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OliverDavis's avatar
OliverDavis
Iron Contributor
Sep 18, 2026

When using trackpad gestures to open a folder in Windows 11 it opens in the same window.

When using a trackpad to double-tap or use a gesture to open a folder in a new window, the folder sometimes opens directly in the current window, replacing the current view, instead of opening in a n...
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Emily2002's avatar
Emily2002
Brass Contributor
Sep 19, 2026

A normal touchpad double-tap follows File Explorer’s folder-opening setting; it does not specifically request a new window. If you use a custom gesture, that gesture needs to send the appropriate command reliably.

If you want every folder to open in a separate window:

  1. Open File Explorer > … > Options.
  2. Under General > Browse folders, select Open each folder in its own window.
  3. Click Apply, then test opening a folder with an ordinary double-tap.

If you only want a new window occasionally, right-click the folder and choose Open in new window. On a touchpad, a two-finger tap normally opens the right-click menu. This avoids depending on a custom gesture.

If ordinary double-tapping still behaves differently from double-clicking with the mouse, temporarily disable any custom three- or four-finger action under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad and test again. If that fixes it, reconfigure the gesture. Otherwise, check the laptop manufacturer’s support page for touchpad driver updates.

A Precision touchpad does not have a separate Explorer setting for opening folders. Confirming the folder setting and bypassing the custom gesture should come before treating this as a Windows bug.