Other ways to open Windows File Explorer Start Menu There is a menu along the top, this allows you to change various aspects of the way you view the File Explorer’s contents. The larger area on the right displays anything contained within the item selected on the left. The area or pane on the left contains the folder tree with all the drives and their folders to allow for quick navigation to storage locations. The File Explorer contains two main work areas. Windows File Explorer is a file manager program built by Microsoft that is integrated into Windows and considered an actual component. Tip: When you hover your mouse pointer over the icons on the left, they will expand revealing their full names. Alternative methods to open Windows ExplorerĪlternative Method 1: Click (or double click) on the ‘This PC’ icon.Īlternative Method 2: Open the Start Menu and click on the Documents item in the left margin. This is the simplest and quickest method to open up Windows File Explorer.