How To Open A New Windows Explorer Window, In Windows Explorer

Martin Brinkmann
Jul 14, 2010
Tutorials, Windows
|
10

Windows Explorer can basically be set to either open each new folder in a new window or all folders in the same. Windows users who want to mix the two modes have the problem that it appears to be more difficulty than though.

Most launch a new Windows Explorer window and navigate to the folder they want to view in the new window. Some launch the new instance from the taskbar, some use the keyboard shortcut Windows-E to do so.

Both methods have the problem that the user needs to manually navigate to the folder first before work can be continued.

There are actually two ways to open a new Windows Explorer window directly in the program, with the selected folder as the starting folder.

A right-click on any folder in Windows Explorer displays a context menu, this is true for the standard display but also the sidebar if it is enabled and available in the Windows operating system. Among the items in the context menu is the option to spawn the selected folder in a new window.

open in new window
open in new window

That's however not the fastest option to spawn a new Windows Explorer window. Holding down CTRL while double-clicking a folder will open the contents of that folder in a new Windows Explorer window.

This is the fastest way to open a new window in Windows Explorer from another Windows Explorer window, providing that the default setting has been set to display all folders in the same Explorer instance.

Got more handy Windows Explorer tips to share? Let us know in the comments.

Advertisement

Previous Post: «
Next Post: «

Comments

  1. bucko said on February 8, 2017 at 2:34 pm
    Reply

    Ctrl+Enter works for me (Windows 10)

  2. bawldiggle said on April 21, 2016 at 1:38 am
    Reply

    With a folder selected in Windows Explorer …
    Ctrl+LeftDoubleClick: for folders in Navigation pane only (left hand pane) *
    Ctrl+Shift+LeftDoubleClick: for folders in the “Files pane” (right hand pane) *

    * Opens the selected folder in a new instance of Windows Explorer

    Windows 7 Home Premium

  3. Esteban said on October 17, 2014 at 2:15 am
    Reply

    Thanks, I was looking for this

  4. Anonymous said on March 10, 2013 at 6:24 am
    Reply

    “Holding down CTRL while double-clicking a folder will open the contents of that folder in a new Windows Explorer window”

    Thanks a lot.

  5. sonicburst3 said on September 3, 2012 at 5:23 am
    Reply

    “Holding down CTRL while double-clicking a folder will open the contents of that folder in a new Windows Explorer window.”

    This is information definitely works and it was helpful. Wish i knew about this feature like 4yrs ago. Works on WinXP & Win7 Home you just right-click and the option ‘open in new window’ comes up.

  6. 38 said on July 29, 2012 at 1:20 am
    Reply

    “Holding down CTRL while double-clicking a folder will open the contents of that folder in a new Windows Explorer window.”
    I just confirmed that this also works in Windows XP.

  7. szekelya said on July 14, 2010 at 10:50 pm
    Reply

    Does not seem to be working in vista, and I don’t have the open in new window contextmenuitem neither. I think ctrl-doubleclicking worked on earlier versions of windows. Do you know a workaround for vista?

  8. Robert Palmar said on July 14, 2010 at 9:36 pm
    Reply

    “Holding down CTRL while double-clicking a folder will open
    the contents of that folder in a new Windows Explorer window”

    What do you know. I never knew.
    Very handy indeed. Thanks, Martin.

Leave a Reply

Check the box to consent to your data being stored in line with the guidelines set out in our privacy policy

We love comments and welcome thoughtful and civilized discussion. Rudeness and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please stay on-topic.
Please note that your comment may not appear immediately after you post it.