How to Open File Explorer to This PC on Windows 10

Want to make File Explorer open This PC page instead of the Quick Access page? Here is how you can do it on Windows 10 in simple steps.

There is no other tool in Windows that is as useful or utility-driven as File Explorer. After all, File Explorer is the application you have to use to save, access, and modify files and folders. As such, almost every Windows user opens and interacts with File Explorer multiple times a day.

Considering how often you use File Explorer, it pays to configure it to match your daily needs. For example, you should enable file extensions, set default thumbnail view, pin frequently used folders, know the File Explorer shortcuts, etc. One such thing you should configure is the default page that appears when you open the File Explorer. By default, File Explorer shows the “Quick Access” page when you open it. As the name suggests, the Quick Access page host all your recently and frequently opened files and folders. Though helpful, it might not be for everyone. This is especially true if you have disabled quick access in File Explorer.

As an alternative, you can set This PC as the default page. That way, File Explorer opens to This PC page. Since ‘This PC’ contains all your drives front and center, navigation is a bit easier. Personally, setting “This PC” as default in the File Explorer is one of the first things I do after installing Windows 10.

This straightforward guide lets me show you a simple way to make File Explorer open to This PC on Windows 10.

Open File Explorer to This PC

To make File Explorer open to This PC, you have to select a single checkbox. It is that simple. Here are the steps you should follow.

1. Open the File Explorer.
2. Click on the “View” tab.
3. Click on the “Options” button.
4. Go to the “General” tab.
5. Select “This PC” from the “Open File Explorer to” dropdown menu.
6. Click the “Apply” and “Ok” buttons.
7. With that, the File Explorer opens to This PC.

First, open the File Explorer with the “Windows key + E” keyboard shortcut. You can do the same thing by click on the File Explorer icon on the taskbar. In the File Explorer, click on the “View” tab and then click on the “Options” button.

Now, select the “General” tab and then select “This PC” from the “Open File Explorer to” dropdown menu. After that, click the “Apply” and “Ok” buttons.

That is it. The File Explorer will open to This PC page instead of the Quick Access page from now on.

Use Registry Editor to Open File Explorer to This PC

If the File Explorer option is not working or looking for an alternate method, you can use the Registry Editor to make File Explorer open to This PC. All you have to modify a DWORD value. Here is how.

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Search and open ”Registry Editor.”
3. Paste the “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced” address bar and press Enter.
4. Double-click on the “LaunchTo” value.
5. Set the Value Data to “1”
6. Click “Ok.”
7. Close the registry editor.
8. Restart Windows 10.

After restarting, the File Explorer should automatically open to This PC.

That is all. I hope that helps.

If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.

Did you know that you can add My Computer or This PC icon to the desktop?