Source: This post was first published on https://techgrabo.com/get-help-with-file-explorer-in-windows-10/
If you want to Get help with File Explorer in Windows 10 and customize file explorer in Windows 10, then you are at the right place.
For those of you who are getting confused with the name "File Explorer ", I will clear your confusion right away.
The File Explorer in Windows 10 is the new version of Windows Explorer that used to be in the previous Windows Versions. It's a Windows Explorer update. So now whenever you hear File Explorer, its the same thing as Windows Explorer but will lot of different useful features.
In the past, we were using Windows Explorer with Windows Operating Systems. But from Windows 8 OS, that Windows Explorer got a new name and some beneficial features that I will cover in just a second, Read on...
Getting help with File Explorer in Windows 10 is a piece of cake. The new File Explorer provides lots of different ways by which you can get help easily and quickly.
In this guide, we will cover the new features that are integrated into Windows 10 File Explorer and how to use them effectively. We will also solve some common issues faced by users when using Windows 10 File Explorer.
First thing first, let's make a checklist of what we are going to learn from this guide.
☑ We will first compare the traditional Windows Explorer with the all-new File Explorer
☑ Learn how to get help with File Explorer in Windows 10 by customization.
☑ Then we will learn some Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 10 File Explorer
☑ Windows 10 issues and fixes: Windows 10 File Explorer not responding issue
So are you ready to learn how to get help with File Explorer in Windows 10? I guess yes. Let's start...
What Is File Explorer In Windows 10
In short, the File Explorer is a File Management feature of Windows 10. It is used to browse files and folders on your computer.
File Explorer as the Graphic User Interface (GUI) helps the user to perform various operations within the computer system without any technicality. Anyone with zero technical knowledge can easily browse through the computer using the Windows 10 file management system.
Now let's see what changes made on the new File Explorer Vs. Windows Explorer is.
1.Traditional Windows Explorer Vs. Windows 10 File Explorer
↪ When we open Windows Explorer on our Windows 7 or older operating systems it opens with system drives BUT in Windows File Explorer it defaults to "Quick Access" which is a good thing as you can configure "Quick Access" window with the folders that you constantly use, no matter where they are in the drives.
↪ The Favorite menu on the left in Windows Explorer is changed with the "Quick Access" menu.
↪ File explorer got a flat lite look as compared to the traditional Windows Explorer.
↪ OneDrive (a cloud storage application) is added to the left pane in Windows 10 File Explorer that is not there in Windows 7 or older versions.
↪ "Home", "Share", "View" menus are smartly integrated on the top with a lot more options to choose from, which is not present in the Windows Explorer.
↪ If you want Windows to take you to "My Pc" and not to "Quick Access" when you open File Explorer, you can change easily change it. Just follow the instructions below.
Disable Quick Access in File Explorer on Windows 10
- FILE > FOLDER OPTIONS >GENERAL
- Change Open File Explorer to: This PC
There are many other Pros in File Explorer in Windows 10, but I kept it short to introduce you to it.
Now let's go to the next point where we will learn about How to get help with File Explorer in Windows 10 by customizing it.
2.Windows 10 File Explorer Customization
How do I customize QUICK ACCESS?
Windows 10 File Explorer Customization is very easy to do, let's see how to customize Quick Access.
We all have folders that we access many times throughout our time on our computer/laptop.
"Quick Access" feature makes it easy for you to add any number of the folder from any location on your drives to the "Quick Access" window, you can also remove the folders that you don't want to be shown on the "Quick Access" window by just a mouse click.
To pin any folder to your "Quick Access" window just right click on the folder and click "Pin to Quick Access" or to remove already pinned folders just right click and then click "Unpin from Quick Access". See below screen snap:
If you want to disable quick access Windows 10 you need to go to:
File > Change Folder And Search Option > Under the general tab > Privacy > And uncheck the 2 options there and then click ok.
P.S. If there is a Bluetooth device connected to your windows 10 then it will also show up in the File manager.
How does OneDrive work in Windows 10?:
OneDrive Windows 10 is a cloud storage application where you can store your important files and folders directly from your computer and then can access it anywhere in the world.
If you heard about Google Drive, then OneDrive is the same thing. To use free cloud storage application, you need to sign up for a Microsoft account.
Once you are signed up, you can use your OneDrive as you like or can directly sign in if you already have one.
