File Explorer Alternatives

File Explorer is described as '(Windows 10), previously known as Windows Explorer, is a file manager application that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows 95 onwards. It is sometimes referred to as the Windows shell, explorer' and is a very popular File Manager in the file management category. There are more than 100 alternatives to File Explorer for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, BSD and PortableApps.com. The best alternative is Double Commander, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like File Explorer are Total Commander, XnView MP, Q-Dir and FreeCommander.

File Explorer alternatives are mainly File Managers but may also be FTP Clients or Image Viewers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of File Explorer.

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File Explorer

216

Free • Proprietary
File Manager
Windows

File Explorer (Windows 10), previously known as Windows Explorer, is a file manager application that is included with...

Learn more about File Explorer

Double Commander
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
File Sync Tool
Windows
Linux
BSD
123 alternatives to Double Commander
Double Commander is a cross-platform open source file manager with two panels side by side. It is inspired by Total Commander and features some new ideas.
Suggest and vote on features
Double Commander Features
1. Batch Rename FilesDouble Commander supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDouble Commander can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. PortableDouble Commander can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. Ad-freeDouble Commander doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Dark ModeDouble Commander supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Dual Pane Support
Configurable
Two-panel file manager
Folder Sync
TC plug-in's support
Multiplatform
Multiple Files Renaming
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Multi-tabs
Plug-ins
Double Commander vs File Explorer
Almost everyone thinks Double Commander is a great alternative to File Explorer.
Guest
It tries too hard to be just a Total Commander replacement. Ultimately it feels like a console interface file manager rather than a GUI file manager with a lot of simple mechanisms in modern GUI-based file managers (not just Windows Explorer!) incredibly hard to replicate.
Negative comment• ago

1

Guest
not contain columns for video settings (video length)
Negative comment• ago

-8

RemovedUser
Why 2 windows in one? I just want a directory tree with a pane showing the contents of that directory.
Negative comment• ago

-78
Total Commander
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
File Manager
FTP Client
File Search Utility
Windows
Windows Mobile
Android
Android Tablet
163 alternatives to Total Commander
Total Commander is a Shareware file manager for Windows.
Suggest and vote on features
Total Commander Features
1. Batch Rename FilesTotal Commander supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
2. LightweightTotal Commander consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Dark ModeTotal Commander supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. PortableTotal Commander can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Dual Pane Support
Customizable
Support for FTP
Tabbed interface
Quick search
Directory sync
Split-screen view
ZIP File Mounting
Multiple languages
Built-in player
Total Commander vs File Explorer
Most users think Total Commander is a great alternative to File Explorer.
XnView MP
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
Image Viewer
Photo Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
124 alternatives to XnView MP
XnViewMP is a free software to view, organise, convert graphics and photos files or to create slide show, contact sheet, HTML pages.
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XnView MP Features
1. Batch EditingXnView MP allows you to select multiple items (tasks, files, images etc) and edit their properties all at once.
2. Ad-freeXnView MP doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Works OfflineXnView MP can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. PortableXnView MP can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Batch Rename FilesXnView MP supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
Media library
Batch image manipulation
Thumbnails
Sorting by tags
Batch processing
Multi Platform
Photo effects
Cross-Platform
Watermark images
Retouch photos
XnView MP vs File Explorer
pros, cons and recent comments
BCRTVKCS
XnView MP is good for photos not a for files
Negative comment• ago

0

endolith
This isn't a file explorer, it's a photo viewer
Negative comment• ago

0

Vintagehotdog
It's for photos. It works well for photos.
Negative comment• ago

1
Q-Dir
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
File Manager
Windows
PortableApps.com
89 alternatives to Q-Dir
Q-Dir makes your files and folder easy to manage. Fast and easy access, with an amazing Quadro-View (4 panes) technique. You dont have to renounce the usual, Drag and Drop, all Views, and other functions of your system. No!
Suggest and vote on features
Q-Dir Features
1. PortableQ-Dir can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Split-screen view
Customizable
Drag and Drop
Search Bar
Built-in themes
Q-Dir vs File Explorer
Most users think Q-Dir is a great alternative to File Explorer.
sharevari
The only file manager I know that let you lay out or tile more than two columns side-by-side. Unfortunately it keeps getting caught as malware by Windows Defender.
Positive comment• ago

1

Drconfused
Having up to 4 windows for file exploration and multitab instances in each is a huge benefit to productivity when dealing with many files over a system of folders.
Positive comment• ago

