Windows has had the same File Explorer interface for ages with little to no change in terms of appearance and file handling. However, a Redditor has discovered a hidden File Explorer on Windows 10 which is based on the newer UWP (Universal Windows Platform) standards. The new interface looks quite modern and consistently fluent in design language. It no longer looks legacy by any means and I absolutely love this new look. So, if you want to try out the new File Explorer on Windows 10 then follow the steps below.
UWP-based File Explorer Based on Windows 10
The steps are quite straightforward so it won’t take much time to access it. However, keep in mind, the new File Explorer is still in development so there might be some bugs. Also, some of the popular features like Pin to Quick Access or List View is not available right now. Having said that, now let’s begin.
Note: I tested the new File Explorer on both Windows 10 1903 and Insider build and it worked pretty well. So, if you want to try it out, make sure you are on the latest version of Windows 10.
1. All you have to do is copy the command below and paste it on any File Explorer window. After that, hit enter and you will be into the new explorer window.
shell:AppsFolderc5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515_cw5n1h2txyewy!App
2. Here is the new File Explorer in action.
3. If you want to use it regularly then you can simply pin the new File Explorer on your taskbar.
So that was our quick look into the new File Explorer on Windows 10. We have been waiting for a File Explorer redesign for years and finally, we got a sneak peek of what is coming in the future. Microsoft has been releasing quite a few new Windows 10 features and I am loving this new approach. Click on the link to check them out. Also, let us know your thoughts on these new features and the features that you would like to see in the future updates.
When I have a file opened, I’d like to have a shortcut to navigate to this file inside the EXPLORER, so that I can see where it is located.
How can I do this?
dreftymac
30.8k26 gold badges117 silver badges180 bronze badges
asked Jun 30, 2017 at 10:12
In the command palette (F1), there is a Files: Reveal Active File in Side Bar command. You can assign a shortcut to it via the keyboard shortcuts editor:
Alternatively, you could try the Reveal extension which adds this button to editors:
It might make sense to disable auto-reveal when using this shortcut as a «manual reveal»:
"explorer.autoReveal": false
answered Jun 30, 2017 at 11:20
Gama11Gama11
30.3k9 gold badges72 silver badges98 bronze badges
5
To show the active file in the Windows-Explorer or sidebar:
- right-click on the file tab and choose ‘reveal in explorer’/’reveal in side bar’
The keyboard shortcut for reveal in windows explorer is is ctrl K R
To show the file in the sidebar you can assign a custom code in the keybindings window:
answered Jun 30, 2017 at 10:30
jpsjps
18.5k14 gold badges70 silver badges77 bronze badges
1
Just press Cmd + Shift + E and the explorer will show the file you are viewing.
answered Jan 13, 2022 at 11:01
Wanted to add that the first answer still works, but that the text was slightly changed to «Reveal in Explorer View» from «Reveal file in sidebar»
and
right clicking on the tab
answered Apr 28, 2022 at 14:37
GauntGaunt
5806 silver badges19 bronze badges
Download PC Repair Tool to quickly find & fix Windows errors automatically
In this post, we will see how you can use Paste and Go or Go to copied address functionality in Internet Explorer on Windows 10, to directly open the copied website URL.
Most modern browsers like Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Maxthon, etc, let you simply copy a URL or link address to your clipboard, right-click in the address bar, and select Paste and Go, to directly open the webpage. This saves you from pasting the link in the address bar and then pressing the Go button.
Paste and Go in Internet Explorer
Unfortunately, Internet Explorer still does not offer this so-useful functionality in such a simple way. Way back, there was a hack that allowed you to create an HTML file, tweak the registry and add this entry to the context menu of Internet Explorer 8 – and I have no idea if it works now. Microsoft did implement the Paste and Go functionality but in a different way.
Go to copied address & Search using copied text
To use this functionality, once you have copied any text or a link to your clipboard, press Ctrl+Shift+L keyboard combination.
If you have copied text, then your default search will open and automatically search for the text. If it is a URL or link that you have copied, then that web page will open automatically.
Alternatively, you could right-click anywhere in the open Internet Explorer tab and you will see an entry Go to copied address – if you have copied a link, or you will see Search using copied text – if you have copied text to your clipboard.
Selecting this entry, will either open the web page or search for the text using your default search engine, as the case may be.
Even if you open the New Page tab and right-click anywhere, you will see these entries.
