[Fun Tip] Run Old and New File Explorer Side-by-Side in Windows 11

Today while working in the classic Control Panel in one of my Windows 11 devices, I discovered an interesting way to access classic File Explorer with ribbon in Windows 11 which I’m going to share in this article.

You may call it a bug, glitch or hidden secret Easter egg in Windows 11 which can help us in accessing and launching old classic File Explorer with Ribbon toolbar in Windows 11 without modifying any Registry key or using any 3rd part software program.

The best part of this trick is that you don’t even need to disable the new File Explorer in Windows 11. In fact you can run both new and classic File Explorer simultaneously side-by-side as shown in following screenshot:

Table of Contents

Old and New File Explorer Running Side-by-Side in Windows 11:
Use Classic and New File Explorer Together in Windows 11
STEP 1: Open Classic Control Panel
STEP 2: Go UP and Get Classic File Explorer
FUN TIP: Use Both File Explorers
NOTE:
VIDEO Featuring the Full Procedure:

Old and New File Explorer Running Side-by-Side in Windows 11:

Old_Classic_New_File_Explorer_Running_Side_By_Side_Windows_11.png

In the above screenshot, you can see both new and old File Explorer are opened in Windows 11 together at the same time.

Windows 11 comes with a redesigned File Explorer (also known as Windows Explorer, This PC or My Computer). The new File Explorer features a brand new toolbar containing basic buttons such as new, cut, copy, paste, delete, rename, view, etc. It’s quite similar to Windows XP Explorer toolbar but we can’t customize it. At the moment the Explorer toolbar in Windows 11 is restricted and we can’t add/remove buttons.

In Windows 10, the File Explorer comes with ribbon UI similar to Microsoft Office apps and a few months back, we shared a registry tweak to disable new File Explorer and restore classic File Explorer with Ribbon toolbar in Windows 11. You can find the tutorial at following link:

[Tip] Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11

So basically, you can either have the new File Explorer or classic File Explorer in Windows 11 but what if you wanted to have both File Explorer in Windows 11? Wouldn’t it be great if you could choose which File Explorer should Windows 11 launch? Here is the fun trick.

Use Classic and New File Explorer Together in Windows 11

I accidentally found this cool trick which will allow you to to open and use old and new File Explorer in Windows 11 according to your choice. You can decide which File Explorer you want to use to browse a folder or you can run both File Explorer side-by-side i.e. together in your Windows 11 device.

The trick is to use classic Control Panel to launch classic File Explorer in Windows 11 without disabling or deactivating the new File Explorer.

We know that Windows 11 still comes with classic Control Panel which can be accessed using control.exe command and we can use the Control Panel to launch File Explorer in classic mode with ribbon toolbar similar to Windows 10.

If you also want to test drive classic File Explorer with Ribbon UI along with new File Explorer with toolbar in Windows 11, following steps will help you:

STEP 1: Open Classic Control Panel

First of all we need to open classic Control Panel in Windows 11. There are 2 ways to open classic Control Panel:

Option 1: You can open it using RUN dialog box. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type control in RUN dialog box and press Enter. It’ll open classic Control Panel.

Option 2: Open File Explorer using desktop icon or pinned icon on Taskbar or by pressing WIN+E keys together. Now click on UP icon in toolbar or press ALT+UP Arrow key present on the keyboard. It’ll open Desktop folder in File Explorer. Now you can click on Control Panel icon to launch classic Control Panel.

STEP 2: Go UP and Get Classic File Explorer

Once you open classic Control Panel, click on the UP icon in toolbar again or press ALT+UP Arrow key present on the keyboard. You may need to click on the UP button or press ALT+UP Arrow keys 2 times and VOILLA, the classic File Explorer is ready to use.

Windows 11 will launch the same Windows 10’s classic File Explorer with Ribbon toolbar for you.

Now click on “This PC” icon and start using the File Explorer to browse through drives and folders.

FUN TIP: Use Both File Explorers

Keep opened the classic File Explorer and press WIN+E keys together and Windows 11 will open new File Explorer. Now you can use both new and old File Explorer together side-by-side in Windows 11.

NOTE:

In my opinion, the classic File Explorer is faster than the new File Explorer. There is a few milliseconds delay while switching between drives and folder in new File Explorer. On the other hand, the classic File Explorer navigates between folders instantly.