Windows 10: I can't add or close tabs in File Explorer when it's on a full window

In Windows 11, version 22H2, when the file explorer is spread over the entire screen full window, it is not possible to add or close tabs. According to what I understood from one forum site, it happened to several people or it is a global problem, I didn't exactly understand Why is this happening? Thank you!

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

can't close current tab in Windows 10

When I try to close the current tab, a dropdown asks if I want to close all tabs or cancel, even if I only have one "tab" up. I have to respond to this in order to close anything. If I chose cancel, the current tab remains, as one would expect. If I choose
close all tabs, no matter how many I have up, it drops me to the lock screen, and I have to start over. Using Cortana, I have to go back through the original steps to get to the first page of my search. I can close steps in the search box, but that doesn't
work for everything.

 

Win 11 File Explorer tabs not opening

Hello. I'm Douglas, here to help you with this.

For this situation, I recommend that you test the steps in the order they are listed below:

1. Install Windows Updates

File Explorer tabs are only available on computers running Windows 11 22H2 or later. So your first step is to determine which version of Windows your computer is running. If your system is running an older version, use the following steps to update to the latest version.

Step 1: Click the Windows button on the taskbar to open the Start menu and click the gear icon to launch the Settings app.

Step 2: Click on the Windows Update option on the left sidebar and click on the Check for Updates button on the top right corner.

After updating Windows to the latest version, File Explorer tabs will appear.

2. Restart the Windows Explorer process

Windows Explorer is a system process that manages the graphical user interface (GUI) for File Explorer. If this process is not running correctly, File Explorer may not display the tabs on your computer. Most of the time, you can fix problems with the Windows Explorer process simply by restarting it. Here are the steps for the same.

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard to open Task Manager.

Step 2: On the Processes tab, find the Windows Explorer process. Right-click and select Restart.

Your taskbar will disappear for a few seconds and reappear. After that, open File Explorer on your PC and check if you can access the tabs.

3. Clear File Explorer history

Windows File Explorer keeps a record of your previous activities and searches to better serve you. If Windows is having trouble accessing this data for some reason, File Explorer may malfunction. You can try clearing the existing File Explorer history and see if that helps.

Step 1: Click the Windows Search icon on the taskbar, type file explorer options and press Enter.

Step 2: On the General tab, click on the Clear button next to Clear File Explorer History.

4. Run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter

Your Windows computer runs the System Maintenance Troubleshooter regularly to clean up unused files, desktop shortcuts, and perform other maintenance tasks. This tool can help fix any irregularities with File Explorer and restore missing tabs. See how to run it.

Step 1: Press Windows keys + S to open Windows Search, type control panel and press Enter.

Step 2: In the Control Panel window, use the drop-down menu in the upper-right corner to select Large Icons. Then click on the Troubleshooting menu in the list of icons.

Step 3: In the System and Security section, select the Perform maintenance tasks option.

Step 4: Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter. After that, check if the problem persists.

5. Check for corrupted system files

Another reason File Explorer may not show tabs is if some of the system files on your PC are corrupt or missing. SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) are two Windows tools that can help detect and repair any damaged system files. See how to run them.

Step 1: Right-click the Windows icon to open the Power User menu and select Terminal (Admin) from the list.

Step 2: Select Yes when the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears.

Step 3: In the console, type the following command and press Enter.

SFC/scannow

After the scan completes, you will see a message indicating whether or not you found any errors. You will also receive instructions for correcting the error if there is a problem.

Then run the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scan by typing the following commands and pressing Enter after each one:

DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/CheckHealth

DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/ScanHealth

DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth

Note that DISM can connect to Windows servers to download system files if needed. So make sure you have an active internet connection.

Restart your PC after the scan completes and check if File Explorer shows tabs.

I hope this information helps you, post the results again, I'm available.

Thanks.