Microsoft released the first feature update for Windows 11 version 22H2, also known as the 2022 Update. This update, delivered as a cumulative update for Windows 11, adds a number of new features, including the long-awaited File Explorer tabs. Microsoft has been teasing this feature for years, and it is now finally available to the general public with Windows 11. This new feature looks and feels like tabs on any modern web browser and allows users to navigate through multiple folders without having multiple windows open at the same time, making it an extremely welcome addition to any user. In this article we will teach you How to Fix Missing Tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer.
Everyone who installs the KB5019509 update should have access to File Explorer tabs. Unfortunately, some users have reported that File Explorer tabs are missing in Windows 11, despite having the most recent updates installed. In most cases, the problem is caused by a corrupted or incorrectly installed update, which can be easily remedied by reinstalling it. If you have corrupted system files, we highly recommend using the PC repair utility Reimage. It can detect and replace damaged system components without the need to reinstall the operating system. Below we have mention the steps to Fix Missing Tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer
How to Fix Missing Tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer
Update to Windows 11 22H2
To enable File Explorer tabs on your computer/laptop, you must install Windows 11 22H2. So, if you somehow missed the most recent update, here’s how to get Windows 11 22H2:
- To access the Settings menu, press Win + I.
- Select Windows Update from the left pane.
- If Windows notifies you that version 22H2 is available, click the Download & install button.
- Examine the Windows version
- If you see the message “No updates available,” you’re already running the most recent version. In this case, proceed to the solutions listed below.
Restart File Explorer
Because of a temporary glitch, tabs may be missing from Windows File Explorer. If any other File Explorer features are malfunctioning, you should restart it. Close File Explorer and launch Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Delete. To stop any related processes from running in the background, right-click Windows Explorer and select End Task. Close Task Manager, then launch File Explorer to see if the problem has been resolved.
Remove File Explorer Cache
To improve overall performance, every app on your computer stores cache files. However, if there are too many cache files or if these files become corrupted, you will encounter a variety of problems, including missing File Explorer tabs. To clear the cache files in File Explorer, follow these steps:
- Start File Explorer.
- Click the three-dots icon in the upper-right corner and then Options.
- Navigate to the General tab.
- Select the Clear option.
- Click OK > Apply.
- Clear the cache in File Explorer.
If you frequently have to go through the above process manually, you can use Storage Sense in Windows 11 to clean your caches.
Run the System File Checker
The System File Checker (or SFC) is a built-in Windows tool for repairing corrupted system files. If this is the cause of the missing tabs in File Explorer, running the tool should resolve the issue. Search for command prompt in the Start menu search bar and select Run as administrator. To run the command, type sfc/scannow and press Enter.
Reinstall Windows Updates
Because of an update failure, File Explorer’s tabs may still be missing after updating to Windows 11 22H2. In this case, reinstalling the update should resolve the issue.
- Go to Settings by right-clicking the Start button.
- Navigate to Windows Update > Update history.
- Uninstall updates can be found at the bottom of the page.
- Right-click the 22H2 update in the list of recently installed updates and select Uninstall.
- Reinstall the update as demonstrated above.
- Remove Windows 11 updates
This solution is applicable to recent updates. If you haven’t updated to Windows 11 22H2 in a while, you’ll need to load a restore point to revert your computer to the previous Windows version.
Final Words
After applying all this above solution and still stuck in the same issue than we recommend you to go to their official Microsoft support website and request your problem to be solved. Microsoft added new visible changes to Windows 11 version 22H2 (2022 Update), such as Smart App Control, Suggested Actions on Copy, Taskbar Overflow items, and a more easily clickable Search button on the Taskbar. The most appealing feature, by far, is a multi-tabbed File Explorer on top of the context-menu command bar.
It is a long-awaited feature that eliminates the need to open multiple File Explorer windows at the same time. Tabs have taken their place, providing a centralized view of all the folders you’re working in at the same time. Each tab has its own set of files and folders and can be opened and closed independently of the others. You can easily navigate from one tab to the next and quickly reshuffle the files and folders. When you close the main File Explorer window, all tabs vanish.
I hope you understand this article, How to Fix Missing Tabs in Windows 11 File Explorer.
