The file explorer is one of the tools that we use the most on our Windows computer. With this application incorporated by default in the Microsoft operating system, we can locate any file or folder that we have on our hard drive. Its main problem is that its evolution has been little in recent times and it has become a somewhat slow tool with some performance problems. If we are looking for an alternative to the classic Windows explorer, we can use an application such as Explorer ++ which we are going to talk about next.
Explorer ++ is a file explorer that is characterized by being simple, light and portable , which makes it a great alternative to Windows Explorer. It incorporates some functions and features that make it more useful and intuitive than its Windows namesake, as it will allow us to work with two or more directories at the same time , so it will be faster and easier to move files from one place to another, as well as to know at all times what folders we have open.
With this browser we will also have a list of bookmarks or favorites , from where we can create a list with the directories that we visit most often. In this way, we can access a specific folder directly without having to navigate through the different folders on our hard drive. We will also have different views, a file browser , as well as other options with which we can adapt this tool to our uses and needs.
Main features to highlight
- It is a portable tool since it has the option of saving itself in the registry in a configuration file.
- Allows tab navigation to easily manage multiple folders.
- The display window shows a preview of the files as we select them.
- It has easy-to-remember keyboard shortcuts for quick and convenient navigation.
- Customizable user interface.
- With full support for drag and drop with other applications, including Windows Explorer.
- Allows you to perform advanced operations such as combining and dividing files.
- Change dates and file attributes.
- Save a directory list.
- Includes bookmarks tab.
- Allows you to search for files using their name and attributes.
- Switch between icon, list, detail, thumbnail, and tile view.
- Allows you to filter files.
Explorer ++, the file explorer you want to have
Once we execute the program, its main menu will appear with an interface certainly similar to that of the classic Windows explorer . Despite this, at first glance you can see that it is more complete with more buttons. At the top we have the toolbar made up of several tabs, whose names and functions are only in English.
Work with multiple tabs at the same time
The first thing that stands out is the possibility of working with several folders at the same time thanks to its tab system . If we want to open a new tab, just double-click on the tab bar and a new one will open automatically. When we want to close it, it will only be enough to double click on each tab. Working with several tabs at the same time gives us the possibility to copy and move files between folders and others quickly and all from the same application. This is one of the great advantages of Explorer ++ over Windows Explorer, which opens folders independently.
With the Search function find any file easily
Another of the functions that Explorer ++ incorporates and that improves notably with respect to Windows Explorer is the search engine . In this application we will have a search engine with which we can find all kinds of files easier and faster . To start using this function we can use the keyboard shortcut Control + F, or also from the “Tools” menu that we find at the top and then clicking on “Search”.
Use Explorer ++ as the default browser
If we want Explorer ++ to be our default file browser to replace Windows Explorer in this way, we can configure it from the “Options” menu that we find within the “Tools” tab. Once inside, in the “General” tab, we look at the second section “Default File Manager”. Here we must select the third option “Replace Explorer for all folders (Vista and later)”. Later we click on “Apply” and finally on “OK” to confirm the changes and thus use it as the default browser.
Free download Explorer ++
Explorer ++ is a completely free file explorer for Windows that we can download from its website . From it we can download its latest stable version 1.35, available for both 32-bit and 64-bit computers . As it is a portable application, we will be able to use it without having to carry out any installation on our computer. It will only be necessary to unzip the file that we downloaded and run it from our PC. In this way, we can run it from an external storage unit, pendrive or memory card.
Its latest version 1.35 dates from February 2013 , without having received any new version since then. Version 1.4 is available on the web but still in beta, so it seems that the development of the program has been abandoned. Despite this, the program is fully functional and error-free.
Alternatives to Explorer ++
If we are looking for an application with which to replace the Windows File Explorer, and Explorer ++ does not convince you, we propose a couple of alternatives that you should take into account.
Explorer Commander
We are facing a file explorer that is characterized by being able to manage our files through the use of two or four panels. From them we can freely move files and folders. It also allows it to be used both vertically and horizontally, as well as setting different display proportions. Explorer Commander does not require installation and is a free tool that we can download from its official website .
My Commander
It is a file explorer for Windows that stands out for being small, light and powerful with the possibility of creating virtual folders. It also features smart deletion, which allows the actual content of a file to be overwritten so that it cannot be recovered. In addition, it has additional functions such as an integrated search engine, support to create jump lists in Windows, file filters or multiple renaming. My Commander is free and can be downloaded from their website .