File Explorer is a fundamental tool of Windows. In fact, it allows you 360-degree management of files and folders. If for any reason, the File Explorer icon in the system tray should disappear, for the less experienced, it could be a significant problem.
For this reason, I decided to write this short article in which I will explain, in a simple but detailed way, how to add the file explorer icon to the Windows 11 system tray.
If you no longer find the File Explorer icon in your system tray, don’t panic at all because it’s child’s play to restore it.
In the following paragraphs, I will show you two procedures that will allow you to Add the File Explorer icon to the Windows 11 taskbarI’ll explain later how to open file explorer alternatively in this way if it happens again that you no longer find the File Explorer icon, you will still be perfectly able to start the tool.
Now let’s move on to the practical part, so make yourself comfortable and carefully read the information in the next chapter.
File Explorer icon in the system tray
You can add the File Explorer icon to your Windows 11 system tray in two ways. The first method is as follows:
- Type in Windows search “File Explorer” (you can use the icon “Research” present in the taskbar or the search form present in the Start menu);
- As the first result, the classic File Explorer folder will be shown (the yellow and blue ones). Right-click on it;
- From the context menu that appears, click on the item “Pin to taskbar”.
An alternative method is as follows:
- Press from keyboard WIN+E (this keyboard shortcut will open File Explorer);
- Right-click the File Explorer icon that appeared in the Taskbar;
- From the open menu, click on the item “Pin to taskbar”.
Alternative procedures to open File Explorer
Now that you understand how to pin file explorer to the taskbar would like to show you some procedures that allow you to open File Explorer quickly.
We have already seen one of the methods in the previous chapter, and consists in using a keyboard shortcut, in fact pressing, WIN+E, you will be able to open File Explorer from any location.
If you find it hard to remember keyboard shortcuts, you can open File Explorer by right-clicking on the Start button and then clicking on the item “File Explorer” from the menu that opens, it can also be opened by pressing WIN+X.
As an alternative to the procedures seen above, you can open File Explorer by adding a shortcut to the Start menu. Also in this case the procedure to be carried out is very simple, Windows 11 in fact allows you to add various folders to the Start menu using the “Settings” of the system. Here’s how:
- Log in to “Settings” of Windows by pressing from the keyboard WIN + I or right-click on the Start menu and then click on the entry “Settings”;
- Click on the entry “Personalization”present in the left side menu;
- From the right screen, click on the item “Start”;
- Click on the entry “Folders”;
- Turn on the switch next to the entry “File Explorer”.
At this point, by opening the Start menu, in the lower part of the latter you will be able to see the small icon that will allow you to open File Explorer with a click.
