Windows 11 File Explorer - make it like Windows 10

I recently bought a new desktop computer with Windows 11 and I cannot get used to the File Explorer changes.  I'm trying to move a lot of files from my old computer to the new one, but the new one keeps trying to make me put them in the Microsoft OneDrive file!  I don't want them there; I want them in my C Drive where they will be stored permanently.  I've been trying to move them there, but every time I close Explorer and reopen, it defaults back to the 'One Drive' files.  I've been reading in google about how to change Windows Explorer 11 to Windows 10, but I can't get anything to work.  I thought I was pretty computer savvy but guess not as much as I thought.  Here's one post that really got me:
 


How do I make Windows 11 File Explorer like Windows 10?
 
 

File Explorer:

Before you can enable these features, you'll need to click Register as shell extension at the top and then click Yes. To bring back the Windows 10 context menu, click Disable the Windows 11 context menu. Then, click Restart File Explorer at the bottom-left. Goodbye, awkward Windows 11 context menu![/size]Dec 2, 2023



Really?  It's like reading Greek to me.
 
Can anyone please help me do this, I REALLY don't like the new explorer 11!
 
Thanks,

Edited by NickAu, 14 February 2024 - 12:07 AM.

Hi, Welcome to BC.

 

Please edit your text from the Bottom Right Edit near Post.

Back space the empty stuff off please. 

On top of taking room on the server it takes room on people monitors to have to pull for acres.  Thanks

 

Suggest you get used to File Explorer as it is changing constantly.   You can change how it looks from View 

 

The Ribbon blew air when it came out and do not know why anyone would want that stuff back.  Some various things besides File Explorer. (New Name, New Look as it does way more)

https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/windows-11-look-like-windows-10

...........................put them in the Microsoft OneDrive file!  I don't want them there; I want them in my C Drive where they will be stored permanently.

The OneDrive folder is actually on your C: drive. Its default location is C:\Users\YourUsername\OneDrive.

 

If OneDrive is still enabled on your new computer, then to make sure all your files are kept on your C: drive as well as the cloud, right-click your Documents, Pictures etc folders then make sure there's tick next to "Always keep on this device".

 

Let me show you how to stop OneDrive sync in the Windows operating system. https://youtu.be/3DDDoYolT9o

 

...........................put them in the Microsoft OneDrive file!  I don't want them there; I want them in my C Drive where they will be stored permanently.

The OneDrive folder is actually on your C: drive. Its default location is C:\Users\YourUsername\OneDrive.

 

If OneDrive is still enabled on your new computer, then to make sure all your files are kept on your C: drive as well as the cloud, right-click your Documents, Pictures etc folders then make sure there's tick next to "Always keep on this device".

 

 

 

Thank you for this information - I didn't know that you could right-click and keep docs on the device!  The reason I don't like keeping them in the One Drive is because I constantly get messages that my One Drive is full, and wanting me to buy more storage.  So how can all of the extra docs be in One Drive if it's full?  Do I need to right click on EVERY folder to 'Always keep on this Device?  That's a bit tedious, especially if I forget sometimes.

Thanks again.

 

Edited by jpiatt, 21 February 2024 - 10:56 PM.

Hi, Welcome to BC.

 

Please edit your text from the Bottom Right Edit near Post.

Back space the empty stuff off please. 

On top of taking room on the server it takes room on people monitors to have to pull for acres.  Thanks

 

Suggest you get used to File Explorer as it is changing constantly.   You can change how it looks from View 

 

The Ribbon blew air when it came out and do not know why anyone would want that stuff back.  Some various things besides File Explorer. (New Name, New Look as it does way more)

https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/windows-11-look-like-windows-10

 

I actually pulled off your directions about 

How to Make Windows 11 Look and Feel Like Windows 10 ​by editing the registry.  However, I really don't see much change.  I guess I'll have to play around with it a little bit more to see what's different.  Thanks for your help.

Edited by jpiatt, 21 February 2024 - 11:01 PM.

Things change and break with updates or functions will not work.  Hard to do just File Explorer.

 

have to keep up on it but ... (I use Classic Shell for my menu as well as here)

 

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/how-to-make-windows-11-look-like-windows-10-in-2-minutes.15518/

Edited by Pkshadow, 22 February 2024 - 02:45 AM.

 

 

I didn't know that you could right-click and keep docs on the device!  .............................. Do I need to right click on EVERY folder to 'Always keep on this Device? ..............

 

 

OneDrive only monitors your Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Desktop folders so go into File Explorer then set them to "Always keep on this device" and that will apply the same setting to all subfolders too.
 

I never did trust One Drive, because I was told that is a Microsoft 'cloud' storage. ANY cloud storage can be read by  whomever owns that Cloud.

I had the same problems and still have other problems with Microsoft Updates and find I need to fix a lot when it updates. (like put them back where I want them not where MS wants them). And I wonder what they are putting in those updates because YOU CANNOT STOP UPDATES!  I UNinstalled One Drive and everything goes right to C where I want it now. The updates do NOT tell you when they will download, Microsoft just pauses your computer to load them and doesn't even TELL you they are there! (which caused a BSOD!)

 

If I want a cloud I will use one of my choice. I have a SSD drive with a Terabyte and 16g Ram and a backup terabyte remote drive as well as CD drive, and what is on it is none of anyone's business.

Be careful out there! 

@masx you are off topic.

 

Suggest Upgrade to Win Pro if do not have it.

 

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-disable-automatic-driver-updates-windows-10 /11

 

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/146562-prevent-windows-update-updating-specific-device-driver.html

 

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-roll-back-device-driver-windows-10 /11

 

No further comments. Start a new Topic if so need to.

I have never liked any version of Windows File Explorer so years ago I started using XYplorer (portable) with Windows XP. The developer has regularly updated this program to make it compatible with each new Windows operating system released by Microsoft. XYplorer was free for a long time but they discontinued the free version so I just purchased the lifetime license which I can use on all my computers.
 
There are a number of alternative and free file managers available which I have tried over the years but I still prefer XYplorer.

Q-Dir is rather good program with 4 panels and now tons of stuff : https://www.techspot.com/downloads/6482-q-dir.html

 

Used mostly when I was working on web pages.  Having 4 directories/folders and paths open at one time made moving things about really easy.

 

May find it useful.   With advent and modernization of File Explorer and to Search within it I have sorta left Q-Dir alone these days.  Very useful though for gathering files to one place.

Has a lot more functions these days.

Yep....Q-Dir is one of those alternatives I have and still use from time to time. Like XYplorer, it's one of those file managers that is regularly updated with new features and fixes. Five updates so far this year.