How to open File Explorer and Windows Explorer: 12 ways

File Explorer is one of the most used apps in Windows 11 and Windows 10, just like Windows Explorer is one of the most used tools in Windows 7. Whether you need to open, copy, delete, or move files, there is always one thing that you have to do first, and that is to open the File Explorer or the Windows Explorer. So we thought it would be an excellent idea to write this roundup article, showing all the ways in which you can open File Explorer in Windows 11 or Windows 10 and how to open Windows Explorer in Windows 7. They involve everything from search to keyboard shortcuts, using speech, and so on. Let’s get started:

Contents

1. 1. Open (Windows) File Explorer using the Win + E keyboard shortcut
2. 2. Use the File Explorer shortcut (or Windows Explorer shortcut) on the taskbar
3. 3. How to open File Explorer (or Windows Explorer) using search
4. 4. Open File Explorer in Windows 10 and Windows 11 using Cortana
5. 5. How to open File Explorer in Windows 11 or Windows 10 using its shortcut from the WinX menu
6. 6. How to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer using their Start Menu shortcuts
7. 7. Open File Explorer using its Start Menu button in Windows 11 and Windows 10
8. 8. How to create a File Explorer shortcut to open it from anywhere
9. 9. Open Windows/File Explorer from CMD (using Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell)
10. 10. How to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer using Task Manager
11. 11. Open File Explorer or Windows Explorer from the Run window
12. 12. Where is File Explorer in Windows? Open it by running explorer.exe
13. How do you open File Explorer or Windows Explorer?

NOTE: This guide covers Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 7. If you don’t know the Windows version you have, read this tutorial: How to tell what Windows I have (11 ways).

1. Open (Windows) File Explorer using the Win + E keyboard shortcut

The keyboard offers fast shortcuts for launching all kinds of things, including File Explorer and Windows Explorer. Press the Win + E keys on your keyboard, and watch File Explorer or Windows Explorer immediately start.

Open (Windows) File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard

2. Use the File Explorer shortcut (or Windows Explorer shortcut) on the taskbar

By default, both Windows 11 and Windows 10 include a File Explorer shortcut on the taskbar. To open File Explorer, all you have to do is click/tap this shortcut, whose icon looks like a folder. In Windows 11, its default location is in the middle of the taskbar.

Use the File Explorer shortcut on Windows 11's taskbar

In Windows 10, the taskbar is left-aligned, and the File Explorer shortcut is located next to the Task View button.

Use the File Explorer shortcut on Windows 10's taskbar

Similarly, if you’re wondering how to open Windows Explorer, know that Windows 7 includes a Windows Explorer shortcut on its taskbar. The icon looks slightly different from the one in Windows 11 or Windows 10, but it also depicts a folder.

Use the Windows Explorer shortcut on Windows 7's taskbar

Click on it, and Windows 7 will open its file manager immediately.

3. How to open File Explorer (or Windows Explorer) using search

If you’re using Windows 11, click or tap on the search button near the Start button on the taskbar and start typing “file explorer.” Then, when the search results are loaded, press Enter or click or tap on the File Explorer result.

How to open File Explorer in Windows 11 using search

In Windows 10, use the search box also found near the Start button on the taskbar and, inside it, write the same words: “file explorer.” Once the search is over, press Enter or click/tap on the File Explorer result to open it.

How to open File Explorer in Windows 10 using search

In Windows 7, open the Start Menu and type the words “windows explorer” in its search box. Then, click on the Windows Explorer shortcut.

How to open Windows Explorer in Windows 7 using search

4. Open File Explorer in Windows 10 and Windows 11 using Cortana

In Windows 11 and Windows 10, you can also ask Cortana to open File Explorer. Open Cortana and, in its text field, type “open File Explorer” and press Enter. Alternatively, you can push the microphone button and use your voice to say the “Open File Explorer!” command to Cortana.

How to open File Explorer using Cortana

Cortana will then immediately open the file manager app that’s standard in your Windows version.

5. How to open File Explorer in Windows 11 or Windows 10 using its shortcut from the WinX menu

If you’re using Windows 11 or Windows 10, press Windows + X on the keyboard to open the WinX menu. You can also right-click on the Start button to get the same result.

This menu also includes a File Explorer shortcut. Click or tap on it, and File Explorer opens immediately.

