View and open SharePoint files with File Explorer

Open with Explorer (in the classic SharePoint experience) and View in File Explorer (in the modern experience) are only available in Internet Explorer 11. These two options aren’t available in other browsers such as Chrome and Microsoft Edge, and this situation won’t change, because the underlying technology doesn’t work in newer browsers.

We recommend using Sync instead of Open with Explorer

Whether you’re using Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, or another browser, Sync is a faster and more reliable method for putting SharePoint files into folders you can see in File Explorer.

Sync is available on the ribbon, just to the left of Open with Explorer:

How to Sync SharePoint files and folders

Watch a 90-second video about the basics of using Sync on your SharePoint files and folders.

What to do if Internet Explorer is your browser

The «ActiveX» technology underlying Open with Explorer is relatively old and has become less reliable over time. So even in Internet Explorer 11, sometimes the Open with Explorer option is grayed out. If Internet Explorer is your browser, you can use Sync to get more reliable results. See Sync SharePoint and Teams files with your computer for instructions.

However, if you prefer to continue using Open with Explorer, read the following sections of this article. The first section can help you troubleshoot if Open with Explorer is unavailable.

Note: Microsoft 365 apps and services will not support Internet Explorer 11 starting August 17, 2021. Learn more. Please note that Internet Explorer 11 will remain a supported browser. Internet Explorer 11 is a component of the Windows operating system and follows the Lifecycle Policy for the product on which it is installed.

Select a heading below to open it and see the detailed information.

Here are four possible reasons, along with instructions for correcting each problem.

You’re not using a browser that supports ActiveX controls. Open with Explorer works only in Internet Explorer 10 or 11. On Windows 10, Edge is the default browser, but Internet Explorer 11 is also installed. Open with Explorer does not work with Edge, Chrome, or Firefox. You can use Internet Explorer to do your file transfers, and then go back to using your preferred browser (if not IE).

Internet Explorer has ActiveX controls or Add-ons are blocked. In Internet Explorer 11, press ALT+T on the keyboard. In the Tools menu if there’s a check next to ActiveX Filtering, then press X to turn it off. You can also click Tools, click Safety, and then click ActiveX Filtering.

You’re using 64-bit version of Internet Explorer. ActiveX controls are a 32-bit only technology. They don’t run in the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer. In Internet Explorer 11, there is only one browser and it automatically switches to 32-bit for ActiveX controls. However, if you’re using the 64-bit Internet Explorer 10, you must switch to the 32-bit version. To check your version, press ALT+H, and then press A for About Internet Explorer.

The SharePoint add-ons aren’t installed. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Manage Add-ons. Make sure you have these add-ons installed and enabled:

SharePoint Export Database Launcher

SharePoint OpenDocuments Class

SharePoint Stssync Handler

The Windows WebClient isn’t running Windows WebClient provides the support for Windows and the ActiveX control to communicate with SharePoint libraries. By default, it’s on and running in Windows. If it isn’t running, you may have problems using Open with Explorer. The WebClient is part of Internet Explorer. To make sure the WebClient is running, follow these steps.

Press the Windows key + R, type service.msc, and then press Enter.

In the Services dialog box, find WebClient. If you can’t find it, click Name to sort the list alphabetically.

Check under Status to make sure it says Running. If not, right-click WebClient, and select Start.

Note: Your version history is not copied when you use Sync or Open with Explorer. Only the latest or published versions of documents are copied or moved. For more info, see Why doesn’t sync or Open with Explorer copy or move my versioning info?

File Explorer is the Windows file management system you use on the desktop. You can open SharePoint libraries in File Explorer, and move or copy files and folders from your desktop folders to SharePoint. You can also open multiple SharePoint libraries in File Explorer, and copy or move folders between them.

Note: If you have Check out required enabled, you may need to temporarily disable it to download multiple files. For more info, see Set up a library to require check-out of files.

In SharePoint, open the document library with the file or folders you want to move or copy.

Do one of the following:

In SharePoint, click the View menu and then click View in File Explorer.

In SharePoint Server 2016, SharePoint Server 2013, or SharePoint Server 2010, click the Library tab, and then click Open with Explorer.

In SharePoint Server 2007, click Actions , and then click Open in Windows Explorer.

Note: View in File Explorer, Open with Explorer, and Open in Windows Explorer only work with Internet Explorer 10 or 11.

In addition to opening in File Explorer, SharePoint may also open the library in another tab in Classic SharePoint mode. You can ignore or close this library window.

You may get a pop-up asking if you’d rather sync the library. This is up to you. When you open a library in File Explorer, the folder on your desktop is temporary. If you use sync, you’ll get a persistent folder that stays in sync with the document library. For more info, see Sync SharePoint files with the OneDrive sync app.

If you get an Internet Explorer Security dialog, click Allow. You can also click the Do not show me the warning for this program again checkbox.

Open the destination document folder, and repeat step 2.

Now that you have both document libraries open in File Explorer—the source and the destination—you can copy or move files and folders between them.

