Windows 10: Why Does F3 Open The File Explorer/Search Now?

Ever since the May 2021 update to Windows 10 whenever I press the F3 key it brings up the file explorer or windows search no matter what I'm doing. This is super frustrating because I use F3 for quicksaves, I play Minecraft Java Edition and using F3 can do quite a bit of things, but now i cant use any of those useful functions because it just tabs me out opens the stupid file explorer.

:)

 

Search for Missing files in File Explorer

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand that you are looking for a file named “Class” with the length of the file. However, currently File Explorer doesn’t have the option to search the files using the length.

You can follow the steps mentioned below to search for a file in File Explorer using the Size, Kind of file and other options.

1. Press and hold Windows key + E to open
   File Explorer.
   
2. Click on This PC on the left pane.
   
3. Press F3 key to open Search options.
   
4. You can select the Size,
   Kind of file and other options and then, search for the file.
   

Hope it helps.

Please reply with the status of the issue, we will be glad to help you further.

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

File Explorer search box

I know what you mean, this is a new function of file search and cannot be turned off. (as far as I know)

You can clear the list during a search from the Search ribbon but I suspect it will soon fill again and you'll be back to square one. Can you post a screenshot of the setting you have that starts File Explorer in Search. I would start explorer and then select
F3 to search and although the history list does appear I can type straight away.

I don't see how to select Search as File Explorer is opened.

 

setting default view for Winodws Explorer Search Reasults

Thank you for the detailed response. To change the search result's view from content to list, we suggest following the steps below:

• Open the File Explorer and try to search for files.
• In the toolbar, open the View tab and click List
  to change the view.
• Once changed, close the File Explorer.
• Open the File Explorer again and try to search to see if the setting has been retained.

After performing the steps above, reply back to us so we can provide additional help.