Anyone know how to disable Explorer tabs in Windows 11 25H2?

How to Disable Explorer Tabs in Windows 11 25H2

Windows 11 introduced several new features to enhance user experience, including the addition of tabs in File Explorer. While this feature can be beneficial for many, some users prefer the traditional file browsing experience without the clutter of tabs. If you’re looking to disable the Explorer tabs in Windows 11 25H2, you might have noticed that some common tools, like ViveTool, no longer work as expected. Here’s a guide on how you can tackle this issue effectively.

Understanding Windows 11 File Explorer Tabs

The tabbed interface in Windows 11’s File Explorer allows users to open multiple folders in a single window, which can improve multitasking and organization. However, not everyone finds this feature useful. Some users prefer a straightforward, no-frills approach to file management, leading to a desire to disable Explorer tabs.

Current Situation with ViveTool

ViveTool was a popular utility for modifying hidden features in Windows, including disabling Explorer tabs. However, with the recent updates in Windows 11, many users have reported that it is no longer effective for this particular modification. This has led people to seek alternative methods to revert File Explorer to its classic functionality.

Alternative Methods to Disable Explorer Tabs

While there isn’t a direct setting in Windows 11 to disable tabs as of this writing, there are a couple of workaround methods you can try:

1. Registry Editor Method:

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• Navigate to the following path:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
• Look for a key named TabbedBrowsing, right-click on it, and choose Modify.
• Change the value to 0 to disable tabbed browsing. If the key doesn’t exist, you can create it by right-clicking, selecting New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and naming it TabbedBrowsing.
• Restart your computer to apply the changes.

1. Using Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise):

• Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
• Navigate to:
  User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> File Explorer
• Find the setting related to tabs (the exact naming may vary), and set it to Disabled.
• Restart your computer to see the changes take effect.

1. Feedback Hub:

• If the above methods do not work, consider providing feedback to Microsoft via the Feedback Hub app. Since these features are constantly being updated, user feedback can influence future design choices, and showing that many users favor a non-tabbed interface can help bring changes in subsequent releases.

Conclusion

While disabling tabs in File Explorer may not have a one-size-fits-all solution as of Windows 11 25H2, the methods listed above have proven effective for many users. Whether you prefer the old-school approach of separate windows or simply find tabs cumbersome, exploring these workaround solutions could help you customize your Windows experience. As the operating system continues to evolve, it’s always a good idea to stay updated on user feedback and new tools that may arise to give you greater control over these features.