ByThe proper functioning of File Explorer is extremely important for Windows 11 users. However, sometimes after a system restarts, the opened folders and tabs automatically close and need to be reopened. If you are facing this problem, in this guide we will tell you the best ways to restore File Explorer folders and tabs in Windows 11.
1. Enable the Auto-Restore option in Windows 11
Microsoft has provided an inbuilt feature in Windows 11 that can help you restore File Explorer tabs and windows after restarting the system. Follow the following steps to activate it:
Open the “Run” dialog box by pressing Windows + R.
Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter.
Once the Local Group Policy Editor opens, go to the path given on the left:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
Find and double-click the “Restore previous folder windows at logon” option on the right.
Set it to “Enabled” and press OK.
Restart the system and check if the issue is resolved.
2. Automatically restore folders through Windows Settings
If you cannot access the Group Policy Editor, you can activate this option through Windows Settings:
Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Go to the Accounts section.
Click on “Sign-in options” from the left.
In the “Restart apps” section, turn on the option Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in.
Restart the system and check if the folders are getting restored.
3. Use Registry Editor (Registry Editor Method)
If both the above methods are not working, you can solve this problem through Registry Editor.
Press Windows + R and type “regedit”.
Go to this path in Registry Editor:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Right-click on Advanced and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name it “PersistExplorerWindows”.
Double-click on it and set its Value data to 1.
Click OK and restart the computer.
4. Use Task Manager (Restart Windows Explorer Process)
Sometimes manually restarting the Windows Explorer process can solve this problem.
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Search for “Windows Explorer” in the Processes tab.
Select it and press the Restart button.
Now open File Explorer and check if the previous windows are getting restored or not.
5. Use Third-Party Tools
If all the above methods don’t work, you can use third-party software like Explorer++, QTTabBar, or Groupy, which help save and restore Windows Explorer tabs and windows.
Explorer++: It is a free and open-source file manager that allows saving sessions.
QTTabBar: It adds tabbed browsing to File Explorer and saves open tabs before closing them.
Groupy: It is a paid software that creates a tabbed interface by combining multiple windows.
Conclusion
Various methods like Group Policy Editor, Settings, Registry Editor, Task Manager, and third-party tools can be used to restore File Explorer folders and tabs after restarting Windows 11. If you are facing this issue in Windows 11, try the above steps and make your experience smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why do File Explorer tabs and folders close automatically in Windows 11?
This problem can be mainly caused by Windows’ auto-restore feature being disabled, a mess in registry settings, or an error in the Windows Explorer process.
2. Is there a feature built into Windows 11 that can restore folders?
Yes, Windows 11 has an inbuilt feature called “Restore previous folder windows at logon”, which can be enabled through Group Policy Editor or Windows Settings.
3. What to do if the above methods don’t work?
If none of the methods work, you can use third-party tools like Explorer++ or QTTabBar, which can automatically save and restore open folders.
4. Is it necessary to reinstall Windows to solve this problem?
No, in most cases, reinstalling Windows is not required. You can fix this issue using Registry Editor, Group Policy Editor, Task Manager, and third-party tools.
5. Does File Explorer in Windows 11 support tabbed browsing by default?
Yes, Windows 11 now has tab support, but it does not close by default. If tabs are closing automatically, try the above methods.
