Explorer++: A Tabbed File Manager That Feels Native on Windows
Explorer++ is a lightweight, open-source file manager for Windows. It doesn’t try to replace File Explorer — it feels like a natural extension of it. The layout is clean, the tabbed interface is fast, and the feature set is focused. No theming engines, no plugin mess, no gimmicks.
For Windows users who want something a bit more capable than the stock Explorer but without jumping to dual-pane tools like Total Commander, Explorer++ often lands in the sweet spot.
Core Features at a Glance
| Feature | Why It’s Useful |
| Tabbed browsing | Open multiple folders in a single window, switch quickly. |
| Portable build | No installation needed — run from any directory. |
| Keyboard-friendly | Hotkeys for almost everything, no mouse required. |
| Customizable layout | Choose which panels to show (drive bar, breadcrumbs, etc.). |
| Drag-and-drop | Works seamlessly with the standard Windows shell. |
| Built-in file operations | Move, copy, delete — all without opening new windows. |
| Advanced rename | Batch renaming with live preview. |
| Admin mode | Option to restart in elevated mode for system-level access. |
Where It Fits in the Toolkit
– Power users who want tabs and batch tools, but prefer Explorer’s layout
– Developers browsing code folders or deep directory trees
– Sysadmins managing files across local and network paths
– Users on restricted systems who can’t install additional software
Getting Started
1. Download the build
Available as 32-bit or 64-bit from the project’s GitHub page or community mirrors.
Recommended: use the portable ZIP, not the installer.
2. Extract and launch
Unpack to any folder and run Explorer++.exe. No setup required.
3. Configure default layout
Choose whether tabs open in background, how paths are displayed, which columns are shown.
4. Assign shortcuts
Explorer++ supports customizable hotkeys — helpful for quick navigation, tab switching, and launching admin mode.
5. Optional: Replace File Explorer
You can set Explorer++ as the default file manager using registry tweaks, though this is optional and reversible.
Things to Be Aware Of
– No dual-pane view — strictly one pane at a time
– Doesn’t include file previews or image thumbnails
– Not actively maintained — minor bugfixes, but no major releases lately
– Doesn’t support network authentication prompts — mapped drives only
– Some advanced context menu items may not appear (due to shell integration limits)
Why It’s Still Around
Explorer++ doesn’t try to be everything — and that’s exactly why some admins and power users still use it. It’s small, predictable, and fits right into a Windows environment without clashing with existing tools. For people who just want tabs, shortcuts, and fast file management — without clutter — it does the job better than many newer alternatives.
If File Explorer ever felt limiting, Explorer++ gives you more without asking much in return.
