Old File Explorer is still available in Windows 11, here's how to access it

Windows 11 brought a massive overhaul in terms of user interface, and we got a whole new Start Menu as well as a new File Explorer.

While the interface was updated, some remnants of the previous version remain, and this allows you to bring back the old File Explorer.

You can access old File Explorer without any registry tweaks

This information comes from XDA Developers, and unlike with other components, you don’t even have to modify your registry or download anything to bring back old File Explorer.

To activate it, you just need to do the following:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Select Windows Tools.
    
3. Next, select any folder from the left pane.
   
4. The window will now transform to the old File Explorer with all its features.
   

This happens because Windows Tools starts the old File Explorer for some reason, thus allowing you to use it.

This is a pretty interesting find, and since it doesn’t require modifying the registry, it won’t hurt your system in any way, so go give it a try before Microsoft removes it.

Speaking of File Explorer, the KB5037853 update finally allows you to drop files to the address bar, and it also brings other improvements.

This isn’t the only component you can restore, as you can easily swap the Windows 11 shell and restore the old Taskbar using old Windows Explorer files.