If the file explorer that comes with Windows is practical for you, but you are looking for more complete solutions, easy to use, more customizable or you just want to change for whatever reason, we will discuss some alternatives to the file explorer in Windows 10 and 11 that You must know and with which to manage all types of files will be easily for you.
Learn about some of the main free and paid programs that have managed to steal the spotlight from one of the best-known managers and that you will want to use because of the facilities they provide you. We discuss several alternatives for each of the two modalities that complete their features and with which you will increase your productivity and work much better on your computer, so that it is easier for you to get to what you are looking for.
In any of the operating systems you need tools that make your life easier, so we will show you what the famous Windows Explorer is, what it is for and what are the most interesting, easy to use, fast and comfortable alternatives that you can use if the basic version for your operating system does not convince you, in addition to its main features and advantages.
What is Windows Explorer and what is it for
Windows Explorer, better known by many people as Windows Explorer , is an app designed for this operating system and which is part of the operating system itself with which you can manage files and folders with the ability to view, edit, create or delete them. Files and folders can be viewed in list, details, tile, contents, medium, large, and very large icons.
It is used to organize and control files on our hard drive or used storage systems. If you have documents in it, you can rename them in bulk and even see hidden files . You can also share, print, compress, burn to disk and many other things with this tool. It offers you many possibilities, but it may also not be enough for what you need or you may want something that is more adapted to your needs.
Free alternatives
You can increase the functionalities of the tool that comes by default with its alternatives. For this reason, we show you some free solutions that will be of interest to you, very easy to use and with a large number of features , in addition to being different from each other due to their characteristics. Some have the possibility of being portable, so you can take them wherever you want.
Files v2
Files is one of the best alternatives to Windows Explorer, with which you can access your content much better. It has a very attractive and friendly interface in which you can manage your files with productivity, working in several folders with tabs and much more. You can customize it to your liking with different themes and colors.
In addition, it offers you document previews and cloud integration among many other functions. Files 2 is available for Windows 10 and 11 with interesting new features such as the column view with different levels of hierarchy that can be opened at the same time, labels, support for FTP, security options and much more.
Explorer ++
Explorer ++ is an exploiter with tabbed browsing to more easily manage multiple folders and becomes a portable solution. File previews can be viewed as they are selected, as well as easy-to-remember keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate faster.
With a very friendly interface and many possibilities, such as basic and advanced file operations, it is one of the best alternatives to Windows file explorer. In addition, it gives full support to drag and drop from other applications, the same one included. You can filter and switch between list view, icon, detail, thumbnail, and tile. It’s small and fast, so you don’t need more. It also has the option of blocking tabs.
WizFile
WizFile is a very fast file finder where you can find it by size, name and date at the moment, free for personal use. As you type, the search results appear to do everything faster. Monitor your system for changes and show you the most up-to-date file information.
With this browser that has regular updates, you can save time and require minimal RAM and CPU usage resources. It uses a very efficient and compact internal database. These are its main advantages and one of the main reasons to highlight it, in addition to its functions.
Multi Commander
Multi Commander is a free and professional multi-tab manager that uses dual pane design which gives you more efficiency. It has everything you need to work on a day-to-day basis, increasing the efficiency and speed of your functions. It has all the standard features of this type of program, such as view, rename, copy and move, as well as other special features and advanced delays such as automatic classification , search and display of images and files, easy-to-remember shortcuts and much more.
It is a highly customizable and extensible program , with different possibilities of colors and designs as well as extensions and complements to increase its functionality. With the option of working in the background for tasks that take the longest to complete, you can continue working without interruption.
Total Commander
Total Commander is a manager designed for various versions of Windows, including versions 10 and 11. It has two file windows , multi-language support, the ability to compare and synchronize directories, advanced search functions, integrated FTP client and much more.
This program has a very intuitive interface with tabs and much more in addition to thumbnail views and custom columns. You will be able to work very comfortably with it. There are also versions for mobile devices. Its functions and easy handling are its main attractions.
