Quick links

• Instant access to recent files
• File preview pane
• Quick access to sidebar
• Integrate with Google Drive
• Search filters to quickly locate files
• Gallery tab to easily manage photos
• File Explorer tab functionality
• Batch rename files in seconds
• Convenient file sharing
• Keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation

As a regular Windows user, I use File Explorer frequently every day. However, there are a few features that have greatly improved my productivity. From batch renaming to search filtering, here are 10 File Explorer features I consider essential.

1 Instant access to recent files

One of the most convenient ways to view recently opened files on Windows is through File Explorer. Just by opening it, I can quickly find all my recently accessed or saved files in the Recent area.

This feature is very useful, especially when I close a document by mistake or forget where I saved the file. Whether it's a project file, an edited image, or an untagged table, I can find it in seconds with Recents .

2 Preview pane to view file contents

The preview pane of File Explorer is one of my most efficient tools. It allows me to view content without opening the file, which is great for quickly sifting through large amounts of files.

Whether browsing PDFs, checking images, or viewing text content, the Preview Pane provides an instant overview within the Explorer window. When I don't need it, I just press the Alt P shortcut to hide it.

3 Quick access to the sidebar

One of the features I use most often is the Quick Access panel on the left side of File Explorer. I pin my frequently used folders here so they jump instantly with just one click.

It also automatically updates recently opened folders so I can quickly get back to what I was working on. This panel isn't limited to folders, but also integrates Home , This PC , and Network drives to put frequently used entries at your fingertips.

4 Integrate with Google Drive

Although OneDrive is integrated into File Explorer by default, I am more accustomed to using Google Drive to store cloud files. Happily, adding Google Drive to Explorer is easy - just download the Google Drive client and follow the prompts. Likewise, Dropbox can be added in the same way.

After adding it, I can access, manage and even edit cloud files just like operating local files without having to open the browser every time, which greatly improves convenience.

5 Use search filters to find files quickly

There's no denying that even with search capabilities, locating a target among a large number of files can sometimes be a headache. To do this, I rely on search filters to narrow down what I want quickly.

Instead of blindly scrolling, I filter results by file type, modification date, size, and more. For example, entering size:>200MB can quickly find all files larger than 200MB on a certain disk, while datemodified:last week can display files modified last week.

This saves me a lot of time, especially when looking for specific files. Even better, I can save these search terms so I don't have to set them up again each time.

6 Gallery tab for easy access to photos

The Gallery tab is a newer feature of File Explorer and has become an indispensable tool for me in managing my photos.

It can display pictures scattered in key folders at a glance. I also like that it supports syncing with your phone for quick access to photos on both devices. The timeline navigator on the right also allows me to easily browse through all my images by date.

7 File Explorer tabs

I'm sure many people will agree: File Explorer's tabs are one of the best improvements to Windows in recent years. Now you can open multiple folders in one window, completely saying goodbye to independent windows filling the screen with clutter.

Switching directories, dragging and dropping files, and organizing structures have become smoother. Even better, it supports browser-like shortcut keys: Ctrl T to create a new tab, Ctrl W to close the current page, and Ctrl Tab to switch tabs. For me, this not only improves efficiency but also saves desk space.

Batch rename files in 8 seconds

Renaming individual files takes no time, but when batch processing is required—such as organizing photos or document archives—efficiency is crucial.

File Explorer makes this process easy. I can select the first file, press F2 to rename it, and then use the Tab key to jump to modifications one by one, which is extremely efficient.

Another way is to select all files and press F2 , enter a new name and press Enter. The system will automatically name them in order, such as picture , picture(1) , picture(2) , etc. This feature saves me a lot of time when working with large amounts of photos or documents.

9 Convenient file sharing

The Share button on the File Explorer toolbar is often overlooked, but I use it almost every day. Whether I send it via email, transfer it to my phone using Nearby Share, or share it through apps like Teams, WhatsApp, etc., I can do it directly in the resource manager.

There is no need to manually open other applications, and multiple files can be sent at once, saving time and effort.

10 keyboard shortcuts for quick navigation

Finally, it's almost impossible for me to use File Explorer productively without keyboard shortcuts. For example, Windows E can open the Explorer immediately, Ctrl N to quickly create a new window, Alt left arrow to return to the previous level, and Alt right arrow to advance to the next directory.

These shortcut keys greatly improve the speed of operation. If you're interested, you can find a full list of File Explorer shortcuts on Microsoft's official support page.

File Explorer has been continuously optimized in recent years, and the features mentioned in this article have completely changed the way I use it. Whether it’s tabs, cloud integration, or preview panes, each brings significant efficiency gains. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend giving it a try – you won’t regret it!

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