To set File Explorer to open This PC instead of Quick Access, open Registry Editor by pressing Windows + R and typing regedit, then navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named LaunchTo and set its value to 1. After restarting File Explorer or your PC, File Explorer will always open to This PC.
Quick Steps:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run box
- Type
regeditand press Enter - Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced - Right-click in the empty space and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
- Name it
LaunchToand press Enter - Double-click the new entry and set Value data to
1 - Click OK and restart your PC
Why Change File Explorer’s Default Launch Location?
When I was running the computer repair business, I noticed that Quick Access confused a lot of clients, especially seniors. They’d open File Explorer expecting to see their drives and folders, but instead got a bunch of recently accessed files they didn’t recognize. It became one of those small annoyances that added up over time.
Quick Access is designed to show your frequently used folders and recent files, but if you’re like me and prefer a more traditional approach to file management, This PC makes way more sense. You get direct access to your drives, user folders, and network locations without the clutter. Plus, if you’re setting up computers for other people, starting at This PC is just simpler to explain.
While you can do this via the Advanced Folder Options in the Windows GUI too, this registry tweak can help automate things during the Windows setup process if you use it in a script or autounattend.xml file, and it’s one of those modifications that makes Windows feel more comfortable to use. If you make other File Explorer tweaks like disabling search box suggestions, you’ll have a much cleaner file browsing experience overall.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
Press the Windows key and R together on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit into the text field and press Enter. If User Account Control prompts you, click Yes to allow Registry Editor to make changes to your system.
Step 2: Navigate to the Explorer Advanced Key
In Registry Editor, you need to navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. You can either click through each folder in the left sidebar or paste the path directly into the address bar at the top. I always paste it because it’s faster and reduces the chance of going to the wrong location.
Step 3: Create the LaunchTo Value
Once you’re in the Advanced key, right-click anywhere in the empty white space on the right side of the window. Select New, then click DWORD (32-bit) Value from the menu. Name this new entry LaunchTo exactly as shown and press Enter to confirm the name.
Step 4: Set the Value Data
Double-click on the LaunchTo entry you just created to open its properties. In the Value data field, change the number from 0 to 1. Make sure the Base is set to Hexadecimal (though it doesn’t matter for the value 1), then click OK to save the change.
Step 5: Restart to Apply Changes
Close Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. You can also just restart Windows Explorer if you don’t want to reboot your whole system. To do that, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find Windows Explorer in the process list, right-click it, and select Restart.
Understanding the LaunchTo Registry Value
The LaunchTo value controls what File Explorer shows when you first open it. When set to 1, File Explorer opens to This PC. If you ever want to switch back to Quick Access, just change the value back to 2 or delete the LaunchTo entry entirely. It’s a simple toggle that gives you control over your default view.
This is the kind of customization that Windows should honestly just include in Settings, but Microsoft buries it in the registry instead. That’s why I created Winhance, my Windows Enhancement Utility that lets you make tweaks like this without touching the registry manually. It’s free and open source, and it handles dozens of these kinds of modifications with just a few clicks.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: File Explorer still opens to Quick Access after making the change
Solution: Make sure you restarted Windows Explorer or your PC after creating the registry value. Also verify that the value name is spelled exactly as LaunchTo with a capital L and capital T.
Problem: Can’t find the Advanced key in Registry Editor
Solution: Double-check that you’re in the correct path. It should be under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, not HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Copy and paste the full path into the address bar to avoid navigation errors.
Problem: Registry Editor won’t let me create a new value
Solution: Make sure you have administrator privileges and that you’re right-clicking in the correct location. You need to right-click in the empty space on the right side of the window, not on an existing registry key in the left sidebar.
FAQ
Is it safe to modify the Windows registry?
Yes, this specific modification is completely safe. I’ve applied it on hundreds of computers over the years without any issues. Just make sure you’re changing the correct value in the correct location. If you want to be extra cautious, you can create a registry backup before making changes, but for a simple tweak like this, it’s not necessary.
Does this work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, this registry modification works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The registry path and value are identical across both operating systems, so you can use the exact same steps regardless of which version you’re running.
How do I switch back to Quick Access?
To revert to Quick Access, go back to the same registry location and change the LaunchTo value from 1 to 2. Alternatively, you can just delete the LaunchTo entry entirely, and Windows will default back to Quick Access. Restart File Explorer or your PC for the change to take effect.
Can I make other registry tweaks to customize File Explorer?
Absolutely. There are tons of registry modifications you can make to customize File Explorer and Windows in general. For example, you can enable the classic context menu in Windows 11 using a similar registry edit. Just be careful to only modify values you understand, and always make sure you’re working in the correct registry path.
Will Windows updates undo this change?
In my experience, Windows updates typically don’t revert this registry modification. It’s a user-level setting under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, so it’s less likely to be touched by system updates. However, if you do a feature update or reinstall Windows, you’ll need to reapply the tweak. That’s another reason I built Winhance—it can reapply all your customizations automatically after a fresh Windows install.