FreeCommander
FreeCommander is another very interesting program that uses the horizontal and vertical double panel system, which will allow you to work much better with Windows. You will find the functions you need to manage what you have on your computer, with the added advantage that you can take it anywhere if you carry it on a pendrive, external hard drive or any other storage system.
It has many interesting features, including those related to easy access to the system folders, desktop, start menu and control panel. You can easily copy, delete, move and rename folders and files. You can comfortably use RAR, ZIP and CAB formats. Its file handling is nested. You can calculate folder sizes, compare sync, modify dates, research files, and much more.
You will find it with support in many languages. If you want to download the x64 version you will have to make a donation of 32 euros, otherwise you can use it for free.
Tablacus Explorer
Tablacus Explorer is a free and open source program that stands out because you can view content from different units or routes at the same time. Its user interface with tabs is highly customizable, from which you can access both the most basic functions and other additional ones. You don’t need to install it and it is completely portable.
You can use it in both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions, as well as having Add-on support. It is very important, in this case more than in any other, that you keep the software updated to the latest version to access the existing improvements, but also improve your security.
Payment programs
If you are looking for something different, such as browsers that offer you better features or additional comforts for greater productivity, we will tell you about some excellent alternatives for Windows 10 and 11 that have a cost, although they make up for it with their benefits. We will show you some of them and we will tell you about their differentiating characteristics.
Directory Opus!
Directory Opus! it is a program that overcomes the limitations of the browser that comes with your operating system. It stands out for having the display of files and folder trees in one or two panels , a tabbed interface with which you can keep several folders open, quickly switching between them and an exclusive replacement mode.
With it, you can quickly group, classify, filter and search your folders, as well as color-code files, add status icons, classifications and more. With the markup of images you will be able to sort your photos more quickly. You can calculate the size of the folders, print, explore lists and count with different integrated tools such as the synchronization of those that are duplicates.
Its interface is totally friendly and configurable . You can change fonts, colors, hotkeys, toolbars, and much more. It has various prices depending on what you need, from AUD 49, which is equivalent to just over 30 euros.
Tagspaces
TagSpaces is a multiplatform explorer with which you can organize your folders and files easily with labels and colors. You can add tags and description to these to organize them much better. Also, if you are interested in knowing, its Lite version is free and open source, so you can use it if you don’t want to pay for the most complete tool.
It connects to any folder on your hard drive and provides you the best way to explore your content with many options for greater productivity. With the tags you can have cross references in the folders and find files for any combination of these with its built-in search. One of its main advantages in the pro version is that you can search for full text in text documents.
In addition, you will maintain full control of your data since it does not need the internet or collect data. Its price ranges from 39 euros (except promotions) to 49 euros in the Pro web version and others in companies for several users.
XYplorer
XYplorer is a tool compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 that offers a very attractive and easy- to-use interface with which you can manage your files. It has a powerful search , tabbed browsing, a very versatile preview, optional dual panel and a great variety to automate the tasks that you repeat the most.
This tool is light, portable and very fast. You will be able to manage your files easily and comfortably, with photographic data and a floating preview on the right. As it has tabs, you can easily switch between folders, being able to hide, name, drag, drop and much more. It does not need installation and you can take it wherever you want. It is fully customizable, even in dark mode . To see if it convinces you, you can try it free for 30 days. Its standard license is $ 39.95 per user. There is also a lifetime license for $ 79.95.
SpeedCommander
SpeedCommander is a double-window file manager for 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11, with many customization and viewer options for more than 80 file formats and support for 13 file formats. This program has access to FTP , SFTP, FTP-SSL, macro support and many other functions that can make things easier for you and increase your productivity.
It is very versatile and easy to use , it also allows you to access cloud storage services and write to DVD, CD and Blu-ray in its Pro version. You can try it for free for 60 days without commitment or restrictions to see if you like it. Know all its functions. The single license is 39.95 euros in its standard version and 59.95 in the Pro version, although it has many other price variants depending on what you need, also with multi-user licenses.