How to set Windows 11 Explorer to always open in "This PC"

El File Explorer Windows 11 It is an essential tool for any user, as it allows you to manage, organize, and access all the system's files and folders in a simple and visual way. However, it is common that, when you open it, the first screen that appears is the one called "Start" o “Quick Access”, where recently opened files and frequently used folders appear. Although this is useful for some, many prefer to directly access "This team" to view your hard drives, external drives, and home folders right out of the box.

If you want the Explorer always open in "This team" and not in the default view, you've come to the right place. Throughout this article, we'll see step by step how to configure this preference in a simple way and, in addition, we'll answer other common questions such as how to delete the Explorer home page, customize its behavior, and even what to do if you want to further refine your user experience. All of this using clear language, with detailed explanations and all the Tricks that you need to know.

Why change Explorer startup to “This PC”?

Every time you open the File Explorer in Windows 11, the system decides which view to show you. By default, Microsoft has chosen to make the home page the one "Start" o "Home", allowing you to quickly access recently opened documents and folders or the locations you use most. This approach can streamline daily work, but not everyone benefits from it.

Many users prefer to have their data in view. units of storage, system partitions and folders from the moment they launch Explorer. This makes file management easier direct, especially if you work with multiple drives, frequently copy files between hard drives, or are simply looking for a more traditional Windows experience. Changing this preference is possible and doesn't require extensive knowledge; just follow a few simple steps, which we'll explain below.

Steps to configure Explorer to open in “This PC” in Windows 11

The procedure to achieve that the Explorer always open directly into "This team" es Speed and suitable for any user. Following this method, every time you double-click on the File Explorer icon, you will go directly at a glance showing all your hard drives, USB, important partitions and folders, without going through the recent files screen. Let's get to the point!

1. Open File Explorer (you can do it by pressing Windows + E on your keyboard, or from the folder icon in the taskbar).
2. Click the button three points (located at the top right, next to the display and organization icons).
3. Choose "Options" in the drop-down menu.
4. In the window of Folder options, go to the section General admission.
5. Look for the option that says “Open File Explorer in:”. Here you will see a drop-down menu. Click and choose "This team" instead of “Home”.
6. Press on Apply and later Accept To save the changes.

After following these steps, every time you open File Explorer, you will now start directly in “This PC”This way, you'll have immediate access to all your main drives and resources, without having to go through the recent files view.

Related article:

How to open 'This PC' in Windows 11

Alternatives and other views available in Windows 11 Explorer

In addition to being able to open by default in "Start" or "This PC", Windows 11 allows, in certain cases, to select other locations such as the folder OneDrive staff (if you're logged into that service and have the integration enabled). The process is the same: simply select the desired new location from the "Folder Options" drop-down menu. This It is useful If you regularly work in the cloud and prefer to directly access your documents stored on OneDrive.

For those who want even more shortcuts, There are key combinations that allow you to quickly open File Explorer. The best known is Windows + E, but there are many more that can make your day to day life easier, such as Ctrl + Shift + N to create a new folder, or Alt + left/right arrow to navigate through history.

If you want to further optimize your browsing, you can also set up a quick connection to “This computer” using this .

How to remove the “Start” screen from Explorer (advanced option)

If you want more than just changing your home screen and are looking for completely remove the “Start” option of the Explorer, there is a possibility, although it requires modifying the Windows' register. This process is advanced and should be done with great caution., since touching the Registry can affect the stability of the entire system if a mistake is made. Always make a backup and create a restore point before making any changes..

Steps to remove “Start” from Explorer:

1. Open the Registry Editor by clicking Win + R, writes regedit and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to the route: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer
3. Right click on the “Explorer” key in the left panel, select New> DWORD value (32 bits).
4. Name that new value as HubMode.
5. Double click on it, give it a value of 1 and click OK.
6. Now go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace
7. Find the key with this name: {f874310e-b6b7-47dc-bc84-b9e6b38f5903}.
8. Right click on that key and select Delete. Confirm the action when prompted.

After making these changes, restart your computerAlthough the Start option will still appear in the Explorer settings window, it will no longer have any effect if someone tries to select it.

Remember Touching the record involves risks and is not recommended for beginner usersOnly do this if you have sufficient knowledge, and if in doubt, stick with the simple method explained above.

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.