There is nothing you need to do to activate the tabs in File Explorer, as long as you've installed the Windows 11 2022 Update and its subsequent updates released by Microsoft up to November 2022.

One of File Explorer's largest limitations is the inability to remember tabs or open preselect pages. This simple script will help you fix that and open several File Explorer tabs upon launch.

To restore Tabs in File Explorer after Restart in Windows 11, enable the 'Restore previous folder windows at logon' setting in Folder Options.

The addition of tabs to File Explorer in Windows 11 allows for multiple folders to be open in one window. The company first started testing tabs in Windows 10 apps, under a feature named Sets.

You cannot select and move a tab or multiple tabs from one File Explorer window of Windows 11 to another. You can only drag a single tab out at a time and open it in a new window.

Build 25290 also includes a hidden feature that lets you drag out a tab from the File Explorer to open it in a new window.

The latest Windows 11 build from the Dev Channel contains much-needed improvements for File Explorer's tabs. It is now significantly easier to move and drag out tabs between different windows.

Windows 11 added a new feature in the form of tabs in File Explorer. It lets you open multiple instances of File Explorer within the same window, where you can open different folders, similar to ...

Now, when you tick the “Restore previous folder windows at logon” option in File Explorer’s settings, it will remember all your opened tabs and restore them when you log back into Windows.

A post on the Windows Insider Blog explains that Build 25136 is testing a File Explorer browser with tabs so users can jump back and forth across folders without popping open a new window.