Arrange the two windows so you can copy or move between them. You can display both on the screen with these steps:

Click the source window, and press the Windows key + Left arrow. The window should dock to the left side of the screen.

Repeat this with the destination window but press Windows key + Right arrow to dock it to the right side of the screen. Both windows should now be visible.

You can also just resize the windows and overlap them.

Do one of the following:

To copy, select the folders and files in the source , right-click, and select Copy, or press Ctrl+C to copy.

To move, select the folders and files in the source, right-click and select Cut, or press Ctrl+X to cut.

If you’re moving files, you can also select and drag the files from one File Explorer window to another, rather than using cut and paste.

Note: If your library uses versioning, you only get the published or the most current documents. You can’t move or copy previous versions. For more info, see Why doesn’t sync or Open with Explorer copy or move my versioning info?

In the destination folder, right-click and select Paste, or press Ctrl+V.

Note: If you don’t see Paste, return to the source folder, highlight the files and folders you want, right-click and select Cut or Copy.

When you’ve copied or moved all the files you want, close both File Explorer windows. Any file or folder changes you’ve made are automatically uploaded to SharePoint.

Return to the destination library in SharePoint. If the new files, folders, or changes haven’t appeared yet, refresh the page.

Before copying files

After copying files

In addition to using Open With Explorer, you can also sync the library with your desktop. When you sync, you get a persistent copy of the SharePoint library on your desktop. You can save files directly to the synced folder, and they are automatically uploaded in the SharePoint library it’s synced to.

You can sync either or both your source and destination libraries and work between them as well. For more info, see Sync SharePoint files with the OneDrive sync app.

If you must have versioning information included when you move a file from one SharePoint library to another, use the Move to command. For more details, read on.

Versioning is part of a SharePoint library. The versions and tracking is stored in the SharePoint data itself, and not in the files. Rather than overwrite older files when you check in a new version, SharePoint stores the older files as well as the newer ones, and differentiates between them with version numbers. The files are still separate, and are tracked in the library, but the versions are only in the SharePoint library.

Sync and Open with Explorer work with files which contain only the metadata that’s needed for that single file, such as modified date or author. When you copy using Open with Explorer, it can only copy or move files and their immediate info. The additional information and other files in SharePoint aren’t included.

If you’re using SharePoint, the Move to command does move the versioning history, as it is working inside the library. Move to retains versioning because only one copy of the file and structure exists. When SharePoint moves a file between folders or libraries with Move To, it includes versions and tracking information.

The SharePoint Copy to command, however, only copies the latest file. This prevents splitting the history between two locations. You can make updates to either file, but the changes are only reflected on that file.

If you’re copying files to keep a backup, and want to preserve the versioning, consider using a SharePoint server based backup rather than manually copying. That way if something happens to your current files, the backup of SharePoint can be retrieved. See Best practices for backing up and restoring in SharePoint Server.

What’s the difference between Sync and Open With Explorer?

Both Sync and Open with Explorer connect a SharePoint library with a folder on your desktop, but there is a difference:

Open with Explorer uses a temporary folder that opens in File Explorer. That folder only lasts until you close it and the content is saved to SharePoint. So Open with Explorer gives you one-time access to the SharePoint library by way of your desktop folders.

Sync uses the OneDrive sync app to create a more permanent folder that you can use on a daily basis. All content that you add to, edit, or remove from either the online SharePoint library or the desktop folder automatically syncs with the other location. For example, once you sync a library, you can save directly from Word or Excel to the desktop folder, and everything is automatically uploaded to the SharePoint library. If you save something to the desktop folder while you’re working offline, Sync will update the SharePoint library as soon as you’re back online.

How to open File Explorer and Windows Explorer: 12 ways

File Explorer is one of the most used apps in Windows 10, just like Windows Explorer is one of the most used tools in Windows 7. Whether you need to copy or move files or delete some, there is always one thing that you have to do first, and that is to open the File Explorer or the Windows Explorer. We thought it would be an excellent idea to write this roundup article, showing all the ways in which you can open File Explorer in Windows 10 and how to open Windows Explorer in Windows 7. They involve everything from search to keyboard shortcuts, to using speech, and so on. Let’s get started:

Quick Steps:

1. Press the Win + E keys on your keyboard, and watch File Explorer or Windows Explorer immediately start.
2. Click or tap the File Explorer/Windows Explorer shortcut on the taskbar.
3. Open CMD or PowerShell and run the command: explorer.

NOTE: This guide covers Windows 10 and Windows 7. If you don’t know the Windows version you have, read this tutorial: What version of Windows do I have installed? (5 methods).

1. Open (Windows) File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard

The keyboard offers fast shortcuts for launching all kinds of things, including File Explorer and Windows Explorer. Press the Win + E keys on your keyboard, and watch File Explorer or Windows Explorer immediately start.

