The fastest way to open File Explorer

On Windows, press Windows key + E together. That is the quickest route — File Explorer opens in about one second. If you do not have a Windows key on your keyboard, or if that combination does not work, you can also click the folder icon on your taskbar at the bottom of your screen. It usually sits near the Start button.

On Mac, press Command + Space to open Spotlight search, type "Finder", and press Enter. Or click the Finder icon in your dock — it looks like a blue and white face and usually sits at the far left of the dock at the bottom of your screen. Finder is Mac's version of File Explorer.

Once File Explorer or Finder opens, you see your files and folders organized by location. The left sidebar shows common places like Documents, Downloads, and Desktop. Click any folder to see what is inside it.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows: Press Windows key + E, or click the folder icon on your taskbar.
  • Mac: Press Command + Space, type "Finder", or click the Finder icon in your dock.
  • File Explorer and Finder both show you where your files live on your computer.
  • The left sidebar lists common locations like Documents and Downloads so you do not have to dig through every folder.

Opening File Explorer from the Start menu

If the keyboard shortcut does not work or you prefer using your mouse, you can open File Explorer through the Start menu. Click the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of your screen. Type "File Explorer" into the search box that appears.

Windows will show "File Explorer" at the top of the search results. Click it, and File Explorer opens. This method takes a few more seconds than the keyboard shortcut, but it works the same way.

Pinning File Explorer to your taskbar

If you use File Explorer often, you can make it even faster to open by pinning it to your taskbar. Open File Explorer using any method above. Right-click the File Explorer icon on your taskbar and select "Pin to taskbar". Now the icon stays there permanently, and you can click it anytime without searching.

On Mac, you can do the same thing with Finder. Right-click (or Control-click) the Finder icon in your dock and select "Keep in Dock" if it is not already there. Finder is usually pinned by default.

What you see when File Explorer opens

When File Explorer first opens, you land in a default location — usually "This PC" on Windows or the home folder on Mac. From here, you see your hard drive and any external drives connected to your computer. The left sidebar shows shortcuts to places you use often: Documents, Downloads, Desktop, Pictures, and Music.

Click any folder in the sidebar to jump straight to it. Click any folder in the main area to open it and see what is inside. You can keep clicking folders to go deeper into your file structure. The address bar at the top shows your current location — for example, "C:\Users\YourName\Documents" on Windows or "/Users/YourName/Documents" on Mac.

Using the address bar to navigate

The address bar shows exactly where you are in your file system. On Windows, it sits at the top and shows a path like "C:\Users\YourName\Documents". On Mac, it shows a similar path. You can click on any folder name in that path to jump back to it without clicking through multiple folders.

You can also type a path directly into the address bar if you know where a file is located. On Windows, click in the address bar and type the full path — for example, "C:\Users\YourName\Downloads". Press Enter, and File Explorer takes you there. On Mac, press Command + Shift + G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog, type the path, and press Enter.

Opening File Explorer in a specific location

You do not always have to open File Explorer and then navigate to where you need to be. If you are already looking at a folder on your desktop or in another program, you can open File Explorer directly to that location. Right-click any folder and select "Open in File Explorer" (Windows) or "Open in Finder" (Mac).

You can also drag and drop a folder onto the File Explorer or Finder icon to open that location. On Windows, drag a folder onto the File Explorer icon on your taskbar. On Mac, drag it onto the Finder icon in your dock. The window opens showing the contents of that folder.

Troubleshooting when File Explorer will not open

If the Windows key + E shortcut does not work, your keyboard might not have a Windows key, or another program might be using that shortcut. Try clicking the Start button and typing "File Explorer" instead. If that does not work, restart your computer — sometimes a stuck process prevents File Explorer from opening.

On Mac, if Command + Space does not open Spotlight, check your keyboard settings. Go to System Preferences, click Keyboard, then Shortcuts, and look for Spotlight. Make sure it is set to Command + Space. If Finder does not appear in your dock, you can add it: open System Preferences, click Dock, and check the box next to "Show Finder in menu bar".

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between File Explorer and Finder?

File Explorer is Windows' file manager, and Finder is Mac's. They do the same job — showing you where your files live and letting you organize them — but they look different and use different keyboard shortcuts. The concepts are identical.

Can I open multiple File Explorer windows at once?

Yes. Press Windows key + E again while File Explorer is already open, and a second window opens. You can have as many windows open as you want. This is useful when you want to copy or move files between two folders — open both folders in separate windows and drag files between them.

Why does File Explorer open to "This PC" instead of my Documents folder?

That is the default setting on most Windows computers. You can change it. Open File Explorer, click the three dots menu in the top right, select Options, and under "Open File Explorer to", choose "This PC" or "Quick Access" depending on where you want to start. Click explore and OK.

Is there a way to open File Explorer without using the keyboard?

Yes. Click the Start button, type "File Explorer", and click it in the results. Or look for the folder icon on your taskbar and click it. Both methods use only your mouse.

Can I open File Explorer from inside another program?

Yes. Many programs have a "Browse" or "Open File" button that opens File Explorer or Finder directly. You can also right-click a folder on your desktop and select "Open in File Explorer" or "Open in Finder" to jump straight to that location.