While this does add functionality, it does not come anywhere near to the simple Paste and Go or Paste and Search feature offered by other browsers, in my opinion.
Anand Khanse is the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, a 10-year Microsoft MVP (2006-16) & a Windows Insider MVP (2016-2022). Please read the entire post & the comments first, create a System Restore Point before making any changes to your system & be careful about any 3rd-party offers while installing freeware.
Windows 10: Can’t paste into File Explorer
Discus and support Can’t paste into File Explorer in Windows 10 Network and Sharing to solve the problem; Just what it says. I need to create a userChrome.css file for Firefox modifications and File Explorer simply will NOT allow me to paste into the…
Discussion in ‘Windows 10 Network and Sharing’ started by SmartAleq, Jul 14, 2020.
-
Can’t paste into File Explorer
Just what it says. I need to create a userChrome.css file for Firefox modifications and File Explorer simply will NOT allow me to paste into the window, paste option is greyed out. This is a new install, build is 19041.264. I searched and found a similar issue back from April but there was no solution given. Anyone?
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«This file can’t be previewed» problem in explorer
Hi Deborah,
For us to provide an accurate resolution, kindly elaborate the issue by answering the questions listed below:
- Since when have you been experiencing this issue?
- Were there any changes on your PC before this happened like software or updates installed?
For initial troubleshooting, we suggest that you follow the steps listed below:
- Open File Explorer.
- Access this link
C:UsersUSERNAMEAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsExplorer
- Delete all the files.
- After deleting the files kindly try and see if there’s a thumbnail preview of your files.
We’re looking forward to your response.
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Windows Explorer Copy and Paste problems
Hi,
The copy/paste problem could be due to Windows Explorer issue or faulty keyboard.
Wewould like to know some information to better isolate the problem:
- Is the issue also happening when trying to copy/paste any Office files, or is it only happening in Windows Explorer?
- Have you tried other ways like; right-click + Copy, then right-click + Paste?
- What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?
We will wait for your reply.
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Can’t paste into File Explorer
File Explorer Search Not Working
I am trying to search in File Explorer (Windows Explorer, My Computer) and it will not find anything. I can copy text from a name in the list and paste it in the search box and it still finds nothing. I have looked at the suggestions that have been posted and nothing I find that is relative to this works. Anyone have any suggestions? I am running Win 10 Pro on an I3 coustom desktop computer.
Can’t paste into File Explorer
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UWP or Universal Windows Platform is a Windows application programming interface that was developed by Microsoft to bring all its apps on the same platform. The benefit of creating a unified API is that all apps can be used across all Microsoft devices.
This means an app running on Windows 10 will also be compatible with Windows 10 Mobile, Xbox, HoloLens, Surface devices, and other IoT devices. Thus, eliminating the need for re-writing code in a different programming language for each device.
Microsoft has been using UWP to develop various applications. One of the developed applications but not released is the new File Explorer, used to access files and folders stored on the hard drive.
The current file explorer that we use today on Windows 10 was developed almost 20 years ago, and since then has not been changed. And there is no official confirmation as to when the new file explorer would be officially released but Windows is planning something.
You can take a glimpse of what is cooking. Here’s how it looks like:
The All-New Windows File Explorer
The new Interface, as you can see looks fantastic and is designed for better identification of our files and folders with the ease of carrying out the basic tasks like cut, copy, paste and creating new folders. As the File Explorer is still in the development stage, the options provided on the toolbar are not labeled and it also doesn’t bring up a small text label when the mouse cursor hovers. Look at the image below for a guide on the buttons of the new File Explorer in Windows 10.
Select button reveals the edit options.
The properties option can be visible by clicking the three vertical dots and displays the properties in a new interface.
Steps to access (access only, not activate) the New File Explorer in Windows 10
Well if you liked the above screenshots and wish to try out the new file explorer in Windows 10 then follow the following steps:
Step 1. Open any window of the current Windows Explorer.
Step 2. In the address bar on the top, type the following command and press enter.
shell:AppsFolderc5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515_cw5n1h2txyewy!App
Step 3. The new file explorer will load, and you can try it out by yourself.
NOTE: The New file Explorer cannot be activated permanently as it is still in the testing phase. Once you close the window by clicking the X on the top-right corner, it will close and to reload it you will need to follow the steps mentioned above.
