Managing multiple File Explorer windows efficiently can significantly enhance your productivity and file management experience in Windows 11. By default, opening new File Explorer windows often links them together under a single process or tab, especially when using features like Windows Terminal or certain settings. If you prefer each File Explorer window to operate independently—meaning they open as separate processes that do not interfere with each other—this guide will walk you through the necessary steps. Achieving this setup allows you to close one window without affecting others, run different instances with different configurations, and troubleshoot issues more effectively. Before you begin, ensure your Windows 11 system is up to date, as some settings or options may vary slightly across versions. Also, administrative rights are typically required to modify system settings or registry entries involved in this process.
What You’ll Need
- A Windows 11 PC with administrative privileges
- Basic familiarity with Windows settings and the Registry Editor
- Optional: Backup your registry before making changes to prevent any accidental issues
Step-by-Step
- Open the Registry Editor: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Type
regeditand press Enter. Confirm any User Account Control prompts to proceed. - Navigate to the Explorer Settings Key: In the Registry Editor, use the left sidebar to navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer. If theExplorerkey doesn’t exist, you may need to create it, but typically it exists by default. - Create a New DWORD Value: Right-click on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this new value
SeparateProcess. - Modify the Value Data: Double-click on
SeparateProcess. Set the value data to1. This change instructs Windows to run File Explorer as separate processes for each window. - Apply Changes and Restart Explorer: Click OK to save. To make the changes take effect, you need to restart Windows Explorer. You can do this by opening Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), finding Windows Explorer under the Processes tab, right-clicking it, and selecting Restart.
- Open Multiple File Explorer Windows: Now, when you open new File Explorer windows (via the Start menu, taskbar, or keyboard shortcut Win + E), each should run as a separate process. You can verify this by opening Task Manager and checking if each window appears as an independent process.
- Optional: Verify Independent Processes: To confirm, open several File Explorer windows, then in Task Manager, look for multiple instances of Windows Explorer. If each window is a separate process, you should see multiple entries. If not, double-check your registry entry or restart your PC.
Common Mistakes
- Not backing up the registry beforehand, risking potential system issues if incorrect changes are made
- Modifying the wrong registry keys or values, leading to unexpected behavior
- Forgetting to restart Windows Explorer after registry changes, which prevents the new settings from taking effect
- Assuming all Windows 11 builds support this method without verifying your specific version
- Confusing this method with other settings that might influence window behavior, such as tab management or third-party file explorers
Tips
- Always create a system restore point or back up your registry before making modifications
- Use Task Manager to verify that each File Explorer window runs as an independent process
- If you encounter issues, revert the registry changes by deleting the
SeparateProcessentry or restoring from backup - Combine this method with keyboard shortcuts like Win + E to quickly open multiple, independent windows
- Keep your Windows 11 updated, as Microsoft periodically improves system stability and compatibility
Troubleshooting
If your File Explorer windows are still linked or not running separately after following the steps, consider these troubleshooting tips:
- Verify Registry Changes: Re-open the Registry Editor and confirm the
SeparateProcessvalue exists and is set to1. If not, redo the steps carefully. - Restart Your PC: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve registry-related issues and apply new settings properly.
- Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your system is fully updated, as outdated versions might not support certain tweaks.
- Run System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
sfc /scannowto repair corrupted system files that could interfere with process management. - Reset Registry Settings: If problems persist, revert the changes by deleting the
SeparateProcessentry and restarting Explorer or your PC. - Consult Microsoft Support or Forums: If all else fails, seek help from official support channels or online communities specializing in Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo this change if I don’t like it?
Yes, simply delete the SeparateProcess registry entry or set its value to 0. Restart Windows Explorer afterward to revert to default behavior.
Will this affect system performance?
Running multiple File Explorer windows as separate processes may slightly increase resource usage, but on most modern PCs, this impact is minimal.
Does this work on older versions of Windows?
This method is specific to Windows 11 and Windows 10 with certain updates. Older versions may require different approaches or may not support this tweak.
Is this safe to do?
Yes, when done carefully and with a registry backup, modifying this setting is safe. However, incorrect registry edits can cause system issues, so proceed cautiously.
Can I make only certain File Explorer windows independent?
No, this change applies system-wide for all File Explorer windows. To customize behavior per window, consider third-party tools or scripts.
Will this affect File Explorer features like Quick Access or Libraries?
No, it only influences how windows run as processes, not core features or views within File Explorer.
Ensure you follow each step carefully and keep your system backed up to enjoy a more flexible, multi-process File Explorer experience in Windows 11.