Set “File Explorer” to open to “This PC” instead of “Quick Access” on Windows 11

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How can I prevent File Explorer from opening Quick Access on Windows 11? If you have Windows 11 installed on your PC or on a virtual machine, when you opened it you may have noticed that File manager With window + E. Keyboard shortcuts or by clicking the icon in the system tray will open it Fast access by default This pc. Under the Quick Access window, you can see system folders and recently opened files. It’s fine for most Windows users, but not for everyone. Some of us always want to open “This PC” instead of “Quick Access”.

Our pc, our rule. Why should I always open Quick Access first and then click the icon in the left pane to access “This PC”?

Microsoft understands the needs of its users and so we offer the option to switch to “This PC” instead of “Quick Access”. That is, by pressing the File Explorer icon in the system tray or pressing window + E. You can use keyboard shortcuts to open “This PC” directly.

The This PC window gives you access to standard folders (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos) and drives or partitions.

If you are not satisfied with the quick access and want to instruct Windows 11 to open the file explorer under “This PC”, this article from Gearupwindows will help you. No need to download and install any third party software on your PC. Let’s see how it is possible?

How can I set the “File Explorer” in Windows 11 so that it opens to “This PC” instead of “Quick Access”?

Step 1. Access the File Explorer window by pressing window + E. Keys at the same time from the keyboard.

Alternatively, click the File manager Icon in the system tray to start it.

Step 2. On the File manager Window, click that See more Icon (three dots) and select Options from the drop down menu.

Step 3. Im Folder options In the dialog box that opens after performing the above steps, select “This PC” from the “Open File Explorer For” drop-down menu.

Step 4. Click Apply.

Step 5. Click OK.

Once you’ve completed the above steps, open File Explorer by clicking or pressing the icon on the system tray window Logo + E. Buttons, you will see the “This PC” window. You can still access it Fast access, but to do this you need to click on the left side panel of the “This PC” window.

It’s also possible to open File Explorer from “This PC” instead of Quick Access in Windows 10, but the steps are slightly different.