What opening a folder in a new tab means, and why you might want to do it

Opening a folder in a new tab means using your browser to view the contents of a folder on your computer in a separate tab, rather than replacing your current view. This keeps your original work visible and lets you switch between them without losing your place. Most browsers let you do this through your file manager — the program that shows your computer's folders and files — rather than through the browser itself.

The practical reason to do this: you might be reading instructions in one tab while you need to find a document in another, or you might want to compare two folders side by side without closing either one. It saves you from the back-and-forth of opening and closing windows.

Key Takeaways

  • Your file manager (Windows Explorer, Finder, or Files) controls whether folders open in new tabs, not your browser settings.
  • Windows and Mac have different default behaviors: Windows usually opens folders in the same window, while Mac's Finder can be set to open in tabs.
  • You can change your file manager's settings to make new-tab opening the default, so you do not have to hold a key each time.
  • Holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while double-clicking a folder forces it to open in a new tab, even if your default is set otherwise.

How to open a folder in a new tab on Windows

On Windows, your file manager is called Windows Explorer (or just "File Explorer"). By default, it opens folders in the same window, replacing what you were looking at. To open a folder in a new tab instead, hold Ctrl while you double-click the folder. This works when ready and does not require any settings changes.

If you want new tabs to be the default behavior every time you open a folder, you can change Windows Explorer's settings. Open Windows Explorer, click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right, select Options, then click the View tab. Check the box that says Open folders in a separate window — despite the wording, this setting actually makes folders open in new tabs within the same window. Click explore and then OK.

After you change this setting, double-clicking any folder will open it in a new tab without holding Ctrl. You can switch between tabs using the small tabs at the top of the window, or close any tab by clicking the X on it.

How to open a folder in a new tab on Mac

On Mac, your file manager is called Finder. Unlike Windows, Finder has a built-in preference for tab behavior. Open Finder, then click Finder in the menu bar at the top left of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions of macOS).

In the window that opens, click the General tab. Look for the option that says Open folders in tabs instead of new windows and check that box. Close the settings window. From now on, when you double-click a folder, it will open in a new tab within the same Finder window.

If you have this setting turned off and want to open a single folder in a new tab without changing your default, hold Command while you double-click the folder. This works the same way as Ctrl on Windows — it overrides your default behavior for that one action.

Opening folders in new tabs from within your browser

If you are working inside your browser and need to open a local folder (one stored on your computer, not on the internet), you cannot do this directly from the browser. You must use your file manager instead. Open your file manager separately, navigate to the folder you need, and use the steps above to open it in a new tab.

The only exception is if you have saved a folder location as a bookmark or shortcut in your browser. Some people create bookmarks that point to local folders by typing file:/// followed by the folder path. Clicking these bookmarks will open the folder in your current tab or a new tab depending on how you click (right-click and choose "open in new tab" to force a new tab). However, this is uncommon and requires you to set up the bookmark first.

What to do if new tabs are not working the way you expect

If you are holding Ctrl or Command and double-clicking but the folder still opens in the same window, your file manager's settings may override the keyboard shortcut. Check your file manager's preferences using the steps above and look for any option about how folders should open. Some versions of Windows or macOS may word these options differently, so look for language about "new window," "new tab," or "same window."

If you changed your settings and folders are still not opening in tabs, try closing and reopening your file manager completely. Sometimes the change does not take effect until you restart the program. If the problem continues, restart your computer — this clears any cached settings that might be interfering.

Using multiple tabs in your file manager effectively

Once you have folders open in multiple tabs, you can navigate between them by clicking the tab names at the top of the window. You can also use keyboard shortcuts: on Windows, press Ctrl+Tab to move to the next tab, or Ctrl+Shift+Tab to move to the previous tab. On Mac, press Control+Tab or Control+Shift+Tab to do the same thing.

Closing a tab removes that folder view but does not delete the folder itself — it only closes the window showing it. You can close individual tabs by clicking the X on them, or close all tabs at once by closing the entire file manager window. If you find yourself regularly opening the same set of folders, consider pinning them to your file manager's sidebar or favorites so you can jump to them quickly without opening multiple tabs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open multiple folders in tabs at the same time?

Yes. Open your file manager, navigate to the first folder, then hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and double-click the next folder you want to view. Repeat for as many folders as you need. Each one opens in its own tab within the same window.

Does opening folders in new tabs use more memory on my computer?

Slightly, but not enough to matter for most people. Each open tab in your file manager takes a small amount of memory, but closing the tabs frees it when ready. If you notice your computer slowing down, closing unused tabs will help more than avoiding tabs in the first place.

What if I want to open a folder in a completely new window instead of a new tab?

On Windows, right-click the folder and select Open in new window. On Mac, hold Command+Option while double-clicking the folder. This opens the folder in a separate window rather than a tab, which is useful if you want to see two folders side by side on your screen.

Do these steps work the same way on Linux?

Linux file managers vary depending on which version of Linux you use. Most common ones (like Nautilus or Dolphin) have similar tab features, but the exact steps differ. Check your file manager's menu or settings for an option about opening folders in new tabs or windows.