How to open Folder Options or File Explorer Options in Windows 10

You can use File Explorer Options (also known as Folder Options ) to change how files and folders behave, as well as how items are displayed on your computer.

This guide will show you different ways on how to open Folder Options or File Explorer Options in Windows 10.

Note : The Apply to Folders option will be grayed out unless you open File Explorer Options from the same folder window in File Explorer that you want to apply to other folders, using the same folder template.

Table of Contents

• A Quick Introduction to Windows Folder Options
• Use the search bar on the Start menu
• Using the Run command dialog box
• Open File Explorer Options in Control Panel
• Open Folder Options in the File Explorer ribbon
• Open Folder Options in the File Explorer file menu
• Open Folder Options in File Explorer with keyboard shortcut
• Open Folder Options from Quick Access in File Explorer
• Using system settings
• Using Task Manager
• Using Command Prompt or PowerShell
• Use the Folder Options shortcut on the desktop

A Quick Introduction to Windows Folder Options

Folder Options (also known as File Explorer Options ) includes various file and folder settings. There are three tabs on the Windows Folder Options window: General, View , and Search.

• The General tab includes basic settings. This is where you can clear your File Explorer history and configure some security settings.
• Meanwhile, the View tab contains most of the Folder Options settings . This is where you can configure various settings, such as hiding files, hiding file size information, etc.
• Finally, the Search tab is where you can configure settings for the File Explorer search bar.

So how do you open Windows Folder Options?

Use the search bar on the Start menu

The easiest way to open Folder Options is to use the search bar on the Start menu. In fact, you can easily access system settings and many other apps using the search bar on the Start menu.

So here's how to open Folder Options via the Start menu search bar:

• Click the Start menu search bar icon on the taskbar or press Win + S .
• Type File Explorer Options  and select the best match.

Using the Run command dialog box

Alternatively, you can use the Run command dialog box. This powerful tool also makes it easy to open almost any program on Windows.

Here's how to open Folder Options using the Run command dialog box:

• Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box .
• Type control.exe folder and press Enter to open Windows Folder Options. Alternatively, you can type rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 0 and press Enter.

Open File Explorer Options in Control Panel

Open Control Panel (icons view) and click the File Explorer Options icon.

Open Folder Options in the File Explorer ribbon

1. Open File Explorer ( Win + E ).

2. Click the View tab and click Options in the ribbon.

Open Folder Options in the File Explorer file menu

1. Open File Explorer ( Win + E ).

2. Click the File tab and click Change folder and search options in the File menu.

Open Folder Options in File Explorer with keyboard shortcut

1. Open File Explorer ( Win + E ).

2. Press the Alt + V keys to see available shortcuts in the View tab of the ribbon, and then press the Y and O keys .

Open Folder Options from Quick Access in File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer ( Win + E ).

2. Right-click or press and hold Quick Access in the navigation pane and click Options.

Using system settings

System settings are reliable when it comes to customizing or repairing applications on your PC. But that's not all - system settings can also help you open various tools and applications.

Here's how you can open Folder Options using system settings:

• Press Win + I to open system settings.
• Type File Explorer Options in the search box, then select the relevant option.

Using Task Manager

You probably use Task Manager to close programs or analyze your PC's performance. The good news is that you can also use it to access your applications.

So, let's explore how you can open Folder Options using Task Manager:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager .
• Click the File tab in the upper right corner, then select Run new task .
• Type control.exe folder into the search box and press OK to open Folder Options.

Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

Command Prompt and PowerShell are pretty amazing tools. You can often use them to configure some settings or troubleshoot system problems.

Now, let's explore how you can use these tools to open Folder Options:

To start, let's see how to open Folder Options using Command Prompt:

• Type Command Prompt into the Start menu search bar.
• Right-click on the best match and select Run as administrator .
• Type the following command and press Enter to open Windows Folder Options.

control.exe folders

Now, let's see how you can open Folder Options via PowerShell:

• Type Windows PowerShell into the Start menu search bar.
• Right-click on the best match and select Run as administrator .
• Type the following command and press Enter to open Windows Folder Options.

control.exe folders

Use the Folder Options shortcut on the desktop

You can also access Folder Options using a desktop shortcut. But first, you have to create a shortcut using the following steps:

• Press Win + D to access the desktop. Also, check out the different ways to access the Windows desktop .
• Right-click an empty space on the desktop and select New > Shortcut .
• Enter %windir%\system32\control.exe folders into the location box and click the Next button.

Next, type Folder Options or something similar into the name box. Finally, press the Finish button.

You can now easily access Folder Options by clicking the shortcut on your desktop. For easy access to the shortcut, pin it to the taskbar.