0
FreeCommander
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
File Manager
File Search Utility
File Renamer
Windows
PortableApps.com
106 alternatives to FreeCommander
FreeCommander is an easy-to-use alternative to the standard windows file manager. The program helps you with daily work in Windows. Here you can find all the necessary functions to manage your data stock.
Suggest and vote on features
FreeCommander Features
1. Batch Rename FilesFreeCommander supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
2. Built-in viewerFreeCommander shows you a quick preview of an image, page or file in supported formats.
3. PortableFreeCommander can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Configurable
Tabbed interface
Folder Size
Dual Pane Support
Directory sync
Teracopy integration
Explorer-like
Flat view
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Drag and Drop
FreeCommander vs File Explorer
Most users think FreeCommander is a great alternative to File Explorer.
QTTabBar
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Windows
Windows Explorer
48 alternatives to QTTabBar
QTTabBar is an extension for Windows Explorer that brings tabbed browsing to Microsoft's file browser. It comes with a number of nifty features including a favorites function for launching folders and applications, groupings of folders that can be opened together, tooltip...
Suggest and vote on features
QTTabBar Features
1. Windows Explorer ExtensionQTTabBar can extend Windows Explorer in various ways, for example add context menu options, etc..
Tabbed browsing
File preview
Subfolder menu
Extensive customisability
QTTabBar vs File Explorer
This alternative is disputed. QTTabBar is still a legitimate alternative to File Explorer, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Netverse
Just like the description says, it is an extension, not a file manager.
Negative comment• ago

2

braydenprice30
This is an extension, a great extension, but not an alternative.
Negative comment• ago

0
XYplorer
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
File Manager
Windows
88 alternatives to XYplorer
XYplorer is a file manager for Windows. It features tabbed browsing, a powerful file search, a versatile preview, a highly customizable interface, optional dual pane, scripting engine, and a large array of unique ways to efficiently automate frequently recurring tasks.
Suggest and vote on features
XYplorer Features
1. PortableXYplorer can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. Support for scriptingXYplorer supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
3. Batch Rename FilesXYplorer supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
4. File TaggingXYplorer can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
Tabbing
Dual Pane Support
Folder Size
Customizable
Tagging
Custom Menus
Prevents accidental move to folder tree
Batch processing
Flat view
XYplorer vs File Explorer
Almost everyone thinks XYplorer is a great alternative to File Explorer.
Guest
I've used only the free version, and its filled of a lot useful functions and tools.
Positive comment• ago

3

Guest
Color-coding is a can't-do-without feature once you see it in action.
Positive comment• ago

1
Directory Opus
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
File Manager
FTP Client
File Sync Tool
Windows
82 alternatives to Directory Opus
Directory Opus provides a complete replacement for Explorer with far more power and functionality than any other file manager available today.
Suggest and vote on features
Directory Opus Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDirectory Opus can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Batch Rename FilesDirectory Opus supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
Dual Pane Support
File preview
Integrated Search
Folder Size
Assignement of comments to files
Flat view
Edit metadata
Tagging
File conversion
Directory Opus vs File Explorer
Most users think Directory Opus is a great alternative to File Explorer.
Guest
All the FE is and much, much more
Positive comment• ago

0

Guest
It has all the features that File Explorer refuses to add.
Positive comment• ago

0
Dolphin File Manager
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
FTP Client
File Renamer
Linux
KDE
Flathub
Windows
70 alternatives to Dolphin File Manager
Dolphin is a file manager for KDE focusing on usability. Has three view modes: Icon, Detail and it used to have Column View like in Finder (it is not available in current version due to problems with maintaibility). Supports FTP, SCP and other protocols. Highly configurable.
Suggest and vote on features
Dolphin File Manager Features
1. LightweightDolphin File Manager consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. File TaggingDolphin File Manager can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDolphin File Manager can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Ad-freeDolphin File Manager doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Batch Rename FilesDolphin File Manager supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
6. Built-in viewerDolphin File Manager shows you a quick preview of an image, page or file in supported formats.
7. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
8. Works OfflineDolphin File Manager can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
9. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
Split-screen view
File preview
Built-in terminal emulation
Network protocols
Tree view
KDE Plasma integration
Thumbnails
Image Preview
SSH
Remote File Access
Dolphin File Manager vs File Explorer
pros, cons and recent comments
aronkvh
It's amazing on Linux and pretty good on Windows. It's pretty, fast, customizable and has a lot of features.
Positive comment• ago

0

tibi97427
Dolphin is for linux, not for Windows.
Negative comment• ago

-1
Explorer++
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Windows
PortableApps.com
86 alternatives to Explorer++
Explorer++ is a free file manager for Windows. Available on Windows XP and above, it features the same familiar interface as Windows Explorer, while introducing several enhancements and improvements for a much richer file browsing experience.
Suggest and vote on features
Explorer++ Features
1. PortableExplorer++ can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Tabbed interface
Explorer++ vs File Explorer
Most users think Explorer++ is a great alternative to File Explorer.
Guest
I enjoy this Explorer. I would say it's the best Explorer who exist.
Positive comment• ago

0

Guest
Explorer++ has better features than Windows built-in file manager. Xplorer2 and XYplorer are both better than Explorer++.
Positive comment• ago

1