Last Updated on July 13, 2026
Starting with Windows 11, File Explorer now has the ability to open multiple tabs like you can with your web browser so you can toggle back and forth between different folders or drives without needing to open a new File Explorer window. Even Notepad and PowerShell have this feature built in. But unlike your web browser or Notepad, when you close File Explorer, it will not save your open tabs for next time you open the app. Fortunately, Microsoft has realized that many people want this feature and are now including it with Windows. In this article, we will be showing you how to make Windows File Explorer remember open tabs on reboot or login.
If you are like most people, then you have multiple File Explorer tabs open at the same time to make it easier to manage your files and folders just like you do when keeping multiple webpages open in tabs with your web browser. So it would be nice to be able to restore those File Explorer tabs when you log back into your computer.
Configuring File Explorer Options
1. Open the Folder Options Menu
To configure the option to have File Explorer remember open tabs on reboot or login, you will need to open File Explorer and go to the Folder Options. You can do so by clicking on the ellipsis (…) located directly in the top command toolbar. Then choose Options from the bottom of the drop-down menu. This opens the legacy configuration window.
2. Modify the View Tab Settings
Next, you will need to go to the View tab located at the top of the new dialog box. Scroll down the advanced settings list and check the box that says Restore previous folder windows at logon. You will most likely have this option for File Explorer even if you are not on the correct build for the feature to work perfectly. Click the Apply button to save your changes.
Adjusting Windows Sign-in Settings
1. Navigate to Account Settings
If your open tabs are not getting reloaded automatically, then you may also want to change a core system behavior. Go to the main Windows settings app and click on Accounts. From there, select the Sign-in options menu. This section controls exactly how your profile behaves during the boot sequence.
2. Enable Restartable Apps
Scroll down until you find the toggle switch for Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign in. Turn this setting to the On position. You most likely do not need to do this on the newest builds. It is just another solid option you can try if things are not working the way they should.
Testing the Tab Restoration
1. Leave the Application Open
To have File Explorer actually remember and reload your open tabs, you will need to leave File Explorer open when shutting down or logging off your computer. Closing the application manually wipes the temporary session cache. Otherwise it will not work. Microsoft designed the system to only recover applications interrupted by the shutdown process.
2. Reboot Your Computer
Restart your machine to test the new configuration. Log back into your Windows profile. File Explorer will launch automatically and restore every single tab you had open. It could be possible that Windows will restore your tabs even after closing File Explorer in future updates so look out for that.
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