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Batch Reset of Windows 11 File Explorer

Anonymous
2025-02-20T06:43:17+00:00

Hi

Does someone know the batch code to reset all the settings of the Windows 11 File Explorer back to its default settings?

Or eventually the registry folders/ keys that have to be removed to have it back to default?

Thanks for your help.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Ramesh Srinivasan 79,305 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-02-20T08:12:52+00:00

    Hi Vincent, This is Ramesh.

    You can use the following Batch file to reset most Explorer settings, such as the saved folder views (including the desktop views), Quick access pins, recent items, favorites, and the settings in the "View" tab. There is no undo.

    ::Terminate the Explorer shell
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe

::Reset Quick access and favorites
del /a "%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations\f01b4d95cf55d32a.automaticDestinations-ms"
del /a "%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations\5f7b5f1e01b83767.automaticDestinations-ms"

::Reset folder views
reg delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU" /f
reg delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults" /f
reg delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\GlobalSettings\Sizer" /f
reg delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\NavPane" /f

::Reset View tab settings
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "Start_SearchFiles" /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ServerAdminUI" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "Hidden" /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ShowCompColor" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "HideFileExt" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "DontPrettyPath" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ShowInfoTip" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "HideIcons" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "MapNetDrvBtn" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "WebView" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "Filter" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ShowSuperHidden" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "SeparateProcess" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "AutoCheckSelect" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "IconsOnly" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ShowTypeOverlay" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ShowStatusBar" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "StoreAppsOnTaskbar" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ListviewAlphaSelect" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ListviewShadow" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "TaskbarAnimations" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ShowCortanaButton" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ReindexedProfile" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "StartMenuInit" /t REG_DWORD /d 13 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ShowSyncProviderNotifications" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "NavPaneShowAllFolders" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "ShowPreviewHandlers" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "Start_TrackProgs" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "Start_TrackDocs" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "LaunchTo" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "NavPaneExpandToCurrentFolder" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v "PersistBrowsers" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

::Clear recent items
del "%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\*.*" /a /q

::Start Explorer.exe
start explorer.exe
pause

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