How To Open File Explorer To This PC Instead Of Quick Access

By default, when you open File Explorer in Windows 10, it opens to the Quick Access view, showing your pinned folders and recent files. While Quick Access offers quick navigation, many users prefer to start directly in “This PC,” which provides a broader overview of drives, devices, and connected storage. Changing the default startup location to “This PC” can streamline your workflow, making it faster to access your files and drives without extra clicks. This guide walks you through a simple, step-by-step process to set “This PC” as the default view when opening File Explorer in Windows 10, ensuring a more personalized and efficient experience.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with administrative access (recommended but not strictly necessary)
• Basic familiarity with Windows settings and File Explorer

Step-by-Step

1. Open File Explorer: Click on the folder icon in the taskbar or press Windows key + E on your keyboard to launch File Explorer.
2. Access the Folder Options: In the File Explorer window, click on the “View” tab in the ribbon at the top. Then, click on “Options” on the right side to open the Folder Options dialog box.
3. Change the Open File Explorer setting: In the Folder Options window, under the General tab, look for the section labeled “Open File Explorer to.” You will see a dropdown menu.
4. Select “This PC”: Click on the dropdown menu and choose “This PC” from the options. This setting will make File Explorer open to “This PC” by default instead of Quick Access.
5. Apply and save changes: Click the “Apply” button at the bottom of the window, then click “OK” to close the dialog box.
6. Test the new setting: Close all open File Explorer windows. Open File Explorer again by clicking the folder icon or pressing Windows key + E. It should now open directly to “This PC”.
7. Optional – Pin “This PC” for quick access: If you want quick access to “This PC,” right-click on “This PC” in the navigation pane and select “Pin to Quick access.” This way, you can quickly access it from the sidebar.

Common Mistakes

• Not clicking “Apply” before closing the Folder Options window. Changes won’t save without clicking this button.
• Confusing Quick Access with This PC. Ensure you select “This PC” in the dropdown menu under “Open File Explorer to.”
• Attempting to change the setting from the wrong tab or menu. Always access Folder Options via the “View” tab in File Explorer.
• Using an outdated Windows version. If the options are missing, ensure your Windows 10 is up to date.

Tips

• If you often switch between views, consider creating a desktop shortcut that opens File Explorer directly to “This PC” using a custom command.
• Use keyboard shortcuts like Windows key + E for quick access to File Explorer once the default is set.
• Pin “This PC” to the Quick Access toolbar for even faster navigation.
• If you prefer a different folder as your default, you can set that in the same Folder Options menu.

Troubleshooting

If your File Explorer still opens to Quick Access after following these steps, try the following:

• Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
• Reset Folder Options: Go back to the Folder Options dialog, click on the “View” tab, then click “Reset Folders” and “Restore Defaults.”
• Check for Windows updates: Outdated systems may have bugs that affect settings. Update Windows via Settings > Update & Security.
• If the setting reverts after a restart, consider creating a custom shortcut to open File Explorer to “This PC” directly: right-click on the desktop, select “New” > “Shortcut,” then enter explorer.exe ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D} as the location. Name it “File Explorer – This PC” and use this shortcut to open directly to “This PC.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make File Explorer always open to a specific folder?

Yes, you can create a custom shortcut with the folder path embedded, or change the default in Folder Options as shown above.

Will changing this setting affect other users on the same PC?

No, it only changes the view for your user account unless you modify system-wide settings.

Is there a way to set different default folders for different user profiles?

Yes, each user can set their own default in their user account’s Folder Options.

What if I want File Explorer to open to my Documents folder instead?

You can select that folder as the default in the Folder Options or create a shortcut pointing directly to your Documents folder.

Does this change affect File Explorer on other Windows devices linked to my account?

No, the setting is local to each device and user profile.

Can I revert back to Quick Access as the default?

Yes, simply revisit the Folder Options and select “Quick Access” from the dropdown menu, then save the changes.

This comprehensive guide ensures you can customize your Windows 10 experience to suit your workflow, saving time and reducing frustration when navigating your files. Adjusting the default startup folder makes accessing your data quicker and more intuitive, tailored to your preferences.

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