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Where is Windows Explorer?

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Summary: Windows Explorer is everywhere - yet finding Windows Explorer on the Start Menu is actually fairly difficult. We look at where Windows Explorer is, and some of the many other ways you can get to it.

I am running Windows XP Pro, and for some reason I cannot find Windows Explorer. I can't find it in the Start Menu ... could you point me in the right direction?

Windows Explorer is both the hardest to find, and the easiest to find program there is. There are several ways to get it, and all of them are really, really easy.

It's just that none of them are obvious.

First, the "expected" location:

  • Start menu

  • All Programs item

  • Accessories sub-menu

  • Windows Explorer menu item

Not obvious, but that's typically where you'll find it.

And for what it's worth, I never, ever, use that location.

"There are several ways to get it, and all of them are really, really easy."

Here are some of the other ways you can get to Windows Explorer, most of them much easier than that:

  • If your keyboard has a "Windows Key", then Windows+E brings up Windows Explorer.

  • Right click on My Computer, and click on Explore.

  • Click on Start, then Run, and enter in a folder name, like "C:\", and click OK - that will open up Windows Explorer (without the left hand navigation pane) on that folder.

  • Click on Start, then Run, and enter in "explorer /e,c:\folder" where "c:\folder" is replaced with the folder you want to view. This is roughly the same as the previous point, except that the left hand navigation pane is visible.

If you have a directory that you like to view often in Windows Explorer, that last point can be very handy - just create a shortcut with that as the command line. For example on my Start menu I have an entry that is a shortcut to something like:

explorer /e,\\Server\share\mp3

A click on that menu item, and the mp3 folder on one of my shared machines opens up.

Related:

Article 10471 | Posted July 4, 2006

Recent Comments
13 Comments

I need your address to send a bloched-up thing I did. Misplaced your address. Help!

Thanks

Posted by: Audrey Sheck at August 11, 2006 1:49 PM

How many explorer.exe are there in your Windows folder?

Posted by: horia at June 4, 2007 12:05 PM

The above article was informative.

I have a file/print server running ME that has been trouble free, except for a blank left pane in Windows Explorer and My Computer. I have tried a number of different run command parameters but no cigar. I suspect a registry problem but haven't a clue whick entry to look for or how to make the left pane show up. Any ideas?

Posted by: Dave Lueders at October 24, 2007 10:13 AM

Hi Leo, I tried opening Windows Explorer to access an ftp file but couldnt do it. When i go to windows explorer n type the ftp link it gives an error msg and nothing moves after that. Please help.


Thanks

Posted by: lilima at June 4, 2008 12:49 AM

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

I don't think Windows explorer does FTP. Either get a "real"
frp program (FileZilla is free and open source) or use
Internet Explorer or Firefox.

Leo


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UOi/el/nSCdlYL850KxO9L8=
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Posted by: Leo at June 4, 2008 10:41 AM

Internet Explorer can do ftp transfers. After typing the address in the bar, the drop down menu (I think under file??) gives the option to allow ftp. After that, and signing in, it should be listed in your network places, and just double click.

Posted by: Penny at June 5, 2008 5:54 AM

It seems to be a very long ordeal but i guess its for our own good.

Posted by: Edward J. Davis at June 24, 2008 5:38 PM

i cannot find windows explorer, it is not in my accessories sub category - can i buy it and reinstall it??? i tried emailing microsoft but that was way too hard can you help
carol

Did you try all of the techniques to start Windows Explorer that were discussed in the article? Windows Explorer is not something you buy or download - it's a part of Windows itself and is already there.
- Leo
26-Sep-2008

Posted by: carol freedman at September 26, 2008 9:11 PM

Is it possible that Windows Explorer may not be on your computer? So how can you find something that is not there to begin with?

Do you have a "Start" button? Then you have Windows Explorer. (It's the same program that provides this functionality as well.) It's highly unlikely that it's not there.
- Leo
13-Oct-2008

Posted by: ChukoBoy at October 13, 2008 6:06 AM

Dear Leo,
I have a great problem...the "start" button is NOT on my computer...somehow I cannot run explorer. no idea what to do...help!

Posted by: Julie at October 23, 2008 1:34 AM

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