A long-awaited enhancement for Windows users has finally arrived with the Windows 11 Moment 1 update: a tabbed File Explorer. This feature, which has been on the wishlist of many, has seen Microsoft diligently address various bugs and quirks over subsequent updates. Now, the tech giant is tackling one of the more frustrating aspects of the system’s functionality.
New Tab Functionality in File Explorer
For those familiar with Windows 11, the experience of opening a new File Explorer window each time a folder link is clicked has been a common annoyance. However, with the latest update, build 22635.4515, Microsoft is introducing a welcome change. Users can now select their preferred behavior for opening folder links: either in a new tab or through the traditional method of spawning a new window.
More File Explorer changes: when opening desktop folders/external folder links, they’ll open in new tabs in an existing window by default. Currently, they just open in a new window. (ID is disabled by default, Beta 22635.4515.)vivetool /enable /id:49143212 https://t.co/jJVSpDWKUG pic.twitter.com/IxsPVxr8Xm
— phantomofearth 🍂 (@phantomofearth) November 23, 2024
While this new tab option is not activated by default, users eager to experience the change can enable it manually using the ViVeTool application. Here’s how:
- Download ViveTool from GitHub and unpack the files in a convenient and easy-to-find folder.
- Launch Command Prompt as Administrator and navigate to the folder containing the ViveTool files with the CD command. For example, if you have placed ViveTool in C:Vive, type CD C:Vive.
- Type vivetool /enable /id:49143212,52081114,48433719 and press Enter.
- Restart your computer.
Once enabled, users can further customize their File Explorer experience by navigating to Folder Options > General > “Open desktop folders and external folder links in new tab.”
In addition to the tabbed browsing feature, Windows 11 build 22635.4515 brings other improvements to File Explorer, including the ability to disable the OneDrive backup notification that appears in the address bar, enhancing user control and convenience.
