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Fix Windows 11 Adding File Explorer to Folder Names in Taskbar

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users notice that Windows 11 automatically appends the text '- File Explorer' to the names of open folders when hovering over the taskbar preview, causing confusion about whether the actual folders were renamed.

Product: Windows File Explorer
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Hovering over the File Explorer icon on the Windows 11 taskbar to view open folder previews.
Observed behavior: The window title in the taskbar preview displays the folder path followed by '- File Explorer' (e.g., 'C:\Data\Credit Cards - File Explorer'), even though the actual folder name on the drive remains unchanged.

Before you start

Before proceeding, click into the folder and check the address bar at the top of the window to verify that your actual folder name has not been permanently altered.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Folder Path and Restart Windows Explorer

This resolves temporary visual UI glitches in the taskbar without altering any of your actual system files.

In most cases, Windows 11 is simply appending the application name to the window title for context. Restarting the core Windows Explorer process can refresh the taskbar UI and remove stuck labels.

Verify the Real Name

Open the affected folder and check the main address bar at the top of the screen to confirm the folder's real name is intact.

Open Task Manager

Right-click on the Windows Start button and select 'Task Manager' from the context menu.

Locate Windows Explorer

Scroll through the 'Processes' tab until you find 'Windows Explorer' under the 'Windows processes' section.

Restart the Process

Right-click 'Windows Explorer' and select 'Restart'. Your taskbar will briefly disappear and reappear, refreshing the folder previews.

Taskbar Refresh: It is normal for your desktop icons and taskbar to flash or temporarily disappear for a few seconds while the process restarts.

Solution 2

Install Windows and OneDrive Updates

Apply this solution if the behavior began shortly after making changes to your OneDrive backup configurations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Did Windows 11 permanently rename my folders?

No. The '- File Explorer' text is only appended to the window title displayed in the taskbar preview. The actual folder name on your hard drive remains completely unchanged.

Why does OneDrive cause File Explorer display bugs?

When OneDrive updates its backup paths or sync statuses, it temporarily interacts with Windows Explorer's background processes. This synchronization can sometimes cause the UI to glitch and redundantly display the app name in the taskbar.

Will this issue appear in Windows 10?

While similar visual glitches can occur in Windows 10, this specific taskbar preview appending behavior is most commonly reported by users running newer builds of Windows 11.

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