How to open File Explorer on This PC instead of Quick Access on Windows 11

If you rather open This PC than Quick Access in the Windows 11 File Explorer, then this is how you do it.

Windows 11 Explorer to This PC
Windows 11 Explorer to This PC

On Windows 11, it’s possible to open the “This PC” page instead of the “Quick Access” page by changing the Folder Options settings. By default, File Explorer opens “Quick Access,” which contains your pinned folder locations and recent files. However, you can change the default settings to open the “This PC” page for quicker access to your profile folders, drives, and network locations.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to start on This PC by default when opening File Explorer on Windows 11.

Open File Explorer on This PC instead of Quick Access

To change the default start page to This PC in File Explorer, use these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer on Windows 11.

  2. Click the See more (three-dotted) drop-down menu and select Options.

    File Explorer Options

  3. Click the General tab.

  4. Use the “Open File Explorer to” drop-down menu and select the This PC option.

    Change Quick Access to This PC

  5. Click the Apply button.

  6. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the next time you open File Explorer, it will open on “This PC” instead of the Quick Access page.

About the author

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].