How to Add Tabs to Windows File Explorer With QTTabBar

June 2024 · 5 minute read

While using our internet browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, you can use tabs to switch between websites instead of navigating between windows. Do you ever wish you could do that with the Windows File Explorer?

We're almost spoiled by the tabs on our internet browsers and how they make navigation easy. Fortunately, you can replicate the same experience on your File Explorer too.

What Is QTTabBar?

QTTabBar is a third-party tool that you can install on your Windows system to add tabs to your File Explorer.

Since it’s just an extension, it doesn’t replace or change the way your File Explorer works in any way. QTTabBar just adds more functionality to your File Manager, letting you switch between tabs, just like how you do on your browser.

And the best part? It’s totally free.

How to Add Tabs to Windows File Explorer Using QTTabBar

Setting up QTTabBar is fairly simple if you want to try it out yourself. However, it does involve installing a third-party tool on your PC. Once you've installed it, the tool will automatically add tabs to your File Explorer.

Here’s how you can add tabs to your Windows File Explorer using QTTabBar:

Step 1: Download QTTabBar

Start by downloading QTTabBar and installing it on your system. On the download page, scroll down to find the latest version of the tool.

You'll see the release date in the brackets next to the relevant download link. As of this writing, the latest version is September 2019, so that's what we'll use for illustration.

Once you click on the link, it’ll automatically download a zip file to your system.

Next, right-click on the zip file and select Extract All to extract the content of the zip file.

Related: The Best Tools to Open RAR Files

Go to the folder where you just extracted the zip file and double-click on the setup file named QTTabBar. If you receive a Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prompt, click on More info and select Run anyway.

Step 2: Install QTTabBar

Once you launch the setup file, you’ll see the QTTabBar installation wizard on your screen. Click Next.

On the next screen, click Next again to start the installation. Wait for the installation process to complete. Once your installation completes, click on Close to exit the installation wizard.

Step 3: Open a new tab using QTTabBar

Once you've installed QTTabBar, it automatically adds the tab functionality to Windows File Explorer. The interface is similar to what you see on your browser, so there's no learning curve involved.

Once you open the Windows File Explorer, you'll see a tabbed section at the top with a plus (+) that lets you open new tabs.

Clicking on the plus sign launches a navigation window. Select the folder you want to open in a new tab and click OK.

You'll now see the tab added to your File Explorer and you can switch between them any time you want, just like how you do on your browser.

How to Customize Your File Explorer Using QTTabBar

Now that you know how to add tabs using to your File Explorer using QTTabBar, let's talk about how you can change the way they look. QTTabBar provides you with multiple customization options that you can use to personalize the look and feel of your File Explorer.

Say, for instance, you want a different look for the active tab, so it’s easier for you to figure out which tab you’re currently using. In that case, hover over the plus sign and right-click. From the options listed in the dropdown, select QTTabBar Options.

Doing this will open the QTTabBar Options dialog box. On the extreme left of the dialog box, you'll see a list of sections. Select Appearance to customize the look of the tabs on your File Explorer.

Under the Tab size section, you can change the width and height of your tabs. Under the Tab title text section, you have the option to change the font style and color. You can also change the alignment of the text and the offset of the tab icons.

The best part is that you have separate options for active and inactive tabs. Essentially, it allows you to choose between different styles and colors for your active and inactive tabs. This can help you quickly differentiate the tab you’re currently using from other tabs.

There are several other customization options other than the appearance, too. For instance, you can set new keyboard shortcuts or install plugins from within QTTabBar's interface.

How to Uninstall QTTabBar

QTTTabBar is a handy tool to have around. However, if you find it's a little too much for your liking, you can uninstall QTTabBar just like any other app installed on your PC. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Find QTTabBar in the list, right-click on it, and select Uninstall.

Follow the on-screen instructions, and that's it. You'll have uninstalled QTTabBar from your PC, and you'll no longer see tabs on your File Explorer.

Get Your File Explorer Tabbed

QTTabBar lets you add tabs to your File Explorer so you can switch between them, just like how you do on your browser. It helps you save time as you perform everyday tasks like copying or moving files to different folders because you no longer need to keep switching between windows.

QTTabBar also allows you to personalize the tabs on the File Explorer with a range of customization options for size, font, text color, etc. You can also specifically change the appearance of your active tab to easily distinguish it from the rest of the tabs. Of course, there are several other ways to change the look and feel of your Windows too.

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