[Tip] Enable Windows 11 Like Tabs in File Explorer in Windows 7, 8 and 10

If you want to enable Windows 11 style tabbed File Explorer in Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 10, this article will help you. You’ll also be able to get tabs in File Explorer in previous or older Windows 11 versions which were released before Windows 11 2022 Update version 22H2.

Following screenshot shows tabs UI enabled in Windows 7 Explorer:

Following screenshot shows tabs UI enabled in File Explorer in Windows 10:

Following screenshot shows tabs UI enabled in File Explorer in Windows 11 older versions (before 22H2):

Microsoft added tab UI or interface to the File Explorer in Windows 11 2022 Update (version 22H2). This new tab UI adds tab support to File Explorer (also known as My Computer, This PC and Windows Explorer) similar to web browsers. You can create multiple tabs inside a single File Explorer window and open drives and folders in those tabs. In this way, you can manage multiple folders and drives inside a single Explorer window.

PS: The tabs feature was initially planned to release for Windows 10 with the name “Sets” but later Microsoft decided to release it for Windows 11 only.

If you are using Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10 or older Windows 11 version and want to enjoy a tabbed File Explorer similar to newer Windows 11 versions, here is something interesting for you.

STEP 1: Download QTTabBar to Add Tabs to Windows Explorer

Long time back in year 2007, we featured a freeware called “QTTabBar” which was released to enable tabs in Windows Explorer in Windows XP and Windows Vista. In 2011, the software was updated to bring tab support to Windows 7 and now the current version of QTTabBar supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems as well.

So you can install and use QTTabBar software to get Windows 11 like tabs in File Explorer in Windows 7, 8, 10 and previous Windows 11 versions.

QTTabBar comes with many useful features such as:

• Adds tab UI to Windows Explorer
• Adds dual-pane view to Windows Explorer
• Adds classic toolbars to Windows Explorer similar to Classic Shell
• Brings many classic features back to Windows Explorer
• Shows instant previews of images, text and media files
• Allows many other system tasks such as repairing icon cache, clearing history, etc.

You can read our exclusive detailed review of QTTabBar and download the software from following link:

Add Tabs, Dual-Pane View and All Classic Features to Windows Explorer

STEP 2: Enable QTTabBar in File Explorer (Important)

Once you install QTTabBar, you’ll need to enable the Tab Bar manually in Windows Explorer.

If you are using Windows 7, open Windows Explorer and press ALT key to show Menubar. Now right-click on Menubar and select QTTabBar option. You can also enable QTTabBar from View menu.

If you are using Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 10, click on View tab in Ribbon and then click on drop-down arrow given under Options button and there you can enable QTTabBar.

Now you can right-click on any drive or folder in File Explorer and you’ll get a new option to open it in a new tab. You can also quickly open drives and folders in tabs by pressing and holding CTRL key and double-clicking on the drive or folder.

Also Check:

[Tip] Disable Tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer

[Tip] Enable Full Classic File Explorer in Windows 11

[Tip] Enable Colored Titlebar in Windows 11 File Explorer