10 Ways to Open File Explorer: The Solution to "Where is File Explorer on My Computer?"

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

File Explorer, also called Windows Explorer, is an app that lets you quickly access your files and folders. Many how-to guides will begin with the step "Open File Explorer," without any further explanation or options for what's available on your computer. Where is File Explorer on my computer? How do I open it? Don't fret – read on for 10 ways to open File Explorer right now!

**10 Ways to Launch File Explorer:**

Method 1: Open File Explorer with a Shortcut
Method 2: Access File Explorer from the Taskbar
Method 3: Open File Explorer via the WinX Menu (Power User Menu)
Method 4: Use the Search Box
Method 5: Check the Start Menu for Running File Explorer
Method 6: Use the Run Dialog Box
Method 7: Launch Command Prompt
Method 8: Use PowerShell
Method 9: Access File Explorer from Task Manager
Method 10: Run "This PC"

Method 1: Locate File Explorer Using a Shortcut

Press the Windows logo key and E on your keyboard at the same time. This should bring up File Explorer. However, some users have reported that this keyboard shortcut isn't working for them. You can try the fixes below, or skip to Method 2.

Fix keyboard shortcuts not working by re-enabling Windows key shortcuts

Step 1: Right-click the Windows icon in the taskbar, and select "Run" from the list.

Step 2. Type gpedit.msc in the box and click OK.

Step 3: Navigate to the following path: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer > Turn off the Windows key hotkeys.

Step 4: Double-click Disable Windows key shortcuts and set it to Disabled or Not Configured.

Step 5: Click “Apply” and “OK”.

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Method 2: Find File Explorer from the Taskbar

Regardless of whether you're using Windows 10 or the latest Windows 11, the File Explorer icon will be pinned to the Taskbar by default. It's shaped like a folder. Click it to open.

Open File Explorer from the taskbar

Method 3: Open File Explorer via the WinX Menu (Power User Menu)

Windows puts some of its major utilities in the menu, giving you quick access to File Explorer, Device Manager, Task Manager, Disk Management, and more.

• For desktop users, right-click the Start icon in the lower-left corner and choose File Explorer. • For touch-screen users, go to the desktop and tap and hold the Start icon.

Method 4: Use the Search Bar

If you're not sure how to open File Explorer, you can type its name into the search box. Click the search box, then type “file explorer.” You'll see the best match appear. Click File Explorer to open it.

Locate the File Explorer from the search box

Tip: Right-click on File Explorer and choose Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start. Next time, you can get there by typing the name. See Method 5 for details.

Method 5: Launch File Explorer from the Start Menu

If you previously pinned File Explorer to the Start menu, use it now.

You can click the Windows icon in the taskbar and open File Explorer from the panel on the right.

Open File Explorer from the Start menu:

Method 6: Use the Run Box

You can also use the “Run” box to launch the target app.

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type "File Explorer" and click OK. This will open File Explorer.

Method 7: Open Command Prompt

If you're comfortable with a command-line interface, it's easy to start any app on your device.

Step 1: Open the search box, type "cmd," and then click to open it.

Step 2. Type in the command line: explorer, and press Enter.

Open File Explorer via CMD

Next, open File Explorer.

Method 8: Use PowerShell

Like the cmd prompt, you can use command-line entries in PowerShell to access apps.

Step 1. Search for PowerShell in the Windows search bar.

Step 2. Once PowerShell opens, type explorer and hit Enter.

Open File Explorer via PowerShell:

Step 3. This will open File Explorer.

Method 9: Access File Explorer from Task Manager Open File Explorer via Task Manager

Step 1. Right-click the Windows icon and select Task Manager.

Step 2: Click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner. Select "Run new task."

Step 3: The “Create New Task” window should appear. Type Explorer in the box and click OK to proceed.

Open File Explorer via Task Manager

Method 10: Run This PC

"我的电脑" is a useful program for accessing all the files, folders, and apps stored on your computer. As such, it's also a common way to launch the File Explorer to find and open items.

Step 1: Open "This PC" from the desktop.

Step 2: Click on the C drive and scroll down to find explorer.exe

Click on File Explorer from the list of applications, then click on This PC in the left panel.

Step 3. Clicking on explorer.exe will open File Explorer.

Additional Tip - Smart Disk Manager

This part aims to help you get better performance out of your computer. A reliable and professional tool like tools Partition Master, a one-stop disk management utility, can manage your disk space, clone data from HDD to SSD, and more. If you want to free up C drive space or wipe any data from the disk, this software is a good choice. Plus, if you're looking to format a USB drive, it offers an advanced formatting option. Trust us.