Create a shortcut to load the new File Explorer
If you really liked the new File Explorer and want to continue using it as an everyday part of your life, instead of typing in the complex code every day, you can create a shortcut and access it just by double-clicking the shortcut icon. For this follow the steps below:
Step 1. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop and hover the mouse cursor on ‘NEW’. The menu will expand. Choose ‘Shortcut’ from the list of options.
Step 2. In the Create Shortcut window, copy and paste the command mentioned below and then click on next.
explorer shell: AppsFolderc5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515_cw5n1h2txyewy!App
Step 3. Rename the shortcut as you wish and click OK.
The shortcut will be placed on your desktop and is ready to use.
Alternatively, once you open the new File Explorer, you can right-click on its icon in the taskbar and pin it to your taskbar.
How to Enable Dark Mode in Windows 10
The new File Explorer looks even better in the Windows 10 dark mode. After you have created the shortcut or pinned it to the taskbar for quick file access, enable the dark mode in Windows 10 and check the New File Explorer. To enable the Dark Mode in Windows 10, follow the following steps:
Step 1. Press the Windows icon with the letter I on your keyboard. The settings window will open. Click on Personalization.
Step 2. Click on ‘Colors’ from the menu on the left side.
Step 3. Under the label ‘Choose your Color’, select dark from the drop-down menu. The Windows colors will change from the traditional white to a new black theme.
Step 4. Open the new File Explorer and see the difference for yourself.
The New File Explorer consists of all the features of the old Windows Explorer like:
- Drag and Drop files.
- Right-Click menu with better functionality.
- The Cut, Copy and Paste features for files and folders.
- New enhanced and better-looking buttons.
- Set any image as a background with just a click
The New File Explorer has generated mix response from the public on Microsoft’s forums. While some think of the New File Explorer as a simple graphic user interface change, others have praised it in terms of ease of use. It always takes time for people to adjust with anything new and so is going to be the case with this New File Explorer. Personally, I feel that it is a great change and am confident that Microsoft will add more features to it before rolling out the final version. Do let me know your thoughts on the same and if you face any issues while accessing the New File Explorer in the comments section below.
Also Read: Windows 10 latest update enables you to take your Android smartphone calls on your computer.
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Dheeraj Manghnani is a tech writer who writes about anything that has tech into it. He has written over a 1000 blogs on tech news, product comparisons, error solving and product reviews.
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Although a lot of things have been changing on Windows 10, users continue to browse and manage content on their PCs using File Explorer the same way they have for more than a decade.
In part, that’s because File Explorer is one of those features that Microsoft has been cautious not to change drastically to preserve a familiar navigation experience and avoid making users relearn how to move around the OS.
However, starting with the Creators update, Windows 10 includes a new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app for File Explorer, which is identical to the version found in Windows 10 Mobile. It’s not a full-featured experience like the classic File Explorer, but it includes most of the basic functionalities for browsing and managing files and folders.
This hidden gem was discovered by Google+ user Pravin Vibhute and then spotted by OnMSFT. You can give it a try with a simple workaround.
In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to access the hidden touch-friendly version of File Explorer on your PC.
How to enable the touch-friendly version of File Explorer
If you’re running the Windows 10 Creators Update (version 1703), you can use these steps to use the new version of File Explorer:
- Right-click the desktop, select new, and then click Shortcut.
- Copy and paste the following command, and then paste it in the shortcut wizard:
explorer shell:AppsFolderc5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515_cw5n1h2txyewy!App - Click Next.
- Type a name for the shortcut (for example, Explorer UWP).
- Click Finish.
Once you complete the steps, simply double-click the shortcut to launch the touch-friendly version of File Explorer. It will even change colors when switching your system to the dark theme.
While it might seem limited compared to the classic desktop version, this new app includes most of the basic functionality you need. For example, on the touch-optimized version of File Explorer, you can:
- Browse any drive connected to your computer.
- Sort content by name, date, and size.
- Change views (list and tile).
- Search files and folders.
- Create new folders.
- Copy, move, delete, and share files and folders.
- Rename files and folders.
- See files and folders properties and ownership.
Wrapping things up
While the new touch-friendly version of the File Explorer app works, for the most part, it lacks a lot of features included with the classic version, and because it’s not an «official» product, you may come across bugs and other errors.
And by using these steps, you’re not replacing the old File Explorer. The shortcut you create is to interact with a completely different experience, and they can both run at the same time.
More Windows 10 resources
For more help articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
- Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
- Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
- Windows 10 forums on Windows Central
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Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he’s a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.