diff --git a/conf/defaults.ini b/conf/defaults.ini
index 6fc4cf2e4de..4da3588bef2 100644
--- a/conf/defaults.ini
+++ b/conf/defaults.ini
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ concurrent_render_limit = 5
 #################################### Explore #############################
 [explore]
 # Enable the Explore section
-enabled = false
+enabled = true
 
 #################################### Internal Grafana Metrics ############
 # Metrics available at HTTP API Url /metrics
diff --git a/conf/sample.ini b/conf/sample.ini
index 0f1c02dc231..8b731e43bd9 100644
--- a/conf/sample.ini
+++ b/conf/sample.ini
@@ -429,7 +429,7 @@ log_queries =
 #################################### Explore #############################
 [explore]
 # Enable the Explore section
-;enabled = false
+;enabled = true
 
 #################################### Internal Grafana Metrics ##########################
 # Metrics available at HTTP API Url /metrics
diff --git a/pkg/setting/setting.go b/pkg/setting/setting.go
index 660a00ba41d..d1eca777004 100644
--- a/pkg/setting/setting.go
+++ b/pkg/setting/setting.go
@@ -718,7 +718,7 @@ func (cfg *Cfg) Load(args *CommandLineArgs) error {
 	AlertingNoDataOrNullValues = alerting.Key("nodata_or_nullvalues").MustString("no_data")
 
 	explore := iniFile.Section("explore")
-	ExploreEnabled = explore.Key("enabled").MustBool(false)
+	ExploreEnabled = explore.Key("enabled").MustBool(true)
 
 	panels := iniFile.Section("panels")
 	cfg.EnableAlphaPanels = panels.Key("enable_alpha").MustBool(false)