How to Open Windows Explorer

This wikiHow teaches you how to open the Explorer app on a Windows computer. On Windows 10 and 8, this app is called "File Explorer", while it is called "Windows Explorer" on Windows 7 and Vista.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Windows 10 and 8

  1. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 1
    1
    Open the Start menu
    Image titled Windowsstart.png
    .     Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press the ⊞ Win key.
    • On Windows 8, instead hover your mouse in the upper-right corner of the screen, then click the magnifying glass icon.
  2. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 2
    2
    Type file explorer into Start. You should see a folder icon appear at the top of the Start window.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 3
    3
    Click on
    Image titled File_Explorer_Icon.png
    File Explorer.     It's the folder-shaped icon at the top of the Start window. Doing so will open File Explorer.
  4. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 4
    4
    Consider different methods for opening File Explorer. A few different ways of opening File Explorer include the following:
    Advertisement

Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Windows 7 and Vista

  1. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 5
    1
    Open the Start menu
    Image titled Windowswindows7_start.png
    .     Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen or press the ⊞ Win key.
  2. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 6
    2
    Type windows explorer into Start. You should see a folder icon appear at the top of the Start window.
  3. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 7
    3
    Click
    Image titled Windowswindows7_explorer.png
    Windows Explorer.     It's the folder-shaped icon at the top of the Start window. Doing so will open the Windows Explorer app.
  4. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 8
    4
    Consider alternative ways of opening Windows Explorer. A few different ways are:
    Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I back up my files before installing a new OS?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    See How to Back Up Data.
  • Question
    Where is Windows Explorer in Windows 8.1?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    See How to Open File Explorer for specific instructions that apply to newer versions of Windows like 8.1.
  • Question
    What is the purpose of Windows Explorer?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The purpose of Windows Explorer is to let you view, open, copy, move, and otherwise manage your files and folders.
  • Question
    How can I get Windows Explorer off my Vista computer?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    You can't because it's an integral component of Windows.
  • Question
    How do I open a flash drive?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    To open the contents of your removable drive, just open your File Explorer or Library. Select "This PC", then scroll down to devices and drives, and it should appear.
  • Question
    What do I do if a box appears saying Windows Explorer has stopped working?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    Windows Error Reporting should provide you with the ability to restart Explorer. Consider reading our guide on How to Restart Windows Explorer.
  • Question
    How do I find folder options?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    File Explorer Options (named Folder Options) in Windows versions under Windows 10 can be accessed via the system search. Alternatively, press the Win + R keys, type "control folders", and click "OK".
  • Question
    What do I do if all of my icons have been corrupted?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    Try reading the article on How to Rebuild the Icon Cache in Windows.
  • Question
    How do I get Windows Explorer on my Acer Chromebook 15?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    Windows Explorer is an included application for Windows PCs only. It cannot be downloaded.
  • Question
    How can I delete a document in Windows?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    Right-click on the file and choose "Delete" from the context menu. Empty the Recycle Bin afterward to ensure permanent deletion.
Show more answers

You Might Also Like

Open File Explorer
How to
Open File Explorer
Restart Windows Explorer Without Rebooting Computer
How to
Restart Windows Explorer Without Rebooting Computer
Take a Screenshot in Microsoft WindowsThe Easiest Way to Take a Screenshot in Windows | wikiHow
Install FFmpeg on Windows
How to
Install FFmpeg on Windows
Enter BIOS
How to
Enter BIOS
Install Windows from Ubuntu
How to
Install Windows from Ubuntu
Zoom Out on a PC
How to
Zoom Out on a PC
Check Your Windows Product Key
How to
Check Your Windows Product Key
Check if a Hard Drive Is SSD or HDD on Windows
How to
Check if a Hard Drive Is SSD or HDD on Windows
Check Your Windows Version
How to
Check Your Windows Version
Manually Reset Your Wireless Adapter in Windows
How to
Manually Reset Your Wireless Adapter in Windows
How to
Zoom in on a PC
Resolve No Sound on Windows Computer
How to
Resolve No Sound on Windows Computer
Hide the Windows Taskbar
How to
Hide the Windows Taskbar
Advertisement

About This Article

JL
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
Tech Specialist
This article was written by Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 801,265 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 37
Updated: August 19, 2021
Views: 801,265
Categories: Windows
Article SummaryX

1. Open Start.
2. Type File Explorer (Windows 10 and 8) or Windows Explorer (Windows 7 and Vista).
3. Click the matching result.

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement