If you’re looking to maste the r File Explorer in Windows 11, you’ve come to the right place. File Explorer is Windows’ default app for managing all your files and folders. And you can manage them a little more effectively with some additional know-how.

That’s why we’ve written this handy guide, sharing 11 of the best File Explorer tips and tricks in Windows 11. So fire it up by pressing Ctrl + E, and let’s get cracking.

1. Select Multiple Files With Checkboxes

There are many ways to select multiple files in Windows quickly. For instance, to select files one at a time, you press and hold the Ctrl button and click on each file you want. You can also choose a range of files by holding Shift and clicking on the last file or folder in your selection list, or you can highlight everything at once by pressing Ctrl + A.

A more hidden way of selecting multiple files is by enabling check boxes in File Explorer. Open File Explorer and click on View on the main menu. Then choose Show and then Item check boxes.

Enabling item checkboxes in Windows 11.

Now when you hover over files, you’ll see a check box, and you’ll be able to select multiple files by ticking their respective check boxes.

Selecting folder with item check boxes in Windows 11.

2. Add the Recycle Bin to the Left Pane

To access the Recycle Bin, you’ll have to open it using the desktop shortcut. However, this requires closing or minimizing all the windows you currently have open. Luckily, you can add the Recycle Bin to the sidebar or the Navigation pane of File Explorer and open it from there or simply drag and drop files and folders you want to delete into it.

Right-click on an empty space on the left pane and select Show all folders.

Choosing the "Show all folders" option in Windows 11.

Now you’ll see that the Recycle Bin is one of the items on the left pane.

Recycle Bin in Navigation pane in Windows 11.

There are also other ways to add the Recycle Bin to File Explorer in Windows 11.

3. Switch to Compact View

If you think there’s too much space or padding between your files, you can quickly rectify that by switching on Compact View. Take a look at the screenshot below to see what File Explorer looks like with Compact View disabled (the default option) in Windows 11.

File Explorer in Windows 11 with Compact View disabled.

To enable Compact View, click on View in the top menu and select Compact View.

enabling-compact-view-windows-11

The extra space between files will be gone, moving the files closer to each other. Remember that Compact View only works when you set a folder’s layout to List view.

File Explorer in Windows 11 with compact view enabled

4. Hide Recent Files and Folders in Quick Access

If Quick Access in File Explorer feels cluttered to you, perhaps hiding the recent files and folders can help. To do that, click on the three dots at the end of the top menu and select Options to open Folder Options.

Choosing Options in File Explorer in Windows 11 to open Folder Options.

Then, uncheck Show recently used files in Quick Access and Show recently used folders in Quick Access and click on OK.

Removing recent file history from File Explorer.

5. Pin Folder to Quick Access

Pinning folders to Quick Access is a fast and convenient way to access them. Just right-click on any folder in File Explorer and select Pin to Quick Access.

Pinning file to Quick Access from context menu.

You can also pin folders by dragging and dropping them in Quick Access. And to unpin a folder, right-click it and select Unpin from Quick Access.

6. Add the Libraries Folder to the Left Pane

The Libraries folder in Windows is a collection of your folders, including Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos. To add the folder to the Navigation pane in File Explorer, right-click on any empty space and select Show libraries.

7. Rename Files in Bulk

It can get tedious to rename files one at a time, especially if you have many of them. You have to right-click on the file, select Rename, enter the new name, and hit Enter to rename it. Then you have to do the same for the next file until you’ve renamed them all.

An easier way is by pressing the Tab key instead of the Enter key after renaming a file. Doing this will highlight the next file, making it ready for renaming.

8. Rotate Multiple Images at Once

You can also rotate a bunch of images instead of doing it one by one. To do this, highlight all the image files you want to rotate, right-click on any of them, and select Rotate left or Rotate right.

Rotating multiple images in File Explorer.

9. Change a Folder’s Picture

You can personalize your folders in File Explorer by changing their thumbnail to make them stand out. Right-click on a folder and select Properties. Then, navigate to the Customize tab and click on Choose File under Folder pictures.

Customize tab in file properties in Windows 11.

Next, navigate to the folder with the image you want to use as the thumbnail, select it, and click Open. You can also double-click on the image to select it.

Selecting an image in File Explorer.

Then, click OK to close the properties windows and apply the changes.

10. Share Files From Within File Explorer

In Windows 11, Microsoft has made it easier and more convenient to share your files from within File Explorer. Right-click on any file and select Share from the icons on the top of the context menu.

Sharing a file in File Explorer in Windows 11.

You’ll then see options to share the file with nearby devices, your contacts, or through an app.

Sharing an item in File Explorer in Windows 11.

Select the method you want and follow the instructions to share the file.

11. Change File Explorer’s Default Start Folder to This PC

Windows will open File Explorer with Quick Access selected by default, but you can change it to This PC with only a few clicks. Click on the three dots on the top menu of File Explorer and select Options. Click on the dropdown for Open File Explorer to and change it to This PC.

Changing File Explorer start folder to This PC.

Now, every time you open File Explorer, it will open in This PC instead of Quick Access.

Get More Out of File Explorer in Windows 11

These Windows 11 File Explorer tips and tricks will set you on the right path to mastering Microsoft’s built-in file manager app. Learning to use File Explorer beyond the basic operations can make working in Windows 11 more efficient and enjoyable.