How to Add File Explorer to Taskbar Windows 11
Windows 11 has brought a fresh new look and feel to the Windows operating system, with a sleek and modern design. However, some users may find that the File Explorer icon is missing from the taskbar by default. If you’re one of those users and would like to add the File Explorer to the taskbar in Windows 11, this article will guide you through the process.
Step 1: Right-click on the Taskbar
To begin, right-click on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. This will open a context menu with various options.
Step 2: Select ‘Taskbar Settings’
In the context menu, find and click on ‘Taskbar settings’. This will open the Taskbar settings page in the Windows Settings app.
Step 3: Go to ‘Taskbar items’
In the Taskbar settings page, scroll down until you find the ‘Taskbar items’ section. Click on it to expand the options.
Step 4: Turn on ‘File Explorer’
Within the ‘Taskbar items’ section, you will see a list of applications and features that can be added to the taskbar. Locate ‘File Explorer’ and make sure the toggle switch next to it is turned on. If it’s already on, you can skip to the next step.
Step 5: Customize File Explorer settings (optional)
If you want to customize the File Explorer settings further, click on ‘File Explorer’ to expand the options. Here, you can choose whether to show the File Explorer icon on the taskbar, and whether to use the new Windows 11 context menu when right-clicking on the icon.
Step 6: Restart Windows Explorer
After making the necessary changes, close the Taskbar settings page. To apply the changes, you will need to restart Windows Explorer. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + R, typing ‘taskmgr’ in the Run dialog, and pressing Enter. In the Task Manager, go to the ‘Processes’ tab, find ‘Windows Explorer’ in the list, right-click on it, and select ‘Restart’.
Step 7: Verify the changes
Once Windows Explorer has restarted, go back to the taskbar and you should now see the File Explorer icon. Click on it to open the File Explorer window and start navigating your files and folders.
Adding the File Explorer to the taskbar in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps. By following the instructions in this article, you can easily customize your taskbar to suit your preferences and have quick access to the File Explorer whenever you need it.
