How to Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11

Before making any system modifications, create a restore point to safely revert changes if needed.

Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter. Click the System Protection tab, then click Create.

Name: Classic Explorer Restore Point
Description: Before modifying File Explorer interface

Click Create and wait for the process to complete. This typically takes 2-3 minutes.

The fastest way to access the classic ribbon interface is through the Windows Tools folder. This method doesn't require any system modifications.

Right-click the Start button and select Run. Type the following command:

shell:Administrative Tools

Press Enter. This opens the Windows Tools folder. Double-click This PC to launch File Explorer with the classic ribbon interface.

Alternatively, you can navigate manually: Start Menu > All Apps > Windows Tools > This PC

Create a permanent shortcut that always opens the classic File Explorer interface.

Right-click on your desktop and select New > Shortcut. In the location field, enter:

%windir%\explorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Click Next and name the shortcut Classic File Explorer. Click Finish.

To customize the icon, right-click the shortcut, select Properties, click Change Icon, and browse to:

%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll

Select an appropriate folder icon (typically icon #3 or #4).

Explorer Patcher is the most reliable third-party solution for permanently restoring the classic File Explorer interface in Windows 11.

Open your web browser and navigate to the official GitHub repository:

https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher

Click on Releases on the right side, then download the latest ep_setup.exe file. As of March 2026, the current version is typically 22621.x.x or higher.

Right-click the downloaded file and select Run as administrator. The installation is automatic and requires no user interaction.

The system will automatically restart Explorer.exe during installation. Your taskbar may briefly disappear and reappear.

Customize Explorer Patcher to fine-tune your classic File Explorer experience.

Right-click on the taskbar and look for Properties in the context menu (this option is added by Explorer Patcher). If you don't see it, press Win + R and run:

rundll32.exe C:\Windows\dxgi.dll,ZZGUI

In the Explorer Patcher settings window, navigate to File Explorer section. Configure these key settings:

Control interface: Classic ribbon
Disable modern context menu: Enabled
Hide search bar: Optional (your preference)
Show ribbon by default: Enabled

Click Restart File Explorer to apply changes immediately.

For users who prefer direct registry modifications, this method enables classic Explorer through Windows Registry changes.

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID

Right-click in the right pane and create a new key named:

{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}

Inside this key, create another key named InprocServer32. In the InprocServer32 key, double-click the (Default) value and leave it empty (delete any existing value).

Close Registry Editor and restart Windows Explorer by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, finding Windows Explorer in the process list, right-clicking it, and selecting Restart.

Address the most common problems when restoring classic File Explorer functionality.

Issue 1: Explorer Patcher not working after Windows Update

Download the latest version from GitHub and reinstall. Windows Updates can sometimes break third-party modifications.

Issue 2: Registry method reverted

Windows 11 22H2+ automatically removes these registry entries. Switch to Explorer Patcher for permanent solution.

Issue 3: Performance issues or crashes

Uninstall Explorer Patcher by running:

ep_setup.exe /uninstall

Then restart your computer and try a clean installation.

Issue 4: Classic ribbon appears but modern context menus remain

In Explorer Patcher settings, ensure "Disable modern context menu" is enabled, then restart File Explorer.