How do I fix File Explorer tabs not showing up in Windows 11?
Microsoft gave Windows users many reasons to move to the new Windows 11. Windows 11 has a fresh look, themes, features and many other visual changes.
If you are already a Windows 11 user and using the 22H2 build, you have already witnessed the very useful ‘File Explorer Tabs’. Yes, the Windows 11 22H2 build got the tab support for File Explorer, and it’s a very useful multitasking feature.
However, the problem is that many Windows 11 cannot find the new File Explorer tabs even after updating their Windows 11 version to 22621.675.
Many Windows 11 users installed the latest updates to experience the new tabs in File Explorer, but some were disappointed. Many users have reported missing tabs in windows 11 file explorer.
7 ways to solve File Explorer tabs not showing up in Windows 11
So, continue reading the guide if File Explorer tabs are not showing up in Windows 11 despite installing the Windows 11 22H2 update. Below are some of the best troubleshooting methods File Explorer tabs not showing Windows 11.
1. Make sure you are using the correct Windows 11 build
Not every build of Windows 11 has file explorer tabs. To experience the file explorer new tabs, make sure your PC is turned on Windows 11 Build 22621.675 or later.
If you installed the update, it will be delivered on October 18 — KB5019509, you should see the tabs in the file explorer. Here’s how to make sure your PC runs on Windows 11 Build 22621.675 or later.
1. Press the Windows + R button on your keyboard RUN dialog box.
2. When the RUN dialog opens, type in winner and press the Enter button.
3. This will open the Windows app above. Here you have to check the Windows 11 version.
That is it! Here’s how to check if your PC is running the correct Windows 11 build for File Explorer tabs.
2. Update your Windows 11
You need to update your operating system if your PC is not running Windows 11 Build 22621.675 or later. Installing the Windows 11 22H2 update is easy. Here’s what to do.
1. First, click the Windows 11 Start button and select Institutions.
2. In the Settings app, switch to Windows updates.
3. Click the on the right side Check for updates knob.
4. Now you need to download and install all pending updates. If your PC is compatible with Windows 11 22H2, the version update will appear on the Windows update screen.
That is it! This is how you can update your Windows 11 to fix file explorer tabs not showing on Windows 11.
3. Restart your Windows Explorer
If you don’t restart your PC often, it’s best to just restart the Windows Explorer process from the Task Manager.
New file explorer features may not appear due to the processes running in the background. And when you restart your computer or Windows Explorer, any background processes that are likely preventing the File Explorer tabs from appearing will be terminated.
It is quite easy to restart Windows Explorer on Windows 11. To do so, just follow some of the simple steps we have shared below.
1. First click on Search Windows 11 and type in Task management. Then open the Task Manager app from the list.
2. When the Task Manager opens, switch to the processes tab.
3. Find and select the Windows Explorer process on the right side. In the top right corner, click Restart. Or right-click Windows Explorer and select Restarting.
That is it! This will restart File Explorer on your Windows 11 computer. Once rebooted, open File Explorer and check if any tabs appear.
4. Enable tabs in File Explorer via ViveTool
Well, one method powerfully enables tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer. But that requires the use of the ViveTool.
We have already shared a detailed guide about it enable tabs in File Explorer with ViveTool. The method requires joining Windows Insider, downloading the ViveTool ZIP file and running a few commands at the command prompt.
Follow that guide to force enable tabs in Windows 11 file explorer using Vivetool.
5. Clear the file explorer cache
If everything is right on your end, but the file explorer tabs are still not showing up in Windows 11, then you need to clear the file explorer cache.
Windows 11 22H2 file explorer tabs not showing a problem could be due to corrupted file explorer cache. Therefore, you can enable Windows 11 Explorer tabs by clearing the File Explorer cache file. Here’s what to do.
1. First, open the File Explorer on your Windows 11. You can click the Windows + E button to open it.
2. In the top menu, click on the three dots shown in the screenshot below.
3. Select ‘Options‘ from the list of options that appears.
4. In the folder options, switch to the General tab. Then click on the Clearly button in the Privacy section.
That is it! After making the changes, click the Ok button to close the Folder Options prompt.
6. Run the SFC command
SFC or System File Checker is a utility that scans and repairs damaged system files. If the system files that handle File Explorer functionality are corrupted, the tabs will not be displayed.
You also need help using the Windows 11 File Explorer features. Therefore, you can run SFC command to fix File Explorer tabs not showing up on Windows 11.
1. Click on Search Windows 11 and type command prompt. Then right click on the Command Prompt and select ‘Run as administrator‘.
2. When the Command Prompt opens, type in the given command and press Enter.
SFC /scannow
3. Now you have to wait patiently for the scan to complete.
That is it! This should fix the Windows 11 File Explorer no tabs issue.
7. Reinstall the Windows 11 22H2 update
If you followed each method exactly as they are described, chances are that the file explorer missing tabs on Windows 11 problem might have been resolved. If nothing worked for you, the remaining option is to reinstall the Windows 11 22H2 update. Here’s what to do.
1. First, click the Windows 11 Start button and select Institutions.
2. In Settings, switch to WindowsUpdate.
3. Then click on the right side Update history.
4. On the Update history screen, click Uninstall Updates.
5. Now find the recent updates and look for the 22H2 build. Click the To delete button next to it.
6. Once uninstalled, restart your computer and check for updates again. This time install the Windows 11 22H2 update again.
That is it! This should fix no tabs on Windows 11 file explorer problem.
Also Read: Windows 11 ISO Free Download
These are easy ways to restore missing file explorer tabs on Windows 11. If you need more help fixing the no file explorer tabs issue in Windows 11, let us know in the comments. And if the article helped you, share it with your friends.