How to open File Explorer using its shortcut from the WinX menu

6. How to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer using their Start Menu shortcuts

In Windows 11, one of the easiest ways to launch File Explorer is to open the Start Menu and click or tap on the File Explorer shortcut found by default in the Pinned section.

How to open File Explorer in Windows 11 from the Start Menu Pinned list

Alternatively, you can also open the All apps list and start scrolling through it. You’ll find a File Explorer shortcut when you reach the letter F.

How to open File Explorer using its Start Menu shortcut in Windows 11

In Windows 10, File Explorer doesn’t have a default tile in the Start Menu. However, you can open the Start Menu and scroll the list of apps until you reach the folder called “Windows System.” If you open it, you should find a File Explorer shortcut inside.

How to open File Explorer from the Windows 10 Start Menu

In Windows 7, open the Start Menu and enter the Accessories folder. There, you’ll find a Windows Explorer shortcut.

How to open Windows Explorer using its shortcut from the Start Menu

7. Open File Explorer using its Start Menu button in Windows 11 and Windows 10

Another way to open File Explorer in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is to add a button for it in the Start Menu. To learn how to do that, read one of these tutorials, depending on your Windows version:

• How to personalize your Start Menu in Windows 11
• How to add or remove Windows 10 Start Menu folders

In short, regardless of whether you’re on Windows 11 or Windows 10, you need to open the Settings app and navigate to “Personalization > Start.” Next, in Windows 11, access Folders, or, in Windows 10, click or tap on “Choose which folders appear on Start.” Then, in either operating system, turn the File Explorer switch on.

Add a File Explorer button to the Start Menu

Then, Windows 11 shows a new button for File Explorer next to the Power button in the Start Menu.

How to open File Explorer in Windows 11 using its button from the Start Menu

In Windows 10, you get a File Explorer button on the left side of the Start Menu, above the Power and Settings buttons.

How to open File Explorer in Windows 10 using its Start Menu button

Click or tap on it to open File Explorer.

8. How to create a File Explorer shortcut to open it from anywhere

You can always make a shortcut to File Explorer. If you’re using Windows 11 or Windows 10, an easy way to do it is to drag and drop the File Explorer shortcut from the Start Menu onto your desktop or in any other folder you prefer.

File Explorer shortcut pinned to the desktop of Windows 11

Another one is to create a File Explorer shortcut or Windows Explorer shortcut manually. Just make sure to enter explorer as the shortcut’s “[...] location of the item”.

Create (Windows) File Explorer shortcut

NOTE: If you need help creating shortcuts, read How to create shortcuts for files, folders, apps, and web pages in Windows.

9. Open Windows/File Explorer from CMD (using Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell)

You can also open File Explorer from CMD, just as you can also open Windows Explorer from CMD. If you like working with Windows Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, type the command explorer in any of them and press Enter.

How to open File Explorer from CMD (Windows Terminal, PowerShell, Command Prompt)

This immediately opens File Explorer from CMD in Windows 11 and Windows 10 or Windows Explorer in Windows 7.

10. How to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer using Task Manager

Another way of opening File Explorer or Windows Explorer is to use the Task Manager. Launch Task Manager: a quick way to do it is to press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard. If you are using Windows 11 or Windows 10, and the Task Manager opens up in its compact view mode, click or tap on “More details.” Then, open the File menu and click or tap on “Run new task.”

Run new task in Task Manager

Type explorer In the “Create new task” window and then press Enter or OK.

How to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer using Task Manager

11. Open File Explorer or Windows Explorer from the Run window

Another method we know for opening File Explorer or File Explorer is to use the good old Run window. Launch Run (a quick way to do that is to press the Win + R keys) and enter the word explorer in it. Then click or tap on OK, or press Enter on your keyboard.

Open File Explorer or Windows Explorer from the Run window

12. Where is File Explorer in Windows? Open it by running explorer.exe

Both Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 7 store the executable file for File Explorer in the standard Windows folder. As a result, although it’s kind of redundant, you can also navigate to your Windows folder and then double-click on the explorer.exe file to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer.

Where is Windows/File Explorer? Open it by running explorer.exe

How do you open File Explorer or Windows Explorer?

These are all the methods we know for starting File Explorer and Windows Explorer in Windows. Do you know how to open these file managers in other ways? If you do, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments section below, and we will update this article as soon as possible.