Restore Your File Explorer Tabs After Restart, Similar to Browser Functionality
Recently, we provided an update on the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4580, which Microsoft rolled out in the beta channel. While several enhancements have been made to the operating system, the standout improvements are found in the File Explorer application. As highlighted in the official Windows Blog, users now have the ability to make File Explorer retain opened folders after a restart, similar to the functionality offered by web browsers.
Restore Folder Windows at Logon in File Explorer
Microsoft has detailed the operation of this new File Explorer feature:
The capability to “Restore previous folder windows at logon” is already functional within File Explorer, and can be activated via the Folder Options menu.
To enable this feature, simply click the Start menu, enter “folder options,”and select File Explorer Options. From there, navigate to the View tab, locate “Restore previous folder windows at logon,” and enable the feature by checking the corresponding box.
With this new functionality, if File Explorer was active before your PC restarted, it will automatically restore all open tabs upon logging back into Windows. However, you also need to enable the “Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in” option located under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options in Windows 11.
This particular feature is currently accessible only to Windows insiders within the Beta channel. Nevertheless, as pointed out by phantomofearth on X, users can activate it by executing the command vivetool /enable /id:54572881 using ViVeTool.
Folders Open in New File Explorer Tabs
In addition, another enhancement to File Explorer is that any folder opened from outside the application will now appear in a new tab rather than a separate window:
This feature significantly aids in organizing all active instances within a single interface. However, according to the release notes, it is possible to revert to the old setting by navigating to General > Browse Folders in File Explorer Options.
Lastly, Microsoft has introduced a feature in File Explorer that allows you to snooze or disable the Start backup reminder. This reminder appears in the address bar when you haven’t backed up your Documents, Pictures, or Desktop folders. To access these options, simply right-click the Start backup icon in the address bar and make your selection.
Currently, you can utilize the ViVeTool command to access these new features, or you can choose to await their official implementation in the stable release.
What are your thoughts on the new tab restoration feature in File Explorer? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
We are changing the behavior so that when you open File Explorer folders from external sources (such as an app or the desktop), they will now launch in a new tab by default, provided you have an existing File Explorer window open. If you prefer the old method of opening in a new window, you can adjust this in File Explorer folder options under General > Browse Folders.
When the “Restore previous folder windows at logon” option is activated in File Explorer, all additional tabs that were open in each File Explorer window will also be restored. We have updated the logic for the “Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in” setting found in Settings > Accounts > Sign in options, ensuring that enabling this setting will also automatically activate the corresponding File Explorer feature.
Leave a Reply