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12 File Explorer Tips to Find and Manage Files Faster

By Ammar Aslam · Updated September 29, 2026 · 3 min read
12 File Explorer Tips to Find and Manage Files Faster

File Explorer is where you spend a lot of time on Windows, opening folders, moving files and searching for documents. These tips make it faster and easier.

1. Use tabs

Windows 11 File Explorer supports tabs, just like a browser. Press Ctrl + T for a new tab and drag files between tabs.

2. Pin folders to Quick Access

Right-click any folder you use often and choose Pin to Quick access. It appears in the left sidebar under Home.

3. Show file extensions

Click View → Show → File name extensions. Seeing extensions like .pdf or .exe helps you spot dangerous files, such as "invoice.pdf.exe".

4. Show hidden files when needed

In the same menu, tick Hidden items to see hidden folders like AppData. Turn it off again when done.

5. Change the view

Use View to switch between icons, list and details. Details lets you sort by date, size or type. For photo folders, use Large icons.

  • Type *.pdf to find all PDFs in a folder.
  • Use datemodified:last week to find recent files.
  • Use size:>500MB to find large files.

7. Rename many files at once

Select several files, press F2, type a name like "Holiday" and press Enter. Windows names them Holiday (1), Holiday (2) and so on.

8. Use the preview pane

Press Alt + P to show a preview of PDFs, images and documents without opening them.

9. Copy a file's full path

Right-click a file and choose Copy as path, or press Ctrl + Shift + C. Useful for uploading files or sharing locations.

10. Compress files

Right-click files → Compress to → ZIP file. See our ZIP guide.

11. Open to "This PC"

Click the three dots → Options and change Open File Explorer to This PC to see your drives immediately.

12. Undo mistakes

Accidentally moved or deleted a file? Press Ctrl + Z right away to undo.

Shortcut: press Windows + E to open File Explorer from anywhere. More in our Windows shortcuts guide.

More power-user tricks

Open a terminal in any folder

Right-click inside a folder and choose Open in Terminal to start a command line in that location, useful for commands like dir or scripts.

Add frequently used folders to Start

Right-click a folder and choose Pin to Start for quick access from the Start menu.

Group files

In Details view, click Sort → Group by → Type or Date modified to group files into sections. This makes crowded Downloads folders much easier to scan.

Check folder sizes

Right-click a folder → Properties to see its total size. To find space hogs across a drive, use Settings → System → Storage, or a visual tool as described in our C drive cleanup guide.

Select files quickly

  • Click the first file, hold Shift and click the last to select a range.
  • Hold Ctrl to pick individual files.
  • Turn on View → Show → Item check boxes to select with a mouse or touch screen easily.

Share files nearby

Right-click a file → Share to send it with Nearby Sharing to another Windows PC, or through email and apps. Newer Windows versions can also share to Android phones through Phone Link.

A simple folder system

A tidy structure makes File Explorer tips even more useful. Try top-level folders in Documents like Work, Study, Personal, Finance and Archive. Inside each, name subfolders with dates, like 2026-09 Tax Documents, so they sort in order. Move old items to Archive once a year. Store Documents in OneDrive or back them up so your organised files are also safe.

Frequently asked questions

Why is File Explorer slow to open folders?

Folders with many images or videos generate thumbnails. Right-click the folder → Properties → Customize, and optimise it for "General items".

How do I restore the Recycle Bin on the desktop?

Settings → Personalization → Themes → Desktop icon settings.

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Ammar Aslam
Ammar writes clear, practical tech guides that help everyday users fix problems, stay safe online and get more from their devices.

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