File Explorer with classic ribbon menu

How to enable classic File Explorer on Windows 11

Yes, you can bring back the classic ribbon menu to File Explorer, and here's how on Windows 11.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
Pureinfotech Logo
  • To enable the classic File Explorer, open the “Windows Tools” from the Start menu and navigate to “This PC.”
  • You can also use the ExplorerPatcher tool by enabling the “Use classic drive groupings in this PC” option and choosing the “Windows 10 Ribbon” option from the “Control Interface” setting in the “File Explorer” page.

On Windows 11, you can still enable the classic version of File Explore with the legacy ribbon menu, and in this guide, I will teach you two ways to complete this configuration.

Although the new version of File Explorer matches the new design style of Windows 11 that ditches the classic ribbon menu for a simpler menu with fewer commands, it’s not an app everyone likes. If you prefer the classic ribbon menu experience, it is still possible to bring it back since the legacy app is still buried in the operating system.

In this guide, I’ll teach you how to bring back the classic ribbon for File Explorer on Windows 11.

Warning: Using third-party tools that make system changes can cause problems. Although the ExplorePatcher is a popular tool and has been around for some time, use it at your own risk. You have been warned. It’s also assumed you know what you’re doing and have previously created a full backup of your computer.

Enable classic File Explorer on Windows 11 without tools

To enable the classic File Explorer on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Click on All apps from the top-right.

  3. Click on Windows Tools.

  4. Click on This PC from the left pane.

    Windows Tools enable classic File Explorer

Once you complete the steps, you will have access to the classic File Explorer without changing any system settings.

Since using this method won’t replace the new version of the file manager, the only way to access the legacy version of File Explorer is by opening Windows Tools. One thing you can do is to pin the Windows Tools to the Taskbar for faster access to the app. You can perform this task by right-clicking the Windows Tools item from the Start menu and choosing the “Pin to Taskbar” or “Pint to Start” option.

Enable classic File Explorer on Windows 11 using ExplorerPatcher

To bring back the legacy version of File Explorer on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open ExplorerPatcher GitHub page.

  2. Click the ep_setup.exe file to download the tool.

    ExplorerPatcher download

    Quick note: Since this application modifies the behavior of the operating system, the web browser may try to block the download.

  3. Double-click the ep_setup.exe file to install the ExplorerPatcher.

    Quick note: When installing the app, it may change the Taskbar behavior. If you want to keep the Windows 11 design, change the “Taskbar style” back to “Windows 11” from the Taskbar settings and click the “Restart File Explorer” option.

  4. Click on File Explorer.

  5. Click to enable the “Disable the Windows 11 context menu” option.

  6. Click to enable the “Use classic drive groupings in this PC” option.

  7. Choose the “Windows 10 Ribbon” option from the “Control Interface” setting.

    ExplorerPatcher enable classic File Explorer

  8. Click to enable the “Use immersive menus when displaying Windows 10 context menus” option.

  9. Click to enable the “Disable modern search bar” option.

  10. Click the “Restart File Explorer” option.

After you complete the steps, the next time you open File Explorer, you will have access to the legacy version of the app.

If you want to revert the changes, remove the app from Settings > Apps > Installed apps and click the “Uninstall” option from the app’s menu.

Enable classic File Explorer ribbon menu on Windows 11 (deprecated)

In previous builds of Windows 11, you were able to modify the Registry to enable the classic File Explorer, but it no longer works.

To enable the classic ribbon menu back in File Explorer, use these steps:

  1. Open Start on Windows 11.

  2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.

  3. Browse to the following path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked

    Blocked regedit

  4. Right-click the Blocked key, select the New submenu, and choose the String Value option.

  5. Use this name for the key: {e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7} to enable the ribbon menu in File Explorer and press Enter.

    Enable ribbon menu in File Explorer

  6. Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, the next time your computer restarts, File Explorer should now have the classic ribbon menu enabled once again.

If you want the new menu again, you can revert the changes with the steps outlined above, but on step No. 3, make sure to right-click and delete the “String Value” {e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}.

Update February 1, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].