 16

~res-x64.txt

Total changes: 202
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Six
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE B450 GAMING X / Seasonic Focus GX 550 Gold
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
    Sound Card
    BMW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer EK240YAbi - LED monitor 23,8"
  • Computer type
    Tablet
    Graphics card(s)
    BMW
    Sound Card
    BMW
Option Two in tutorial updated to make it easier to open File Explorer with Ribbon using a shortcut for selected paths. :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,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Brink said:
Option Two in tutorial updated to make it easier to open File Explorer with Ribbon using a shortcut for selected paths. :alien:
Click to expand...
This (option two) also works as a permanent shortcut for me. Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP ProBook 450 G7
    CPU
    Device name HPLaptop Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-102
    Memory
    8.00 GB (7.84 GB usable)
I am trying this procedure and so far it works:

W11 22H2 Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon

Finally I found a tweak to restore the multifunction bar in file explorer in 22H2 b22621 https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases/tag/22621.608.51.1_e4e3c61 https://www.askvg.com/tip-enable-full-classic-file-explorer-in-windows-11/#step_4_enable_classic_theme_and_ui_in_file_explorer...
www.ntlite.com www.ntlite.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    CPU AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix X670E-F Gaming WiFi
    Memory
    G.Skill Flare X5 32GB Kit DDR5-6000 CL32 (F5-6000J3238F16GX2-FX5)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2381VR
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung Memorie MZ-V8P1T0B 980 PRO SSD 1TB
    2x Western Digital WD Red Nas 4TB
    PSU
    SEASONIC FOCUS PX-850 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Airflow
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 HERO
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avg free
    Other Info
    Download: 90 Mbps
    Upload: 20Mbps
Now that the cat's out of the bag, @Brink can share my solution.

The other written workarounds for permanently restoring Classic Ribbon, are similar in setting WinLogon\Shell to Explorer's full WinSxS pathname. But WU can replace Explorer at any future date, and revert your edits. My answer is to create a logon task, which checks if the key needs repair.

You will see the desktop flash for a second if Explorer needs to be switched back.

Open a CMD window as Administrator, and enter:
schtasks /create /sc ONLOGON /tn ClassicRibbon /tr "powershell -nop $P=\\\"HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\\\"; $T=(gi \\\"C:\Windows\explorer.exe\\\").Target; if ((gpv $P -n Shell) -ne $T) {sp -path $P -n Shell -v $T -fo; spps -Name \"Explorer\" -f; start Explorer}" /ru SYSTEM /rl HIGHEST /f
Click to expand...

After you create the task, just logout. That's it, every Explorer window will have the Classic Ribbon.

schtasks limits the command to 261 characters, so I was forced to use PS aliases. Sorry it reads like gibberish.
Credit to Freddy Stratmanshow, for the original hack.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
@garlin:

Okay, I tried it, and it works perfectly, but then I went in to Task Scheduler and deleted the task, but after a reboot the ribbon is still there.

How do I revert to the W11 default?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 24H2 26100.2454
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i7-9700 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GBDDR4 @ 2666MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2442
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 500GB NVMe SSD, 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    250GB NVMe SSD (OS and programs), 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    500GB NVMe SSD (Data)
    Case
    Lenovo SFF
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome, sometimes Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium & Defender (working together beautifully!)
  • Operating System
    11 Pro 24H2 26100.2454
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 @ 2600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FULL HD (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS NVMe; 1 x Samsung 980 NVMe SSD
    Case
    Lenovo Think Centre SFF
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium and MS Defender, beautiful together
To return everything back to default:
Code: 
schtasks /delete /tn ClassicRibbon /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v Shell /t REG_SZ /d "explorer.exe" /f
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer

The hack works because running the same program as "explorer.exe" vs "C:\Windows\WinSxS\...explorer.exe" has a special meaning.
Programs can check if they're called under a different alias, and switch how they work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 24H2 26100.2454
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i7-9700 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GBDDR4 @ 2666MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2442
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 500GB NVMe SSD, 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    250GB NVMe SSD (OS and programs), 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    500GB NVMe SSD (Data)
    Case
    Lenovo SFF
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome, sometimes Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium & Defender (working together beautifully!)
  • Operating System
    11 Pro 24H2 26100.2454
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 @ 2600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FULL HD (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS NVMe; 1 x Samsung 980 NVMe SSD
    Case
    Lenovo Think Centre SFF
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium and MS Defender, beautiful together
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