How to Open File Explorer with Multiple Tabs in Windows 11

In 2022, Microsoft finally upgraded Windows 11’s File Explorer with tabs support. However, the app lacks many basic features, such as moving tabs out of the window, merging tabs, or launching File Explorer with multiple default tabs. While all three complaints can be addressed with the Files app, which we recently recommended for all Windows 11 users, not everyone wants to use a third-party file manager. Those who want to stick with File Explorer and have multiple tabs open at the same time can use a simple script to get around one of File Explorer’s biggest limitations.

Open File Explorer with multiple tabs at once.

Using a script to open File Explorer with multiple tabs is a little tricky, so be prepared to trade one convenience for another. You only have to use a dedicated shortcut on the desktop, which cannot be pinned to the taskbar. On the other hand, you can create several scripts to open different default tabs.

Launch Notepad and paste the following script:

Set oShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
oShell.Run("""C:\windows\explorer.exe""")
WScript.Sleep 1000
oShell.AppActivate "Explorer"
WScript.Sleep 500
oShell.SendKeys "%d"
WScript.Sleep 300
oShell.SendKeys "PATH1"
WScript.Sleep 300
oShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"
WScript.Sleep 500
oShell.SendKeys "^t"
WScript.Sleep 300
oShell.SendKeys "%d"
WScript.Sleep 300
oShell.SendKeys "PATH2"
WScript.Sleep 300
oShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"

The script is set to open File Explorer with two tabs, but you need to specify the paths before executing it. When you start File Explorer, navigate to the folder you want to open, click the address bar, and copy the path.

1. Change it. PATH1 On line 8 with the address of the first folder. Make sure you put it inside quotation marks, so it looks like this “C:\Windows\Users\Taras\Downloads”
2. Repeat the same with PATH2 On line 16.
3. If you want to add a third tab, create a new line at the end of the script and paste the following:

   WScript.Sleep 500
   oShell.SendKeys "^t"
   WScript.Sleep 300
   oShell.SendKeys "%d"
   WScript.Sleep 300
   oShell.SendKeys "PATH3"
   WScript.Sleep 300
   oShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"

4. Change it. PATH3 with a legal path to a folder.
5. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to add more tabs. Keep in mind that the more tabs you add, the longer it will take to open them.
6. Click File > Save As. And rename the file to something with a .vbs extension. For examplescript.vbs.
7. Run the script to open File Explorer with several tabs.

Tip: You can try to speed up the script by reducing WScript.Sleep values ​​(expressed in ms) if your computer has enough horsepower. Just don’t set extremely low values ​​— File Explorer isn’t the fastest tool in Windows 11’s shade, so give it some time to get used to it. Thus a very necessary task.

While the implementation is far from the fastest or easiest, it will certainly make File Explorer a bit better while we wait for Microsoft to deliver the missing features.

Source: u/f_it_is_in_a on Reddit | through