Note: You will get only 5GB free cloud storage from One Drive and if you want to upgrade there are options to do so.
Navigation Pane:
You can also customize your navigation pane from the VIEW tab on the top.
As can be seen, on the above screenshot you can use other options to customize as per your need. You can also press the F1 key on your keyboard to get help with File Explorer or any separate Window that you are on.
When you press the F1 key, a new window will open with Bing search engine that will show websites results that are helpful in solving your doubts and queries.
So you see that its very easy to Get help with File Explorer in Windows 10.
Show/Hide Hidden Items Setting:
The new Windows 10 File Explorer has highlighted some frequently used settings in its VIEW tab. One of the heavily used settings is Hidden Items setting.
Now, to show or hide Hidden Files, you do not have to go deep in the Folder Options. You can now quickly show or hide hidden items on your Windows 10 system with just a click.
To do this navigate to File Explorer >> View Tab >> Check/Uncheck Hidden Items
3. Get help with File Explorer in Windows 10 by using keyboard shortcuts
Windowskey+E: open File Explorer Windows 10
Alt+P: show or hide the Preview pane.
Alt+Shift+P: show or hide the Details pane.
Alt+left arrow key: go back one folder in your history.
Alt+up arrow key: go up one folder in the folder tree.
Ctrl+N: open a new File Explorer window.
Ctrl+E: activate the Search bar.
Ctrl+Shift+N: create a new folder in the current folder.
Ctrl+mouse wheel up or mouse wheel down: increase or decrease the size of icons and thumbnails.
4. Windows 10 Issues And Fixes:
File explorer not responding Windows 10
If you are facing Windows 10 File Explorer problem like it goes to "File Explorer Not Responding" mode or you see "Windows has stopped working" or Windows 10 File Explorer not responding on right click then I have a solution for you that you can try.
I faced the similar Windows File Explorer not responding issue a week ago when I was using Windows 10 File Explorer.
My Windows 10 File Explorer crashes repeatedly, and after lots of research I came up with the solution that worked for me like a charm.
You can also try this Windows 10 File Explorer fix to solve your problem. In my case, there was an old software on my computer that was causing the issue.
Below are the steps by step instructions on how to troubleshoot the "Not Responding" issue.
Step 1. Download & Install CCleaner software (Free), this tool will clean up Windows 10
Step 2. Now launch it and click on the TOOLS option
Step 3. Now go to STARTUP and disable all software that shows up.
Now once you did that, start the software one by one and see if Windows 10 File Explorer is crashing or not.
If after enabling a software File Explorer goes in "Not Responding" or crashes that means that particular software is having the issue.
Just uninstall that software if it's not essential to you or try downloading the free copy of that software and install again.
In case, the above solution does not work for you then install Microsoft Fix It for Windows 10 and run it on your computer.
5. Windows Navigation Pane Missing
When you go to File Explorer in Windows 10, and you noticed that there is no navigation pane on the left side of the screen, then do not worry.
Just click on the "VIEW" tab that is located at the top of the File Explorer and then click on Navigation pane as shown below.
Now you will be able to see Navigation pane in File Explorer.
6. Windows 10 Search Bar Not Working
If the search box not working in Windows 10 File Explorer, then there is a setting in File Explorer in Windows 10 that can be done to make the search function.
The main reason Windows search not working is that option is not enabled. Just follow the below path to enable search in Windows 10 File Explorer.
Go to File on the top left >> Click Change Folder and Search Options >> Click the Search Tab >> Check the box Don't use the index when searching in file folders for system files(searches might take longer) >> Apply >> Ok.
Now Windows 10 Search bar should work.
7. Windows 10 File Explorer Hangs When Right Clicks?
Many of you may be facing the issue of File Explorer crashing after right-clicking on it. To solve this issue with the Windows 10 File Explorer follow the below steps:
- Press windows key + X key together on your keyboard. This action will open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
- Type "netsh" in the Command Prompt window and hit on Enter button.
- Now type "winsock reset" and hit on Enter button on your keyboard.
The command execution will complete n few seconds.
Once its completed, restart your computer.
Issue Fixed!
Final Words:
I hope in this tutorial How to Get help with File Explorer in Windows 10 I have covered almost all the things that you need to get started. And your problem with the Windows File Explorer in Windows 10 is FIXED.
If there is something that you didn't understand, please comment below, and I promise to reply you ASAP
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