File Explorers are almost used daily. Without them, editing, transferring or deleting files is not possible. Fortunately, Windows has a built-In Windows Explorer, which competes with the best out there.
Although Windows Explorer has gone through several changes, there are still some advanced features that are missing. Therefore, if you are bored with using the same Explorer, there are many other possibilities. If choosing one amongst many is not possible, then give the following alternatives a try.
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Explorer ++
Explorer ++ is a Windows Explorer designed to be open-based for PC. In terms of usage, it is nearly similar to Windows File Explorer that you can make use of. Not only is it wholly portable, but it also enables the user to manage multiple folders via a tabbed interface. Furthermore, it features a highly customizable interface and offers all the essential operations such as filter, sort, move and merge etc.
Explorer ++ supports drag and drop options along with save directory listing, bookmark tabs and much more. Considering its small size, it is a powerful program that can search for files based on names and attributes.
Key Features
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- Highly customizable interface
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- Can search files based on names and attributes
- Small yet powerful
Clover
Clover Windows Explorer stands out due to its modern tab-based approach, which is nearly used by every Windows Explorer today. And if you happen to be a fan of that approach, you are going to become a huge fan of Clover.
Clover is not a Windows Explorer but an add-on that helps convert Windows Explorer into a Windows Browser. The best thing about Clover is that it provides multi-tab functionality to your default Windows Explorer so that you are able to view multiple files without having to clutter your desktop.
Key Features
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- Stores bookmarks
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- Export or import all bookmarks
- Multi-tab functionality
Explorer Max
Explorer Max is a great replacement if you are annoyed with the limitations of Windows Explorer. You can call it an advanced version of Windows Explorer featuring powerful functions. Users who have used the software have termed it the perfect alternative to Windows Explorer. Not only is it both light and easy to use, but offers excellent compatibility as well. It allows you to store bookmarks, search files from your disk or folders, lets you keep multiple folders open, locate your history, and recently accessed files and much more.
For those who happen to be a fan of light or dark modes, then be informed that Explorer Max features that as well.
Lastly, Explorer Max offers a 30-day free trial after which, you will have to pay around $6 to purchase it. Considering the features and user comments, it is worth giving a try.
Key Features
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- 30-day free trial
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- Allows multi-folder exploration
- Features light and dark mode
Free Commander
If you are looking for an easy to use file manager alternative to Windows Explore, then you might want to try your hands at Free Commander. It is portable and could be installed on CD and USB. Free commander comes with dual-panel technology and supports both vertical and horizontal panels. Similar to many file explorers, Free Commander supports tree view, tabbed interface and provides full access to your desktop. By using the built-in file viewer, users can view files belonging to different formats. Lastly, it supports linked browsing, drag and drop and wiping files, etc.
Key Features
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- Portable usage
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- Dual-panel technology
- Tabbed interface
Q-Dir
Offering more than just a dual-pane, the Quad Directory, aka Q-Dir, is probably the best amongst the best. As it is evident from the name itself, Q-Dir features a powerful ability to display four panes that are accessible at the same time. It is free for both personal and business use.
If you are using this tool, managing your folders and files is easy. It has been designed to primarily focus on handling and managing multiple folders at a time. Furthermore, Q-Dir allows its users to rearrange the panes both vertically and horizontally.
Moreover, it even allows its users to create folder tabs in each pan and further customize them. If you have Q-Dir installed on Windows PC, you get to browse using tabs. With the feature of bookmarking, you can bookmark regularly visited files and folders as you explore them.
Key Features
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- Offers four file panes
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- Manages multiple folders
- Vertical and horizontal panes arrangement
Directory Opus
We have yet another great file explorer and manager tool for Windows PC. It is not only super-fast but features a clean and intuitive user-interface as well.
As compared to other file explorers, Directory Opus has more functionality and power. It supports, folder trees, dual-pane file display, tabbed interface and quick filter, etc. It can also be used as an FTP client and a compression tool for files. The batch renaming feature could be used by users to, viewing, sync and duplicate file finder as well. Its user-interface is fully configurable by allowing you to play with the fonts, toolbars, and hotkeys, etc.
Key Features
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- Super-Fast and easy to use
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- Features more power and functionality
- Can be used as an FTP client
Xplorer-2
If you are looking for a direct replacement to Windows Explorer then try Xplorer-2. With this file explorer and manager, you are sure to be in control of your files and folders. Widely known for its efficiency and speed, Xplorer-2 is known for its folder tabs and dual pane.
Furthermore, if you wish to preview files and folders, it is one of the best options available. Upon using Xplorer-2, you shall be able to visualize disk space and folder size. Xplorer-2 comes with a traditional menu bar combined with a modern ribbon user-interface. Managing your files, let alone exploring them is a breeze with this tool.
Key Features
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- Easy file management
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- Offers disk space and folder size visualization
- Efficient and fast
MuCommander
If you are in search of a highly-modern Windows Explorer, then look no further than muCommander. It comes with Java support and is easy to work with especially at the start. Perhaps, the best thing you will notice about muCommander is its option to change the theme. The user can set a theme according to his/her preferences to make the interface look friendlier. Furthermore, it offers two panes view as default, therefore, you shall not have any problems while exploring files.
Key Features
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- Default two panes view
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- Highly-advanced Windows explorer
- Features Java support
One Commander
The first thing you will notice while using One Commander is that it features a user interface that is re-defined and managing and navigating files is much easier.
With this tool, you will be getting a dual-pane layout along with a column layout. It neither features any ads nor requires any charges to be used, it is absolutely free. Users have the option of selecting either light or dark mode while using One Commander on Windows. Features a file preview feature as well. It supports keyboard navigation, filtering current folders and much more.
Key Features
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- Dual-panel layout
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- Column layout
- Absolutely free to use
Altap Salamander
You cannot beat Altap Salamander in terms of reliability. It is a two-panel file explorer, featuring an intuitive user-interface. Furthermore, it is also the very first file explorer tool to come up with a wide range of networking tools. It features the ability to support FTP, SFTP and SCP, etc.
If you are using this tool, then transferring files over the internet is effortless. Using the built-in viewers, Altap Salamander has been designed to perform as fast as possible and navigate files quickly. Files and folders that are stored in archives as 7-zip, Zip and Rar, etc. are also easily accessible with Altap Salamander. Lastly, it keeps your personal information such as the password, secure and protected as it utilizes its Password Manager, which is integrated.
Key Features
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- Features Integrated Password Manager
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- Two-panel file explorer
- Supports FTP, SFTP, and SCP, etc
