Studies show that the average computer user wastes a valuable amount of time each day simply by using antiquated methods for doing everyday tasks. Your operating system, in this case Windows 10 or 11, offers a wide range of tools that you can use to your advantage and streamline many of the things you do every day. Windows File Explorer was designed to increase productivity, and once you learn a few tricks on how to make it all work faster – and to your advantage – you will be able to reduce the amount of time spent with just a few shortcuts.
Faster Windows File Explorer Start Tips
Most people will typically launch File Explorer using the Start Menu. However, there are a couple of different ways that this can be done. Some will allow you to get started even faster than going through that most-used method. One of the best ways to do it is to use your keyboard and click the Windows key plus the letter E. You can also avoid having to open Windows File Explorer all together by pinning it to your taskbar for quick and easy access.
If you are using Windows 11, you’ll be able to use a much-wanted feature in File Explorer, the ability to use multiple tabs. It works just like in a browser, just select the “+” or plus icon in the top bar and you can open up a new tab. You can also right-click on a folder that you want to browse and select the option “open in new tab” from the menu. Ctrl+T will also open a new tab, so whichever method is more comfortable for you will expedite the process. If you are still using Windows 10, there are workarounds to get you access to tabs, such as a downloaded third-party app.
Can I Use Quick Access Options in File Explorer?
You can increase productivity even further within your Windows operating system by adding the features and options that you use frequently to your File Explorer experience. Control Panel and Recycle Bin are not automatically in the File Explorer, but you can reveal them in there by using the “show all folders” option from the menu. Simply right-click within any blank space in the sidebar and you can activate that feature from the menu.
The Preview Pane is another option that allows you to quickly access and view files within Windows File Explorer. While this works differently depending on if you are using Windows 10 or 11, it can be accessed within both. Preview Pane is available in the top toolbar by clicking “view” in Windows 11, and then selecting the options of show > Preview Pane from the dropdown menu. This will give you a preview in the right sidebar whenever you select a file.
For those still using Windows 10, the Preview Pane is accessed by opening File Explorer and using the top menu bar to click the “view” tab and locating “Preview Pane” in the upper-left section of the toolbar. You can find “view” next to “file,” “home,” and “share,” just under the top file-save section in Explorer. A lot of people miss these tabs and they are filled with lots of great shortcuts. Simply clicking on “Preview Pane” in this menu will now activate it within the program and you can get a preview of the documents and files you want to view on the right side of the open window.
What’s the Best Way to Clear the File Search History?
Depending on the type of work that you do, you may want to get in the habit of clearing searches on a daily basis. This option can also be useful if you are getting too many suggestions in search for things that are not relevant. You can do this on a case-by-case basis for singular search terms by right-clicking on a term and selecting the option “remove from device history.” You can also clear the entire search history and start from scratch by clicking on the three-dot icon in the very top toolbar of Windows File Explorer and select “options” and then click on “clear” next to where it says “clear File Explorer history.” This can also be done in Windows 10, but you need to use a different method. Once again, you will be able to clear out specific terms and phrases from your search history, as well as clear out the entire search history, depending on your goals.
Quick Access is another area that can easily become cluttered during heavy use. Having the ability to pin specific items into the Quick Access area can be a benefit, but every now and again you might want to go through it to add or remove folders from this space. If you are new to the Quick Access area, you can find it in the left sidebar of Windows File Explorer. There are a few most-used folders in there already by default, but you can customize this area to suit your needs. Only one move needs to happen to add or remove, simply right-click on one of the folders and click on “pin to Quick Access” or “unpin to Quick Access” – it really is that easy!
Can I Access Google Drive in File Explorer?
There are two unique methods that you can use to expand your abilities within Windows File Explorer. One is to change the way that files open so you can access them in the way that you want and the other is to allow access to files stored in your Google Drive. Creating a shortcut to Google Drive can be achieved directly inside File Explorer. You will actually be creating a brand new “drive” labeled “G” for Google. This allows you to quickly access any files that you have stored in the cloud without having to open up a browser separately from File Explorer.
- Step One – Use the free Google Drive app to integrate your cloud files within your PC
- Step Two – Launch a browser window and open the Google Drive download page
- Step Three – Click on “download Drive for Desktop” to download the app to your PC
- Step Four – Double-click the downloaded file to run the installer program
- Step Five – Under “user account control” make sure to choose “yes” to open the installation wizard; go through all the steps to Install Google Drive and then choose to add shortcuts to your desktop
- Step Six – When the “sign in to Google Drive” window pops up, choose “sign in with browser” and then enable the permission to allow the new app to access your Drive files, then click “sign in” to finish the process
- Step Seven – Close the browser window and then open Windows File Explorer
You should now see a new item in the sidebar labeled “Google Drive” that can be used to access your cloud files within the File Explorer manager program. Sync settings can be adjusted according to your unique needs, including manual downloading files from the cloud to your PC or an automatic backup storage that will do this for you without requiring you to select each folder or file one at a time. You can expedite access to all folders and files by choosing the Quick Access option from the default “open to Home” to “open to This PC” in the General menu under Folder Options. Then you have the choice of opening each folder within the same window or opening a new window for each folder. Make sure to click “Apply” after making your selections so it will implement the change.
Protect Your Essential Data with Managed Services
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Rather than investing in a complete IT Department, which can be costly in wages, benefits, recruiting, and equipment, we can create a custom monitoring and management plan that will help you to achieve your goals. Employee education, training, and ongoing support can also be instrumental in protecting your valuable data to ensure the continued success and longevity of your organization. Give us a call at 617-517-0704 to speak with one of our highly trained and experienced technicians about your needs. We offer innovative technology solutions designed to help you bring your business into the future.