File Explorer icon
File Explorer icon

File Explorer

 231 likes

Manage your files using a graphical interface with offline capabilities, no registration, zip support, and a lightweight design. Enjoy features like dark mode and ad-free usage on Windows. Known as Explorer, it helps present the taskbar and desktop elements since Windows 95.

File Explorer screenshot 1

License model

  • FreeProprietary

Country of Origin

  • US flagUnited States

Platforms

  • Windows  Built-in
2.5 / 5 Avg rating (12)
231likes
11comments

Features

Suggest and vote on features

Properties

  1.  Lightweight

Features

  1.  Windows Compatible
  2.  Built-in Image viewer
  3.  Dark Mode
  4.  File Compression
  5.  No registration required
  6.  Ad-free
  7.  Supports Zip files
  8.  Works Offline
  9.  Bundled with Windows
  10.  Tabbed interface
  11.  Graphical User Interface
  12.  File Search
  13.  Virtual Disk
  14.  File Storage
  15.  File Renaming
  16.  Folder Size
  17.  Disc Burner

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Comments and Reviews

   
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Top Positive Comment
Quietus
Mar 30, 2016
4

The built-in file manager has been improved in a number of ways with the release of Windows 8 and Windows 10. The keyboard shortcut for creating folders is especially useful (CTRL+SHIFT+N), cannot believe it took this long! File transfers have also been outperforming stand-alone utilities and the UI gives a nice bit of detailed information. The user interface overall is much more streamlined and doesn't show information you don't need, which makes it easy to focus on your current task.

I still need additional software for things like advanced renaming and checksummed file transfers, features I only occasionally use.

Also wish Clover would work properly in order to get tabs back, alternatives don't seem to be as polished.

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Top Negative Comment
Thunder Z
Sep 10, 2019
6

Imagine not being able to scroll while dragging files. Imagine not being able to create a folder based on the files you've selected. Imagine not being able to see multiple directories side by side. Imagine not being able to set folder specific views. Imagine not being able to add tags and colors to your folders/files. Imagine a slow, inaccurate search field that hasn't changed in a decade. File explorer is behind both linux's and MacOSX (especially macs) file explorers. Basically hasn't changed in over 20 years and it's depressing.

This is peak Microsoft

ab1
Jun 17, 2021

Behind all Linux apps? You're ridiculous.

ahmed52
Jan 3, 2022

it is lmao file explorer is trash compered to linux file manger

ab1
Jan 6, 2022

It only tells that you don't know how bad Linux managers are... Can you name that manager?

Asumeh
Jan 13, 2025
0

File Explorer is baked into explorer.exe, which is the main process that allows for desktop icons, the taskbar, the desktop wallpaper, and this file manager to function. There's no use trying to edit that process as that will merely break your Windows computer in an instant. Especially considering that applications call forth File Explorer when it comes to opening, saving, or uploading files, you basically can't replace it. I honestly can't see myself installing another file manager to use instead of this, as it'll just waste space; I'd like to be proven wrong, however.

At least on the bright side, it works, that's for sure. And it finally has tabs (since April 2022). (That's why it's 3 stars and not 1 of course...)

ahmed52
Jan 3, 2022
-2

mix of basic and trash

ab1
Jun 17, 2021
0

Okay mix of image viewer, disk usage utility and file manager. They had some questionable moves lately.

It has many good features but few developers outside Microsoft know how to utilize them.

BevansDesign
Aug 9, 2019
5

It's mostly great, but when they replaced "Favorites" with "Quick Access" in the side navbar, they ruined it. Now all my carefully-organized shortcuts are gone, replaced with a much less functional disorganized list with unusable link titles.

I have 8 folders pinned, all of which are named "2019". What am I supposed to do with that? It doesn't even show you the full file path when you hover over them.

neko cannon
Mar 5, 2019
-1

slow slow slow until windows 10 1809 then ... bug bug bug ... i think it would be fixed in 1903 or any later versions, before it, i choose those "commanders"...

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7 of 11 comments

What is File Explorer?

File 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.exe, or simply "Explorer".

It provides a graphical user interface for accessing the file systems. It is also the component of the operating system that presents many user interface items on the monitor such as the taskbar and desktop.

Controlling the computer is possible without Windows Explorer running (for example, the File | Run command in Task Manager on NT-derived versions of Windows will function without it, as will commands typed in a command prompt window).

File Explorer information

AlternativeTo Categories

File ManagementCD/DVD ToolsOS & UtilitiesSystem & HardwareBackup & Sync

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Our users have written 11 comments and reviews about File Explorer, and it has gotten 231 likes

File Explorer was added to AlternativeTo by olaj on Mar 2, 2009 and this page was last updated Feb 13, 2025. File Explorer is sometimes referred to as Explorer, Windows Explorer.