Instructions to change the default File Explorer folder

By default, File Explorer opens to the Home folder, which contains recently used folders and files in Quick Access. However, if someone accesses your computer, they will accidentally see the files you have accessed recently. If you want to change the default File Explorer folder, follow the instructions below.

Change Default File Explorer to This PC

File Explorer has three default folders that you can swap between including Home, This PC, and OneDrive from Windows 11 build 22593 onwards.

In the File Explorer interface, users click on the 3-dot icon and select Options in the displayed menu.

Then at Open File Explorer you choose the new default folder according to your usage needs.

Use shortcuts to change File Explorer

If you access File Explorer through the Windows toolbar, you can change the shortcut to open a folder instead of launching File Explorer.

Step 1:

Find the folder you want to set as the new default via File Explorer. Then, right-click on the folder and select Show more options , then select Send to, then select Desktop (create shortcut) .

Step 2:

Copy the path below and paste it into the File Explorer address box at the top and press Enter. This will open the Taskbar folder containing shortcuts.

%APPDATA%MicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick LaunchUser PinnedTaskBar

Step 3:

The user proceeds to drag the folder shortcut created above into this folder .

Step 3:

Finally, delete the existing File Explorer shortcut and rename the new shortcut to File Explorer . This way, when you open it, that folder will be displayed.

To return to the old way, unpin File Explorer on the Taskbar, then create a new pin for File Explorer.

Lesley Montoya

Update 22 April 2025