Windows 11 has brought to us a host of new features which claim to make user experience and PC performance much better. But, is it really helping users that much? Well, it depends on what you prefer. Not many peeps were happy about Microsoft removing popular functionalities like drag & drop (taskbar), timeline, and a few others. However, the new design looks pretty aesthetic. Many features like the Start, File Explorer, Settings, and others have got a fun and pleasing makeover. Although it may be more user-friendly than Windows 10, users will need some time to adjust to the all-new interface of Windows 11. Plus, Microsoft has just started rolling out Windows 11 for devices (October 5). We will need to give it some time to stabilize and develop.
According to critic reviews, Windows 11 has the potential to grow much stronger in the upcoming months. Until then, you can make use of a few workarounds to recall some old functionalities. As it happens, we have come across queries regarding whether we can bring back the classic or original File Explorer of previous Windows editions. Fortunately, we can. And, it is just a command away! Keep reading to know more.
How to get Classic/Old File Explorer in Windows 11?
The new File Explorer includes lesser menu options for navigation and easy access as compared to the extremely useful, old-school File Explorer of Windows 7,8, and 10. As a result, many of us want to recall the old Windows File Explorer (Ribbon Menu). You can do so very easily by opening up Command Prompt and typing in a command to install the old File Explorer.
1) Firstly, look for Command Prompt in the Start Menu (use search), right-click on it, and select Run as administrator. Here’s the command:
reg.exe add “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked” /v “{e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}” /t REG_SZ
2) Once you copy-paste the above command into the Command Prompt terminal, hit the Enter key. The command will run successfully.
3) Now all you have to do is open up Task Manager (CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys) and restart the Windows File Explorer from the Processes tab. To do so, locate Windows Explorer in the list of processes and then right-click on it > Restart.
That’s it. The next time you open up Windows Explorer, you will see the old (your favorite) Ribbon Menu again.
How to get back the new File Explorer?
If you want to recall the new File Explorer of Windows 11, the process is pretty much the same.
1) Type the following command in a Command Prompt terminal:
reg.exe delete “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked” /f
2) Once you copy-paste the above command, go ahead and hit Enter key. Next, restart the File Explorer process from the Task Manager as described for the old File Explorer.
Voila! You are now back to the new one.
For more Windows 11 workarounds, stay tuned to Androidgram!
