WINDOWS 11 FILE EXPLORER

I have now started to use a new machine with the latest Win 11. I do not feel confident in using the latest "file explorer"
Is there a way of installing the good old fashioned verion of "FILE MANAGER" or something similar?

I understand your pain. Just started using a W11 laptop and File Explorer does not make it at all clear if you are referencing the local drive version of a directory or the version in the OneDrive cloud.

Honestly, you'd be best just learning the new file explorer. Watch a few youtube videos or whatever. It's not a good use of time trying to resist that change and go back to the past.

In reply to a post by Brunel:

Is there a way of installing the good old fashioned verion of "FILE MANAGER" or something similar?

If you can find a NT4 installation CD, you can extract WINFILE.EXE and it will run.

But I would not bother, try customising the File Explorer:
1) Turn on file extensions: View->Show->File name extensions
2) If you don't have a touch screen, turn on compact view: View -> Show-> Compact View
3) Set the default to "This PC" - click the ... button and choose Options and set "This PC" in top drop down

I turn on the "This PC" icon on the desktop, in the Themes settings, or when I press Winkey+E then "This PC" opens, so I can navigate from C: or any other drive letter.

If you haven't set up your free OneDrive allocation, do this, it stops the nags, and is a free (small) backup. I pay ofr 365 so have a lot more space.

Thanks, I take your point. As I age, finding it a bit difficult to absorb new procedures.

The trick is to not stop, or go backwards. Just keep trying to keep up. I have friends in their late 70s who have stopped learning and cannot cope with any technological change, even to a Sky TV box, and others in their 80s who have no problem at all. (I'm 51, and very much identify with the difference from my 20s !)

Edited by jchamier (Mon 04-May-26 17:25:15)

Thanks, will "attempt" some of your recomendations.

In reply to a post by Brunel:

Thanks, I take your point. As I age, finding it a bit difficult to absorb new procedures.

Tell me about it.

I have not really used Windows 11 for a while, so I am surprised when you say about using is different. Is it that different to file explorer on 10?

Yes, I find Win11 version of File Explorer totally confusing. Probably because the same files continually show, under different headings.

I am having to learn a new way of working, which is difficult.

I have been using computers since the days of Win 3

Open-Shell will restore W11 to a more sane state. You might need to play with the options to get it how you like but it should be a lot better than the default enviroment. I've been using it on W10 forever and it will probably be a life saver on W11, if I ever switch. Linux might be calling instead.