On Windows 11 build 23466, you can enable a preview of the new header interface improvements for File Explorer, and in this guide, you will learn how.
The new header design overhaul is similar to the visuals you will find on the web browser, with navigation controls next to the address bar (and the search box on the right side). Also, the command bar will now appear under the address bar, blending with the rest of the background instead of the header. In addition, the buttons are also getting updated.
Also, as part of the address bar improvements, the experience has been updated and no longer shows the green progress bar. Instead, the tab’s icon will spin, indicating that the location is loading. The icons that appear at the beginning of the address bar are now monochrome icons. Also, the address bar and search box now include rounded corners.
The new File Explorer header interface changes are currently hidden features that you must enable manually (via @PhantomOcean3) using a third-party tool called “ViveTool” created by Rafael Rivera and Lucas on GitHub, to enable the option on your computer.
This guide will teach you the steps to turn on this new feature on Windows 11.
Enable new header UI for File Explorer on Windows 11
To enable the new header interface for File Explorer, use these steps:
Open GitHub website.
Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to enable the new File Explorer header design.
Double-click the zip folder to open it with File Explorer.
Click the Extract all button.
Click the Extract button.
Copy the path to the folder.
Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to navigate to the ViveTool folder and press Enter:
cd c:folderpathViveTool-v0.x.x
In the command, remember to change the path to the folder with your path.
Type the following command to enable the new File Explorer header design on Windows 11 and press Enter:
vivetool /enable /id:40950262
Restart the computer.
Once you complete the steps, File Explorer will load the new header design with the new command bar at the bottom of the address bar and navigation controls on Windows 11.
File Explorer new header design
If you change your mind, you can revert the changes with the same instructions, but in step 10, make sure to run the vivetool /disable /id:40950262 command and then restart the device.
Source: Pureinfotech
