{"id":4533,"date":"2016-11-06T08:21:18","date_gmt":"2016-11-06T02:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.58.113.91\/blog\/?p=4533"},"modified":"2020-12-09T18:36:58","modified_gmt":"2020-12-09T18:36:58","slug":"open-file-explorer-downloads-folder-default-windows-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/open-file-explorer-downloads-folder-default-windows-10\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Change File Explorer Default Start Folder in Windows 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Windows 10 File Explorer opens to Quick access<\/strong> by default. Quick access<\/a> is a section where you can place shortcuts to your favorite folders. It also displays recently viewed files and frequently used folders. If you’re not a fan of the Quick access feature and want File Explorer to default to “This PC”, Downloads or any other custom folder by default, this post tells you how to do it.
\n<\/p>\n

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Set the default File Explorer start folder:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Open File Explorer to This PC or Quick access<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Open File Explorer to the Downloads folder<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Open File Explorer to Any custom folder<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

    <\/a>Open File Explorer to This PC or Quick access<\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Start File Explorer, and click the File menu.<\/li>\n
    2. Click Folder and search options<\/li>\n
    3. In the Folder Options dialog that opens, select This PC<\/strong> from the drop-down box, and click OK.
      \n\"open<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      There is also another choice (“Downloads”) you can make which Microsoft doesn’t tell you. But it requires editing the registry.<\/p>\n

      \n

      <\/a>Open File Explorer to the Downloads folder by default<\/h2>\n

      Here is how to set File Explorer to open the “Downloads” folder every time you press WinKey<\/kbd> + E<\/code> or click the File Explorer Taskbar shortcut.<\/p>\n

      The Folder Options setting “Open File Explorer to:” is saved in the following registry key:<\/p>\n

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced<\/pre>\n
      Value name:<\/strong> LaunchTo<\/p>\n
      Data:<\/strong> 1, 2 or 3<\/p>\n