Windows 11 introduced major design changes to the operating system and the File Explorer ribbon was one of the newly designed elements.
It’s now cleaner and sleeker, and better suited for windows of different sizes. However, you may like the old one better or have not been able to get used to the new layout. Whatever be the reason, you can easily revert to the classic File Explorer ribbon using the methods mentioned in the guide.
1. Use Registry Editor
Registry Editor contains all the important system files for your PC. Replacing them usually doesn’t cause any problems if you know what you’re doing. However, backing up all files before tampering with them can serve as your fail-safe.
First, go to the Start menu and type Registry Editor. Then, click on the respective tile.
After that, click on the ‘File’ option to take a backup of the Registry Editor files and click on the ‘Export’ option to proceed further.
Then, enter an appropriate name for the backup file. Next, click on the ‘All’ option and then click on the ‘Save’ button.
Now, type or copy + paste the below address in the address bar and hit enter to navigate to the directory.
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions
After that, right-click on the ‘Shell Extension’ folder and hover over the ‘New’ option. Then, click on the ‘Key’ option. Next, rename the folder blocked, Do this step only if a key with the same name does not already exist.
Then, select the ‘Blocked’ folder and right-click on an empty space. After that, hover over the ‘New’ option and click on the ‘String Value’ option.
Finally, type or copy+paste the text below as the file name.
{e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}
Once done, restart your PC and check whether the classic ribbon is showing in File Explorer or not.
2. Use Command Prompt
If you are not comfortable with the Registry Editor method, you can use the Command Prompt method. Besides, it’s a lot easier that way.
First go to the start menu and type terminal to do a search. Then, right-click on the ‘Terminal’ tile and click on the option ‘Run as administrator’.
After that, a UAC (User Account Control) window will appear on your screen. If you are not logged in with an administrator account, enter the credentials for one. Otherwise, click on the ‘Yes’ button.
Then, click on the chevron (down arrow) and select the ‘Command Prompt’ option.
Afterwards, type or copy+paste the below command and hit enter To execute.
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}" /f
Once executed, restart your computer and check if you are able to see the classic ribbon.
3. Use Control Panel
This method only works if you haven’t installed the cumulative update for Windows 11 (10.0.22000.71) on your PC yet.
First go to the start menu and type Control to do a search. Then, click on the ‘Control Panel’ tile.
After that, click on ‘File Explorer Options’ to proceed.
Next, find and enable the option ‘Launch folders in a separate process’ and click on the ‘Apply’ button to save the changes.
That’s all, friends. Using the above mentioned methods, you will be able to bring back the classic File Explorer with ribbon menu on your Windows 11 computer.
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