How to Restore or Enable Classic File Explorer in Windows 11 (All Versions)
If you want to restore a complete classic File Explorer (This PC or Windows Explorer) in Windows 11 with Windows 7 style command bar, classic Search box, context menus, square corners, etc, this article will help you.
Many Windows 11 users may find the new redesigned File Explorer very slow compared to the old File Explorer present in Windows 10 and previous Windows versions. Also users may notice bugs, delays and lags while opening File Explorer and navigating between folders. Sometimes the toolbar in File Explorer takes too much time in drawing on computer screen.
Once you restore full classic File Explorer in Windows 11, it also becomes super fast. You’ll notice a huge improvement while navigating between folders, items, etc. The navigation happens almost instantly without any lag or delay.
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Following screenshot shows a fully functional classic File Explorer running in our Windows 11 device and the same can be enabled in your device after following this tutorial:
In the above screenshot, you can notice following classic features restored in Windows 11 File Explorer:
- The new modern toolbar has been replaced with Windows 7 command bar
- The title bar is now White and supports Accent color settings applied in Settings -> Personalization page
- File Explorer window has squared corners
- Classic Search box has been restored which displays instant search results as soon as you start typing
- Classic Win32 list view style restored which shows separators, fonts and other UI elements darker
- Classic theme has been enabled which renders navigation pane, details pane, status bar, etc in old style
- The spacing or vertical gap between icons/items has been reduced a lot to show more items in less screen area. No more touch UI and huge spacing.
If you also want to get a full classic File Explorer experience in your Windows 11 computer as shown above, following steps will help you:
Table of Contents
STEP 1: Download and Install Explorer Patcher
To enable full classic File Explorer in Windows 11, we’ll take help of a freeware called “Explorer Patcher” developed by valinet.
Download Explorer Patcher from following link:
Download ExplorerPatcher for Windows 11
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STEP 2: Run Explorer Patcher to Enable Classic UI
After downloading the tool, install it and it’ll restart the Explorer.
Now right-click on the Taskbar and you’ll see some extra classic options added to the Taskbar such as Task Manager, cascade windows, Show desktop, etc. Click on Properties option in the context menu. It’ll open ExplorerPatcher settings window.
Alternatively, you can also open ExplorerPatcher properties using Start Menu -> All Apps -> Properties (ExplorerPatcher) option.
Now go to File Explorer tab in ExplorerPatcher properties and do as following:
- Enable “Disable the Windows 11 context menu” option
- Click on the “Control Interface” option and select Windows 7 Command Bar option from the drop-down box.
- Enable “Disable modern search bar” option
Click on “Restart File Explorer” link given at the bottom-left corner of the window and it’ll restart Explorer.
Now open File Explorer and you’ll see Windows 7 command bar, classic context menu (right-click menu) and classic Search box restored in File Explorer as shown in following screenshot:
STEP 4: Enable Classic Theme and UI in File Explorer
Now go to Advanced tab in ExplorerPatcher properties and enable following options:
- Enable advanced mitigations for correct rendering using classic theme
- Enable SysListView32 for Explorer views
Click on “Restart File Explorer” link given at the bottom-left corner of the window and it’ll restart Explorer.
Now open File Explorer and you’ll see classic theme and UI with darker fonts, separators restored in File Explorer as shown in following screenshot:
STEP 5: Disable Rounded Corners around Windows
Now go to Other tab in ExplorerPatcher properties and enable following option:
- Disable rounded corners for application windows
Click on “Restart File Explorer” link given at the bottom-left corner of the window and it’ll restart Explorer.
Now open File Explorer and you’ll notice that classic squared corners have been restored in place of rounded corners in File Explorer and other program windows.
Congratulations! You have restored full classic File Explorer in Windows 11.
PS: In future, if you decide to restore the default or new File Explorer in your Windows 11 device, set all the above mentioned options to their previous values again in ExplorerPatcher Properties window.
Also Check:
[Tip] Enable Colored Titlebar in Windows 11 File Explorer
[Fun Tip] Run Old and New File Explorer Side-by-Side in Windows 11
How to Restore or Enable Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 (All Versions)
Only want to enable colored titlebar in Windows11. Dont want to change other items ! When using the Explorer Patcher , other items will change also ( seems not possible to ONLY enable the colored titlebar !! )
Searching for a reg-key to get it done , without interfering in other personalizations .
^^ Here you go:
https://www.askvg.com/tip-enable-colored-titlebar-in-windows-11-file-explorer/
Your tip gives me the ExplorerPatcher again !
Did you read my previous post about this program ?
There must be , somehow , another option to get it done , without interfering in other settings.
^^ Afaik only ExplorerPatcher can do this. If I find any other method, I’ll let you know.
PS: You can turn off other features using Explorer Patcher settings.
“PS: You can turn off other features using Explorer Patcher settings.” how (?) to do that ? My widgets were ruined also , after starting the program !
Could only get the weather with temperature , the news was gone .
Multiple bugs generates when enable SysListView32 in ExplorerPatcher, such as drive name not appearing in dark mode, when insert pen drive or memory card, and copy some contents, contents are successfully pasted, but not appearing, so it’s better way to keep disable this option only, no other issues in ExplorerPatcher.
^^ Did you also enable “Enable advanced mitigations for correct rendering using classic theme”?
Yes, it is still enabled.
^^ In my experience, rendering using classic theme option might cause such kind of issues but SysListView32 option is not causing any issue here.
Good morning
Great job was what I was looking for especially for Restore classic File Explorer with Ribbon.
I kindly ask if you can help me how to insert into ISO this tweak, or turn it into executable file.
Thank you very much.