How to Enable Classic File Explorer in Windows 11 with Ribbon

Microsoft changed the Windows interface and some users like such things. One example is the new File Explorer in Windows 11, which replaced the ribbon with a new command bar.

File Explorer is a user interface that allows users to browse and access files and directories on their computers. In Windows 10, File Explorer displays a ribbon that has buttons and instructions for most basic activities such as copying and moving files and folders, renaming files, creating folders, compressing folders, sending files via email, and changing the way Windows displays your files and folders.

Whereas in Windows 11, File Explorer has changed the ribbon interface to a simplified command bar with a modern and neat look. Some users may not like this change and still want to use the previous File Explorer.

In this article, Bardimin will provide a guide to enabling and using Classic File Explorer.

Open Classic File Explorer with Ribbon via Shortcut

This will open File Explorer with Ribbon for a while. File Explorer with Ribbon only appears if you open it via a shortcut. For how to create a shortcut, you can follow these steps.

1. Create a new “Shortcut” on the desktop. On the desktop, right-click on an empty area and then select the “New >> Shortcut” option.

2. Then on “Type the location of the item:” type the following command and then click the Next button.

powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell. AppActivate(\"Control Panel"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell. SendKeys("'""^"lDesktop~"'")}"

3. Next, name the shortcut, for example, “File Explorer Ribbon”. Then click the Finish button.

4. You can also change the icon through the “Properties”. If everything is correct, you will see a display like this.

Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon

This method will restore File Explorer with Ribbon on all users. To do so, you can do this by changing the Registry Key.

1. Copy the following code in Notepad.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}"=""

2. Save the file with the extension “.reg”, for example, “RestoreClassicFileExplorerWithRibbon.reg”.
3. Then double-click the “RestoreClassicFileExplorerWithRibbon.reg” file to run.
4. If prompted by UAC, click the Yes button to approve.
5. Restart the computer to view the results.
6. As for restoring the Windows 11 File Explorer to its original state, use the following code

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}"=-