Here’s how to enable tabbed File Explorer in Windows 11

The day before, Microsoft released a new Windows 11 Insider build  22572 for the Dev channel. In includes a tabbed interface for File Explorer that allows you to open multiple folders in one window. This was found out by a well-known insider Rafael Rivera.

At the moment, the function is still hidden from users’ eyes, since development has not yet been completed. It’s worth noting that features that appear in builds on the Dev channel may never make it to release, although in this case Microsoft is unlikely to abandon this innovation.

We expect File Explorer’s tabbed interface to be part of the next feature update for Windows 11, which is scheduled for the second half of the year.

Enable tabs for File Explorer in Windows 11

1. Download the ViVeTool utility from this link .
2. Unpack the downloaded archive to any folder on your computer. For example, you can create a ViVeTool folder in the root of drive C and place the files there.
3. Open a command prompt as Administrator.  For that, type CMD in the Search box and select the appropriate item.
4. In the command prompt, navigate to the ViVeTool folder using the cd /d <folder path> command , then press ↵ Enter  . For example: cd /d "C:\ViVeTool".
5. Type the command vivetool addconfig 34370472 2 and press ↵ Enter .
   • For PowerShell, the command would be: .\vivetool.exe addconfig 34370472 2.
6. Make sure that the command prompt shows the message “Successfully set feature configuration”.
7. Restart your computer.

If you want to return to the old version, then use this command:  vivetool delconfig 34370472 2.

The feature works similar to tabs in Microsoft Edge. It allows you to open multiple tabs for any folder in File Explorer. For a huge number of open tabs File Explorer will show the scroll buttons.

You can also open tabs for system sections like This PC, Quick Access, Recycle Bin, and so on. Also, you have an option to create new or close open tabs. Finally, the tab row supports the dark mode. Microsoft is yet to officially announce the tabs feature.

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