How to Enable the New File Explorer Header UI on Windows 11

Windows 11 insider preview build 23466 introduces an exciting new header design for File Explorer. Resembling web browsers, this enhanced interface features navigation controls next to the address bar and a relocated command bar. To experience these improvements, follow our comprehensive guide to enable the new header UI on Windows 11.

Enhance your File Explorer experience with the seamlessly integrated command bar and updated buttons of the new header design. The address bar has also undergone improvements, now displaying monochrome icons and rounded corners. Say goodbye to the green progress bar – the tab’s icon will now spin to indicate loading.

SEE ALSO: How to Disable Home or Quick Access in Windows 11?

Enable the new File Explorer Header UI in Windows 11

Remember, you need to join the Windows Insider program to get Windows 11 Insider build 23466. We suggest you do not use your regular PC for joining the Windows Insider program as the insider builds can be less stable and buggy.

Please note that enabling the new File Explorer header UI requires a manual process. We will be using “ViveTool,” a third-party tool developed by Rafael Rivera and Lucas, available on GitHub, to enable this feature.

To enable the new header UI for File Explorer on Windows 11, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and Extract ViveTool on your PC

First of all, visit the GitHub website and download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file. After that, right-click the downloaded zip file and select the “Extract All…” option.

Provide the path to extract the zip file and click “Extract“.

Step 2: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

After you have extracted the ViveTool to a folder, it’s time to start the Command prompt in the same folder. Make sure to copy the path of the folder where you have extracted the ViveTool. You also need to make sure to open the Command Prompt as administrator to avoid errors while enabling the new File Explorer header UI in Windows 11.

Now, search for “command prompt” or “cmd” on Start and right-click on the top result. From the options select “Run as administrator” to open Command Prompt with elevated privileges.

Step 3: Enable the New UI for File Explorer in Windows 11

Navigate to the ViveTool folder by entering the following command:

cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.x.x

Replace “c:\folder\path” with the actual path to the ViveTool folder.

Finally, it’s time to enable the new File Explorer header UI on Windows 11. So, execute the following command in the Command Prompt (we just opened in the previous step):

vivetool /enable /id:40950262

Make sure to restart your computer to apply the changes effectively.

Once the process is complete, you will enjoy the new header UI in File Explorer, featuring the updated command bar beneath the address bar and convenient navigation controls.

Step 4: Reverting the Changes

In case you are not satisfied with the new UI of File Explorer, you can always go back. To revert the changes, follow the same steps up to Step 2, and use the following command:

vivetool /disable /id:40950262

Finally, restart your PC to disable the new UI for File Explorer in Windows 11.

Enjoy the New File Explorer UI in Windows 11

As explained in the tutorial above, you can easily enable the new header UI for File Explorer on Windows 11 and experience enhanced design and improved functionality. Remember, you need to be running Windows 11 insider preview build 23466 or later for this trick to work. In case you are not happy with the new design, there is also a way to go back. You can also check command prompt tricks here.

Hope you liked this tutorial. In case you have any issues following the steps, feel free to write them in the comments below. You may also like to subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates via email.