How to Open Windows Explorer

This wikiHow teaches you how to open the Explorer app on a Windows computer. On Windows 10 and 8, this app is called "File Explorer", while it is called "Windows Explorer" on Windows 7 and Vista.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Windows 10 and 8

  1. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 1
    1
    Open the Start menu
    Windows Start
    .     Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press the ⊞ Win key.
    • On Windows 8, instead hover your mouse in the upper-right corner of the screen, then click the magnifying glass icon.
  2. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 2
    2
    Type file explorer into Start. You should see a folder icon appear at the top of the Start window.
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  3. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 3
    3
    Click on
    Windows File Explorer
    File Explorer.     It's the folder-shaped icon at the top of the Start window. Doing so will open File Explorer.
  4. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 4
    4
    Consider different methods for opening File Explorer. A few different ways of opening File Explorer include the following:
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Windows 7 and Vista

  1. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 5
    1
    Open the Start menu
    Windows 7 Start
    .     Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen or press the ⊞ Win key.
  2. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 6
    2
    Type windows explorer into Start. You should see a folder icon appear at the top of the Start window.
  3. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 7
    3
    Click
    Windows 7 Explorer
    Windows Explorer.     It's the folder-shaped icon at the top of the Start window. Doing so will open the Windows Explorer app.
  4. Image titled Open Windows Explorer Step 8
    4
    Consider alternative ways of opening Windows Explorer. A few different ways are:
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I back up my files before installing a new OS?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    See How to Back Up Data.
  • Question
    Where is Windows Explorer in Windows 8.1?
    Bat 🦇
    Bat 🦇
    Top Answerer
    See How to Open File Explorer for specific instructions that apply to newer versions of Windows like 8.1.
  • Question
    What is the purpose of Windows Explorer?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The purpose of Windows Explorer is to let you view, open, copy, move, and otherwise manage your files and folders.
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About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 825,751 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 37
Updated: August 18, 2022
Views: 825,751
Categories: Windows
Article SummaryX

1. Open Start.
2. Type File Explorer (Windows 10 and 8) or Windows Explorer (Windows 7 and Vista).
3. Click the matching result.

Did this summary help you?
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