Windows 11’s File Explorer will get at least three new features or improvements related to tab or window management, which will be available in Build 22635.4580 (KB5046733). First, File Explorer now also restores tabs next to windows if the "Restore previous windows on login" toggle is turned on.

This is a nice change, as some users have complained before that if you shut down the computer and turned on "Restore previous windows at logon", Windows 11's File Explorer cannot restore previously open tabs.

For this feature to work properly, we also recommend turning on "Auto-save my restartable apps and restart them when logging back in."


Once that's done, you can pick up where you left off, but it depends on how you use tabs in File Explorer.

For example, if you have three tabs open in a File Explorer window, then shut down or restart your computer, return to the desktop, and open File Explorer again. It will restore the three tabs and single or multiple windows.

Microsoft is testing this feature in Build 22635.4580 (KB5046733), and users of the beta version of Windows 1123H2 can use this feature. Windows 1124H2 will also get this feature in early 2025. It is speculated that this feature will start rolling out in February.

But is that all? Of course not.

When you open a folder externally in File Explorer. This can be by clicking on the folder on the desktop or through another application, and it will now open as a tab within an existing File Explorer window rather than launching a completely new window

For example, if you have File Explorer open showing your documents and then click on a folder on your desktop, the folder will open as a new tab in the same window, just like how a web browser works.

If you prefer the old way of opening each folder in a new window, you can adjust it in "General" > "Browse for Folders" in File Explorer settings.

Here is a screenshot of the feature:


Finally, the "Start Backup" reminder in File Explorer's address bar is no longer so annoying.


You can right-click and dismiss these reminders

If you haven't backed up important folders like your files, pictures, or desktop, File Explorer will sometimes display a reminder to start a backup.

You can now snooze or dismiss the reminder by right-clicking it. For example, if you no longer want to see backup suggestions, you can easily dismiss them instead of being constantly reminded.