Windows 10: have File Explorer open ‘This PC’ by default

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Published onAugust 22, 2015

published onAugust 22, 2015

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Here’s a neat little tip for those of you running Windows 10. If you dislike the fact that File Explorer will open up the Quick Access view by default, and you wish to have the old familiar “This PC” open up instead, here’s a simple trick. All you need to do is open File Explorer, tap or click on View, and select Options. Under the General tab, change the value for “Open File Explorer.” Instead of “Quick Access,” change it to “This PC.”

Quick Access was intended to show you a list of frequent folders and recent files, in an attempt to make your computing life a little bit easier. But not everyone wants this feature. The above setting change will allow you to use File Explorer the more traditional way — having you see your Folders, Devices and drives every time you open File Explorer.

You can also clear your Quick Access history by hitting the “Clear” button on the Folder Options dialog. Simply open File Explorer, tap or click on View, and select Options. Look under the Privacy category. If this isnt good enough, you can also right click each folder in Quick Access and remove it (or unpin it).

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

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Windows 10: have File Explorer open ‘This PC’ by default