Windows 11 File Explorer is a disaster. How to get rid of it? Only by abandoning Windows?

Paulo, thanks a lot !

I will check these alternatives.

It's a shame that MS has demoted File Explorer, a tool we need every minute of every day.

1] DISAPPEARANCE OF MENUS WITH ITEMS ACCESSIBLE BY KEYSTROKES

Holding down the Shift key when right-clicking makes this change more tolerable. You can also revert to the old right-click menu with a registry change (although I would totally agree if you say this should be an option and not something that requires a registry setting).

2] THE OPTION "Also apply this template to all subfolders" (Folder->Properties->Customize) DOESN'T WORK.

Yes, this has been broken for a good year and a half or more. I've reported it over and over again here and on Feedback Hub and even created a video to demonstrate the issue. I don't understand why this issue has not been fixed or even added to the "known issues" list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5eEFNZEWZg

Are there any good alternatives to Microsoft's File Explorer?

There are many alternative file managers, some very good, but none will look and feel like File Explorer. A couple of standouts are Directory Opus and XYplorer, but there are many others.

Edit: Files (https://files.community) looks and feels like Explorer. It's relatively new, compared to better known file managers, so time will tell if it performs well and is reliable. Being an early adopter always comes with some risk.

Is it better to abandon Windows and choose another operating system?

I don't think so, but I've used PCs before Windows even existed, so I'm comfortable at the command line and any version of the GUI. I generally appreciate the strides forward with each version (even if it comes with some backwards steps for a while). I would say, at this time, I would stick with Windows 10 mainly because File Explorer is such as mess in Windows 11 (especially for those who care about things like setting the folder type).

One excellent new feature, however, that I hadn't noticed: the ability to open tabs in the same window.
What a pity to spoil the whole thing by removing the ability to manage folders and files by accessing menus and menu items via the keyboard.

The new file explorer is awful. Ignoring that the UI is garbage, I can't even keep my folders at the top of the search like use to be the default. I am livid. Stop giving us automatic updates that make things worse!

Paulo, thank you again.

"you could provide feedback using the Feedback Hub app"

Yes I will, as soon as I can get time to do so.

LesFerch, many thanks to you too.

Context menu.

"Holding down the Shift key when right-clicking makes this change more tolerable."

Indeed ! I didn't know about this possibility. This will save me a lot of time. Many thanks.

However, if in the selected folder I want to create a new file by selecting the type from a list (Rich Text Format, Bitmap image, Microsoft Word document ...) it is necessary to open the context menu in a blank area . But, such a blank area does not exist if the open folder is very full (see my screenshot). With a Main menu this problem would not exist.

I don't rule out the option of editing the registry, but I'm generally reluctant to edit it. It's a very sensitive organ and I don't control it well. These two elements together make me very cautious. If an upcoming W11 update changes registry entries related to the change made, it may cause problems that I would have a hard time dealing with.

Main menu

Sometimes a reduced Main menu appears on a white bar. (See screenshot). I upgraded to W11 only 2 days ago. I have not yet found under what circumstances this small menu appears. It is quite rare.

Toolbar

I don't know how to remove this toolbar (with scissors and Co) which I have nothing to do with and which uselessly takes up about 1/15 of my screen.

THE OPTION "Also apply this template to all subfolders" (Folder->Properties->Customize) DOESN'T WORK.

I watched your video. That's exactly what I observe. We agree. Microsoft's attitude is incomprehensible.

Worse: I don't even ask for changes depending on the nature of the files. If I could have the display of all my folders as on my screenshot I would be enough satisfied with it. But even that is not transmitted to the subfolders either by assigning this display to General Items or Documents.

I would have to configure my folders one by one but I have a very complex tree structure.

It is madness.