How to “Open File Location” in a New Window

Introduction

When working with files on a computer, you may need to locate their file location in Windows Explorer. However, by default, when you right-click on a file and choose “Open File Location,” the folder opens in the same window. This can be inconvenient as you may lose your place in the previous folder. In this blog post, we will show you how to “Open File Location” in a new window in Windows 10.

Method 1: Shift + Right-click

The easiest and quickest way to open a file location in a new window is to use the Shift + Right-click keyboard shortcut. Here’s how to do it:

1. Locate the file you want to open in Windows Explorer.
2. Hold down the Shift key and right-click on the file.
3. From the context menu, select “Open File Location in New Window.”

This will open the file location in a new window, allowing you to easily navigate back to the previous folder.

Method 2: Ctrl + Shift + Enter

Another way to open a file location in a new window is to use the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keyboard shortcut. This method is a bit more complex than the first one but can be useful when you are working with multiple files. Here’s how to do it:

1. Locate the file you want to open in Windows Explorer.
2. Hold down the Shift key and right-click on the file.
3. From the context menu, select “Copy as Path.”
4. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
5. Press Ctrl + V to paste the file path into the dialog box.
6. Hold down the Ctrl + Shift keys and press Enter.

This will open the file location in a new window, allowing you to easily navigate back to the previous folder.

Method 3: Create a Shortcut

If you frequently need to open file locations in a new window, you can create a shortcut on your desktop. Here’s how to do it:

1. Locate the file you want to open in Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click on the file and select “Create Shortcut.”
3. Right-click on the shortcut and select “Properties.”
4. In the “Target” field, add the following text at the end of the file path: /select, %1
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Now, every time you double-click on the shortcut, the file location will open in a new window.

Method 4: Registry Edit

If you are comfortable editing the Windows registry, you can use this method to open file locations in a new window by default. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTlnkfileshellexContextMenuHandlers{BABB0C82-20FD-4A18-9CFF-4A568612F99E}
4. Right-click on the key and select “Export.”
5. Save the exported key to a safe location.
6. Right-click on the key again and select “Delete.”
7. Restart your computer.

This will open file locations in a new window by default when you right-click on a file and select “Open File Location.”

Method 5: Third-Party Software

If you prefer not to edit the Windows registry, you can use third-party software to open file locations in a new window. One such software is “Open in New Window” by NirSoft. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download and install “Open in New Window” from the NirSoft website.
2. Locate the file you want to open in Windows Explorer.
3. Right-click on the file and select “Open in New Window.”

This will open the file location in a new window.

Conclusion

Opening file locations in a new window can save you time and frustration when working with files on your computer. Whether you prefer to use keyboard shortcuts or third-party software, there are several ways to achieve this. Try out these methods and see which one works best for you.

To open the file location, press Enter or click while holding down the Shift key.