Abstract

• Not all third-party file managers have built-in settings to set them because the default file supervisor on Home windows 11.
• You can also make them your default file supervisor by operating a reg file.
• You may also use AutoHotkey to launch third-party file explorers with the Win+E shortcut.

Home windows File Explorer is nice, however it’s not everybody’s most popular file supervisor on Home windows. Should you’ve put in a third-party file supervisor, then this is how one can register it because the default file explorer on Home windows 11.

Why You Ought to Change the Default File Explorer on Home windows

The Home windows File Explorer has acquired many exciting features over time, like the flexibility to handle archive recordsdata, a number of tab help, and extra. Nonetheless, there are lots of essential options, like the flexibility to view folder sizes, which can be nonetheless lacking from File Explorer. In case your solely criticism from Home windows File Explorer is that it doesn’t present folder sizes, then you possibly can take the assistance of a third-party software known as Windhawk to handle that concern.

Nonetheless, in order for you some additional options past what the Home windows File Explorer at the moment presents, then you must set up a third-party file manager. There are many choices to select from, equivalent to OneCommander, DirectoryOpus, File Pilot, and extra. As soon as you put in one among these apps, you’ll have to set it because the default file explorer in your laptop. In any other case, Home windows will proceed to open recordsdata with its built-in File Explorer as an alternative of the third-party app you put in. Sadly, not all of those File Explorer options embrace a built-in setting to routinely set them because the default file supervisor on Home windows 11.

For example, you possibly can set OneCommander because the default File Explorer by clicking the hamburger icon within the top-left nook, navigating to Program Settings > Superior, and checking the “Register as a Default File Supervisor” field.

Nonetheless, File Pilot and lots of different third-party file managers don’t provide this selection. To set them because the default file explorer on Home windows, it is advisable to manually edit the registry. Even for apps that embrace a built-in possibility, like OneCommander, the method finally includes the identical registry modification; it’s simply completed within the background.

The right way to Change the Default File Explorer in Home windows 11

The next instruction includes modifying the registry, which comes with dangers, as a single incorrect edit could make your laptop unstable. Due to this fact, you must back up your computer and create a restore point beforehand to maintain your knowledge in case one thing goes mistaken.

To alter your default file supervisor in Home windows 11, open the Begin menu, sort the title of the third-party file explorer you put in, and choose “Open File Location.” I’ll present this utilizing File Pilot, however the course of is identical for every other app you have got put in.

Proper-click the File Pilot executable file and choose “Copy as Path.” Then, open Notepad and paste the next script. You may want to switch each situations of File Pilot location within the script with the situation of your file explorer.

        Home windows Registry Editor Model 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDriveshell]
@="open"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDriveshellopencommand]
@=""C:UserskramaAppDataLocalVoidstarFilePilotFPilot.exe" "%1" /T /O /S"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDirectoryshell]
@="open"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDirectoryshellopencommand]
@="C:UserskramaAppDataLocalVoidstarFilePilotFPilot.exe"%1" /T /O /S"
    

Subsequent, click on “File” within the top-left nook and choose “Save As.” Give the script a reputation and add .reg on the finish. Change the Save as sort to “All Information” and click on “Save.”

Navigate to the situation the place you saved the script and double-click it to run it. The third-party file explorer, File Pilot in my case, will now take care of the operations that contain opening any drive or listing.

Sooner or later, if you wish to set Home windows File Supervisor because the default file supervisor once more, it is advisable to open the Registry Editor and delete the “Open” folder within the “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDriveshell” and “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDirectoryshell” places.

Most significantly, you could delete the Open folder from each places in the event you plan to uninstall the third-party file supervisor you put in. Should you uninstall the app with out first switching again to Home windows File Explorer because the default file supervisor, Home windows shall be unable to open any folders in your laptop.

Launch the File Explorer Different With the Win+E Shortcut

There are multiple ways to open File Explorer in Home windows 11, with the quickest being the Win+E keyboard shortcut. Some apps, like OneCommander, provide a built-in possibility that redirects the Win+E shortcut to open OneCommander as an alternative of Home windows File Explorer. Sadly, many different apps, like File Pilot, don’t have this selection.

To make them open with this keyboard shortcut, you’ll want to make use of a third-party software known as AutoHotkey. First, obtain and set up the software in your laptop. Then, open Notepad and sort #e::Run, adopted by the trail of your third-party file explorer that you simply copied earlier. The command ought to look one thing like this:

        #e::Run "C:CustomerskramaAppDataNativeVoidstarFilePilotFPilot.exe"
    

Subsequent, click on the “File” button and choose “Save As.” Within the Save as sort drop-down menu, select “All Information,” and provides the file a reputation. It’s worthwhile to add .ahk on the finish of the file title, then click on “Save.”

Now, run the script file, and also you’ll have the ability to entry your file supervisor by urgent Win+E. To make sure you don’t should run the script manually each time you begin your laptop, copy the script file and paste it into the next location:

        %AppDatapercentMicrosoftWindowsBegin MenuProgramsStartup
    

---

This was how one can change the default file explorer on Home windows 11. Many customizations in Home windows depend on tweaking the registry in a technique or one other. All the time be sure that to take the right precautions to make sure nothing goes mistaken.