How to disable tabs for File Explorer on Windows 11

If you don't like tabs for File Explorer, here are the steps to disable the feature on Windows 11.

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@Pureinfotech
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File Explorer with tabs disabled
File Explorer with tabs disabled
  • To disable File Explorer tabs, open ViveTool with Command Prompt as admin.
  • Run the vivetool /disable /id:37634385 command.
  • Then run the vivetool /disable /id:36354489 command.

Windows 11 22H2 has an updated version of File Explorer that brings tabs that allow you to open folders and drive locations similar to how you browse pages on the internet with your web browser. 

Although this has been a highly requested feature for many years, it’s not something every user wants to use, and unfortunately, File Explorer doesn’t include an option to disable tabs. However, if the feature isn’t for you, it’s still possible to remove the tabs using the ViveTool app created by Rafael Rivera and Lucas on GitHub, which is usually used to enable the preview of experimental features.

This guide will teach you the steps to turn off the tabs feature on Windows 11 22H2.

Disable tabs for File Explorer on Windows 11

To disable tabs in File Explorer on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open GitHub website.

  2. Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to disable the tabs feature.

  3. Double-click the zip folder to open it with File Explorer.

  4. Click the Extract all button.

    Extract ViveTool files

  5. Click the Extract button.

  6. Copy the path to the folder.

  7. Open Start.

  8. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  9. Type the following command to navigate to the ViveTool folder and press Enter:

    cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.3.1

    In the command, remember to change the path to the folder with your path.

  10. Type the following command to disable File Explorer tabs on Windows 11 and press Enter:

    vivetool /disable /id:37634385
vivetool /disable /id:36354489

  11. Restart the computer.

Once you complete the steps, File Explorer should now have tabs and the new navigation pane design on Windows 11 22H2.

If you change your mind, you can revert the changes with the same instructions but on step 10, make sure to use these commands: vivetool /enable /id:37634385 and vivetool /enable /id:36354489 and then restart the device.

It’s important to note that even though these commands continue to work, Microsoft may remove the ability to disable this and other features in future updates, which means that it’s not guaranteed that tabs will stay disabled indefinitely.

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].