Free File Explorer Alternatives

The best free alternative to File Explorer is Double Commander, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to File Explorer and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to File Explorer are Total Commander, Files, FreeCommander and Q-Dir.

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File Explorer alternatives are mainly File Managers but may also be File Search Utilities or FTP Clients.  Other popular filters includes Windows + Open Source and Windows + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of File Explorer.
File Explorer iconFile Explorer
  231
  • ...

Manage files effortlessly with a graphical interface offering offline access, dark mode, ad-free usage, and zip support, optimized for Windows.

More about File Explorer
More about File Explorer
File Explorer alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
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  1. UltraExplorer icon
    UltraExplorer icon

    UltraExplorer

     17 likes
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    UltraExplorer is a Windows Explorer replacement that will change the way you think about file management. Other Explorer replacement applications duplicate the same old paradigm introduced by Microsoft in Windows 95.

    80 UltraExplorer alternatives
    Customize it any way you like it!

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    UltraExplorer Features

    1.  Thumbnails
    2.  Folder Size
    3.  Multiple Browser Tabs
    4.  Tree view
    5.  Miller columns
    Discontinued

    The official website is no longer available. Last version, 2.0.3.0, released in July 2009, can be still downloaded from SoftPedia.

    UltraExplorer iconFile Explorer Icon

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  2. Xfe icon
    Xfe icon

    Xfe

     21 likes
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    X File Explorer (Xfe) is an MS-Explorer or Commander like file manager for X. It is based on the popular, but discontinued, X Win Commander, originally developed by Maxim Baranov.

    74 Xfe alternatives
    Xfe screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Xfce

    Xfe Features

    1.  Dual Pane Support
    Xfe screenshot 1
    Xfe screenshot 2
    +3
    Xfe screenshot 3
    Xfe iconFile Explorer Icon

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  4. cryo icon
    cryo icon

    cryo

     4 likes
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    cryo is a visual file manager with free encrypted peer to peer file transfer capabilities and dual-pane mode.

    20 cryo alternatives
    cryo screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    cryo Features

    1.  Tabbed interface
    2.  Dual Pane Support
    cryo screenshot 1
    cryo screenshot 2
    +1
    cryo screenshot 3
    cryo iconFile Explorer Icon

    cryo VS File Explorer

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  5. FileVoyager icon
    FileVoyager icon

    FileVoyager

     7 likes
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    FileVoyager is a freeware Orthodox file manager (OFM) for Microsoft Windows. OFM’s are file managers using two panels of disks browsers.

    53 FileVoyager alternatives
    Main interface with one panel displaying 3D thumbnails

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Main interface with one panel displaying 3D thumbnails for mp3 tracks
    Main interface with one panel displaying an embedded viewer playing an audio track
    +8
    Standalone viewer playing an audio track
    FileVoyager iconFile Explorer Icon

    FileVoyager VS File Explorer

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  6. SharpEnviro icon
    SharpEnviro icon

    SharpEnviro

     14 likes
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    SharpEnviro (or SharpE) is an open source shell replacement system for Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. When using SharpEnviro the default Windows desktop is replaced by a new and more powerful desktop environment.

    23 SharpEnviro alternatives
    Default Setup

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    3.  Dark Mode
    Multiple toolbars
    Discontinued

    As of december 2011 the SharpEnviro project is no longer under active development. All files provided come without any warranty or support! It is uncertain if or how well the previously released versions of SharpEnviro will work with any new or updated Windows system after Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

    SharpEnviro iconFile Explorer Icon

    SharpEnviro VS File Explorer

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  7. emelFM2 icon
    emelFM2 icon

    emelFM2

     6 likes
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    It is a file manager for UNIX-like operating systems. It uses a simple and efficient interface pioneered by Norton Commander, in the 1980s.

    36 emelFM2 alternatives
    emelFM2 screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Xfce
    Discontinued

    "The latest source-code release is: emelfm2-0.9.1.tar.bz2 (1189 kb) – 2014-02-18"

    emelFM2 iconFile Explorer Icon

    emelFM2 VS File Explorer

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  9. Nemo Documents icon
    Nemo Documents icon

    Nemo Documents

     4 likes
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    An intuitive file manager for Windows and Linux (Alpha version) that displays your files in a calendar-like time view.

    52 Nemo Documents alternatives
    On Windows

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux

    Nemo Documents Features

    1.  File Organizer
    On Linux
    Nemo Documents iconFile Explorer Icon

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  10. ExplorerXP icon
    ExplorerXP icon

    ExplorerXP

     11 likes
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    ExplorerXP is a very fast, small, compact and innovative FREEWARE file manager for Windows 2000/XP. Unlike the regular Windows Explorer, it displays the total size of each folder and allows you to browse multiple folders from a tabbed interface.

    49 ExplorerXP alternatives
    ExplorerXP screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Discontinued

    Old and discontinued, important features such as right click menu not working in Windows 10

    ExplorerXP iconFile Explorer Icon

    ExplorerXP VS File Explorer

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  11. File Explorer Pro icon
    File Explorer Pro icon

    File Explorer Pro

     2 likes
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    File Explorer Pro is a free, secure tool that helps you find file faster, manage files easily, powerful file manager with a clean, and intuitive interface. You can easily find how many files & apps you have on your device at a glance instantly.

    66 File Explorer Pro alternatives
    File Explorer Pro screenshot 1
    File Explorer Pro screenshot 2
    +5
    File Explorer Pro screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android

    File Explorer Pro Features

    1.  Supports RAR files
    2.  File Storage
    3.  Support for FTP
    File Explorer Pro iconFile Explorer Icon

    File Explorer Pro VS File Explorer

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  12. Tux Commander icon
    Tux Commander icon

    Tux Commander

     15 likes
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    Tux Commander is a windowed file manager with 2 panels side by side similar to Double Commander, Total Commander or Midnight Commander.

    94 Tux Commander alternatives
    Tux Commander - Main window

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Xfce

    Tux Commander Features

    1.  Dual Pane Support
    2.  Support for SFTP
    3.  Support for FTP
    Simple Connection Manager
    Discontinued

    The project is no longer developed. Last version, 0.6.70, released in November 2009, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    Tux Commander iconFile Explorer Icon

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