How to Add More Action But­tons to Win­dows Explor­er Toolbar

Sandeep Agarwal

10 Oct 2012

Recently we shared two tools and strategies that help you customize the Windows 7 Libraries and the taskbar thumbnails in all possible ways. On similar lines, today we plan to discuss a tool that helps you customize the toolbar on Windows 7 explorer. Should work on Windows 8 too.

We will learn how to tailor the set of action buttons that appear on the toolbar. With this tool we will be able to extend the activities that can be performed right from the toolbar. In a way we will be doing things in fewer clicks than we would without those buttons. Here’s how the toolbar appears by default.

Before reading any further, I suggest you open one on your machine and take note of the different buttons that appear and what gets added or removed when you select a folder, a file or a special folder from the library.

Without delay, download this application called Custom Explorer Toolbar. Unzip the downloaded file in to a folder and execute the exe to get started. You do not have to go through any installation process because the application is portable.

When you run the application its interface will be displayed in a separate window. And as you can see from the image below, it shows four sections. Let us see what those sections mean.

Action: This is where you choose to add new buttons or remove the existing ones.

Toolbar Mode: You must have noticed that in the default setup all buttons do not always appear. Some of them become visible on selecting one or more items. You may define a similar setting for the new button that you add.

Buttons List: This is the core of the app. You need to check the list of action buttons that you wish to add or remove (based on the Action that you have selected).

Folder Types: In this section you can check the folder types that you wish to bring under the affect of newly added buttons.

How to Add or Remove Buttons?

In order to add or remove new buttons to the toolbar, select the associated Action, define the Toolbar Mode, check the list of buttons and Folder Types. Finally, hit on the Do It button. Exit the interface. Close and reopen the Windows explorer or simply refresh the interface. Bang, you will see the new buttons there. I added those to Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, Select All and Menu Bar (below image).

Note: You can remove the buttons that you have added using the tool. The buttons that come with Windows 7 or 8 by default cannot be removed using this tool.

Conclusion

The addition of buttons can be a real help in performing certain actions quickly. At least they save you a click or two (if you are not quite comfortable and familiar with Windows shortcuts). Do not forget to tell us what buttons you plan to add. We may also discuss on what else could have been there. 🙂

Last updated on 8 Feb, 2018
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

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Why is this button of the Windows Explorer labelled “File”?

Since Windows 8, the file explorer has this glorified drop-down button:

But why is it called «File»? It allows the user to do operations related to the OS, but has nothing to do with actual «Files». It’s not «Create new .cmd file», or «Select all files». That functionality is in the ribbon tab called «Home».

I ask this because I’m developing a remote raspberry pi file explorer, and want to implement a similar menu. But It doesn’t seem to make sense:

Ideally, what should this kind of menu be labelled?

3 Answers 3

I can’t speak directly for Microsoft, but i think it’s pretty obviously a relic of earlier windows versions. Changing the name would hurt more users than a semantically incorrect button does.

You could call your button whatever you want because, hey, you’re not Microsoft!

Take a look at the Windows Human Interface Guidelines, specifically the Menus section:

Use the standard menu organization for programs that create or view documents. The standard menu organization makes common menu items predictable and easier to find.

For other types of programs, use the standard menu organization only when it makes sense to. Consider organizing your commands and options into more useful, natural categories based on your program’s purpose and the way users think about their tasks and goals.

Standard menu bars

The standard menu bar structure is as follows. This list shows the menu category and item labels, their order with separators, their access and shortcut keys, and their ellipses.

This just seems like a use of these guidelines in a not-so-appropriate situation, for the sake of familiarity and consistency (other Windows apps, e.g. Paint or WordPad, have a similar two-pane «File» menu).

Note, however, that these guidelines are pretty old. You should probably follow the new UWP design guidelines, which are used in all the new Windows applications. In this specific scenario, it seems like the «see more» button would be appropriate. (Since new Windows are meant to be tablet-friendly, putting buttons in the title bar, which gets hidden in table mode, may not be a good idea.) From the guidelines:

The overflow menu is represented by the «see more» [•••] button, the visible entry point for the menu. It’s on the far-right of the toolbar, adjacent to primary actions.

The overflow area is allocated for actions that are less frequently used.

How to add a new button to windows explorer?

I want to know how to add a new button in windows explorer. I don’t want to create a new toolbar. I just want to add a new button in the same windows explorer standard buttons toolbar and not IE.

I appreciate any help possible.

3 Answers 3

I don’t think that is supported.

You could probably inject into the process and subclass the window and add the toolbar button if hacky solutions are OK.

I have found this article which seems to satisfy my desires. I’m currently on the path of starting development with the new interfaces and will let you know if they work as needed.

Thanks for everyone who replied/commented on my question

I got something.

first an article: http://www.askvg.com/how-to-customize-windows-explorer-command-bar that I found searching for <5c4f28b5-f869-4e84-8e60-f11db97c5cc7>which is the FolderType CLSID for Generic.

You find those in the windows registry in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE under the key:

Read the article it’s pretty informative! But if you wanna have code already:

Rigth in the middle you have a random CLSID created along with the Title aka button text or label, InfoTip which appears when hovering with the cursor and Icon which sadly doesn’t work. At the end there is the command to execute. Change those to your desire, save as a *.reg and just run it.

A bummer has to be said: Does not work on Non-Admin users! I tried it but seems you cannot just replace HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE with HKEY_CURRENT_USER .

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.