How To Change Advanced File Explorer Settings in Windows 11

You can now change the advanced settings of File Explorer in Settings, such as showing or hiding file extensions, hidden files, and the full path. Here’s how.

After installing, there are a few important changes every Windows user should make to the File Explorer. They include, but are not limited to, displaying file extensions, showing the full path in the address bar, and an option to run as a different user. Generally, you’d need to use the old Folder Options tool in the File Explorer, scour through the Control Panel options, or change Registry/Group Policy settings.

Thankfully, on Windows 11, you can use the Settings app to quickly enable or disable advanced File Explorer settings. For example, do you want to display file extensions, show hidden files, or have an option to run as a different user? You can do it via the Settings app. In this quick and easy guide, I will show you how to do it in simple steps. Let’s get started.

Change Advanced File Explorer Options Using Settings in Windows 11

1. Right-click the “Start” button.
2. Select the “Settings” option.
3. Go to the “System” tab on the sidebar.
4. Click the “Advanced” option on the right panel.
5. Click the “File Explorer” option.
6. You can change the following options under the “File Explorer” section.
   1. Show file extensions
   2. Show hidden and system files
   3. Show full path in title bar
   4. Show option to run as different user in Start
   5. Show empty drives
7. After making changes, you can close the Settings window.

Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)

First, we must open the Settings app. To do that, right-click the Start button on the taskbar and select the “Settings” option. You can also press the “Windows key + I” shortcut.

Once the Settings window opens, go to the “System” tab on the sidebar. On the right panel, scroll down and click the “Advanced” option.

In the “Advanced” page, click the “File Explorer” option.

On this page, you will see all the advanced options you can change under the “File Explorer” section. As of now, you can change the following options:

1. Show file extensions: Show or hide file extensions in File Explorer.
2. Show hidden and system files: Show or hide hidden files (including hidden system files).
3. Show full path in title bar: Show or hide full folder path in the File Explorer’s address bar.
4. Show option to run as a different user in Start: Enabling this setting shows a new option called “Run as different user” when you right-click on an app in the Start menu.
5. Show empty drives: Show or hide empty drives in the File Explorer’s This PC page.

Once you have made the necessary changes, you can close the Settings window by clicking the “X” icon in the title bar.

It is that simple to use the Settings app to change advanced File Explorer options in Windows 11. If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.