Open (Windows) File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard

2. Use the File Explorer shortcut (or Windows Explorer shortcut) on the taskbar

By default, Windows 10 includes a File Explorer shortcut on the taskbar. The icon looks like a folder. Click or tap on it, and File Explorer is opened.

Use the File Explorer shortcut on the taskbar

Similarly, Windows 7 includes a Windows Explorer shortcut on its taskbar. The icon looks a bit different from the one in Windows 10, but it also depicts a folder.

Use the Windows Explorer shortcut on the taskbar

3. How to open File Explorer (or Windows Explorer) using search

On Windows 10’s desktop, use the search box found near the Start button on the taskbar and, inside it, write the words “file explorer.” When the search results are loaded, press Enter or click or tap on the File Explorer result.

How to open File Explorer in Windows 10 using search

In Windows 7, open the Start Menu and type the words “windows explorer” in its search box.

Then, click on the Windows Explorer shortcut.

How to open Windows Explorer in Windows 7 using search

4. Open File Explorer in Windows 10 using Cortana

In Windows 10, you can also ask Cortana to open File Explorer. On the right side of the search box from your taskbar, click or tap on Cortana’s button. Then, either type “open File Explorer” or push the microphone button and use your voice to say the “Open File Explorer!” command to Cortana.

Open File Explorer in Windows 10 using Cortana

5. How to open File Explorer in Windows 10 using its shortcut from the WinX menu

If you use Windows 10, press Windows + X on the keyboard to open the WinX menu. You can also right-click on the Start button to get the same result. This menu also includes a shortcut for File Explorer. Click or tap on it, and File Explorer opens immediately.

How to open File Explorer in Windows 10 using its shortcut from the WinX menu

6. How to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer using their shortcuts from the Start Menu

In Windows 10, open the Start Menu and scroll the list with all the apps until you reach the folder called “Windows System.” Open it, and you should find a shortcut for File Explorer inside.

How to open File Explorer using its shortcuts from the Start Menu

In Windows 7, open the Start Menu and enter the Accessories folder. You should find a shortcut for Windows Explorer.

How to open Windows Explorer using its shortcut from the Start Menu

7. Open File Explorer using its button from Windows 10’s Start Menu

Another way to open File Explorer in Windows 10 is to add a button for it in the Start Menu. You can easily do it by opening Settings, navigating to “Personalization -> Start -> Choose which folders appear on Start,” and then turning on the File Explorer switch.

Enable File Explorer in Settings -> Personalization -> Start -> Choose which folders appear on Start

Then, Windows 10 shows a new button for File Explorer on the left side of the Start Menu.

How to open File Explorer in Windows 10 using its button from the Start Menu

Click or tap on it to open File Explorer.

8. How to create a File Explorer shortcut to open it from anywhere

You can always make a shortcut to File Explorer. If you’re using Windows 10, an easy way to do it is to drag and drop the File Explorer shortcut from the Start Menu onto your desktop or in any other folder you prefer.

File Explorer shortcut pinned to the desktop of Windows 10

Another one is to create a File Explorer shortcut or Windows Explorer shortcut manually. Just make sure to enter explorer as the shortcut’s “[…] location of the item”.

Create (Windows) File Explorer shortcut

NOTE: If you need help creating shortcuts, read how to Create shortcuts for apps, files, folders, and web pages in Windows 10. Although this tutorial is written for Windows 10, the first sections from it also apply to Windows 7.

9. Open (Windows) File Explorer using Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you are working with Command Prompt or PowerShell, you can type the command explorer and press Enter. This immediately launches File Explorer in Windows 10 or Windows Explorer in Windows 7.

Open (Windows) File Explorer using Command Prompt or PowerShell

10. How to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer using Task Manager

Another way of opening File Explorer or Windows Explorer is to use the Task Manager. Launch Task Manager: a quick way to do it is to press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard. If you are using Windows 10 and the Task Manager opens up in its compact view mode, click or tap on “More details.” Then, open the File menu and click or tap on “Run new task.”

Run new task in Task Manager

In the “Create new task” window, type explorer and press Enter or OK.

How to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer using Task Manager

11. Open File Explorer or Windows Explorer from the Run window

The final method we know of for opening File Explorer is to use the good old Run window. Launch Run (a quick way to do that is to press the Win + R keys on your keyboard) and enter the word explorer in it. Then click or tap on OK, or press Enter on your keyboard.

Open File Explorer or Windows Explorer from the Run window

12. Where is File Explorer in Windows 10 (and Windows 7)? Open it by running explorer.exe

Both Windows 10 and Windows 7 store the executable file for File Explorer in the standard Windows folder. As a result, although it’s kind of redundant, you can also navigate to your Windows folder and then double-click on the explorer.exe file to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer.

Where is File Explorer in Windows 10 (and 7)? Open it by running explorer.exe

How do you open (Windows) File Explorer?

These are all the methods we know for starting File Explorer in Windows 10 and Windows Explorer in Windows 7. If you know others, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments section below, and we will update this article as soon as possible.