The Windows 10 File Explorer opens to Quick access by default. Quick access 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.
Set the default File Explorer start folder:
Open File Explorer to This PC or Quick access
- Start File Explorer, and click the File menu.
- Click Folder and search options
- In the Folder Options dialog that opens, select This PC from the drop-down box, and click OK.
There is also another choice (“Downloads”) you can make which Microsoft doesn’t tell you. But it requires editing the registry.
Open File Explorer to the Downloads folder by default
Here is how to set File Explorer to open the “Downloads” folder every time you press WinKey + E or click the File Explorer Taskbar shortcut.
The Folder Options setting “Open File Explorer to:” is saved in the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Value name: LaunchTo
Data: 1, 2 or 3
- 1 – File Explorer opens to “This PC”
- 2 – File Explorer opens to Quick access
- 3 – This is undocumented. If the value data is set to 3 (not configurable via Folder Options dialog), File Explorer opens to the Downloads folder.
Launch the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and go to the above key:
Set the LaunchTo value data to 3 and exit the Registry Editor.
Note that after setting the value data to 3, the drop-down box in the Folder Options dialog would appear like this.
One of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update insider preview builds included “Downloads” in the drop-down list, and Microsoft removed the option in the subsequent releases. However, the registry edit still works in version 1903 through 20H2.
Open File Explorer to Any folder of your choice
To make File Explorer start to a custom folder location other than the three options, use the registry edit and script method described in the article How to Change WinKey + E and File Explorer Shortcut Target in Windows 10
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Is there a tweak to have Explorer open with the highlighted folder at the top of the left panel list instead of near the bottom.
Latest Windows 10 registry does not have Launchto.
Yes it does.
Tried this today, works as of 2020-10-09. Thanks!