These File Explorer Tricks Will Boost Your Productivity

File Explorer is one of the most frequently used tools for Windows users, but sticking to its default settings means you’re missing out on its full potential. With a few simple tweaks, you can improve your file management, navigate faster, and enhance productivity. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of File Explorer.

Use Quick Access for Faster Navigation

Quick Access is a handy feature that allows you to pin frequently used folders for instant access. For instance, if you use a work folder daily, pinning it to Quick Access saves you from navigating to its location every time.

How to Pin a Folder to Quick Access:

Open File Explorer and locate the folder you want to pin.
Right-click on the folder and select Pin to Quick Access.

To remove a folder, right-click it and select Remove from Quick Access. If you don’t like Quick Access, you can even hide it completely from the navigation pane.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Navigation

File Explorer supports several keyboard shortcuts to make workflow easier and navigation faster. Here are some handy ones:

Win + E: Open File Explorer.
Ctrl + N: Open a new File Explorer window.
Alt + Arrow Keys: Move back and forth between folders.
Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder.
F2 (Fn + F2): Rename a file or folder.
Ctrl + F: Focus on the search bar.
Alt + Enter: Open file properties.
Ctrl + L: Focus on the address bar.
Ctrl + Shift + Delete: Permanently delete files.

These shortcuts are easy to remember and can save you a lot of time.

Utilize Tabs in File Explorer

With Windows 11, File Explorer introduced tabs, making multitasking easier. Tabs let you open multiple folders within the same window, just like browser tabs, helping you avoid clutter.

How to Use Tabs:

Press Ctrl + T or click the + icon to open a new tab.
Use Ctrl + Tab to switch between tabs.
Close a tab with Ctrl + W.

Tabs are perfect for anyone juggling multiple folders at once.

Advanced Filters and Search Operators

The search bar in File Explorer supports advanced filters and operators to refine your searches. For example:

kind: document: Finds Word docs, PDFs, and other text files.
ext: mp3: Shows files with an MP3 extension.
size:>100MB: Lists files larger than 100MB.
datemodified:>2/1/2025: Displays files modified after Feb 1, 2025.

You can also combine filters with AND/OR/NOT for more specific searches, like finding JPG files under 100KB. These options make searching large folders a breeze.

Add Folders to Libraries

Libraries let you group related folders in one place, making it easier to organize and access your files. By default, Windows includes libraries for Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos, but you can create your own.

How to Create a Library:

Open File Explorer and look for the Libraries section in the navigation pane.
If it’s hidden, right-click an empty space in the pane and select Show Libraries.
Right-click Libraries, then select New > Library.
Name your library and add folders by clicking Include a folder.

Libraries are especially helpful if your files are spread across external drives or cloud storage.

Enable Preview Pane

The Preview Pane shows a quick preview of documents, images, and text files without opening them. This is particularly useful when dealing with files with similar names.

How to Enable Preview Pane:

Open File Explorer.
Click the View tab and select Preview pane.

Now, when you click on a file, you’ll see its contents in the Preview Pane on the right.

Enable File Extensions

By default, File Explorer hides file extensions, but enabling them can improve security and give you better control over your files.

How to Enable File Extensions:

Open File Explorer and click the View tab.
Hover over Show and select File name extensions.

With extensions visible, you can avoid opening suspicious files and manage your data more effectively.

Final Thoughts

File Explorer is a versatile tool, and with these simple tweaks, you can make it even more powerful. From using Quick Access to leveraging advanced search filters, these tips can significantly streamline your workflow. Try them out and see how much easier file management becomes on Windows.