Our verdict: Explorer++ gives you tabbed browsing and a few power tools in a tiny portable EXE that feels like classic File Explorer. It is quick and needs no installation. The interface looks dated and it lacks dual panes, so heavy users may prefer a fuller file manager.
About Explorer++
Explorer++ is an open-source file manager that keeps the familiar look of Windows Explorer and adds tabs, bookmarks and a display window that previews the selected file. It uses the standard Windows shell, so context menus, drag and drop with other apps and file operations work as in Explorer.
Extra tools include merging and splitting files, changing file dates and attributes, saving a directory listing, filtering files and searching by name and attributes. It is completely portable: settings can be stored in a configuration file next to the EXE instead of the registry. Version 1.4.0 is the current stable release; development builds are published separately.
What it does well
- Tabbed browsing. Open many folders in tabs and bookmark the tabs you use often.
- Display window. Preview the selected file and see its details below the file list.
- Merge and split files. Split large files into parts and join them back together.
- Dates and attributes. Change file timestamps and attributes from a dialog.
- Portable settings. Save settings to a config file to run it from a USB drive.
Who it is for
Good fit
People who want tabs in a light, Explorer-like file manager, including on a USB stick.
Look elsewhere
Users who want dual panes, a modern look or built-in archive handling.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and open source
- Tiny and portable
- Familiar Explorer-style interface
- Useful extras like file split and merge
Cons
- No dual-pane view
- Dated interface
- Stable releases are infrequent
How to install Explorer++
The button downloads the 64-bit ZIP of the stable release from the project's GitHub. Extract it and run Explorer++.exe; there is no installer. Translations are a separate ZIP on the releases page. To keep settings portable, choose to save them to a configuration file in the options.
Questions about Explorer++
Is Explorer++ free?
Yes. Explorer++ is free and open source under the GNU GPL v3.
Does Explorer++ need installation?
No. Extract the ZIP and run the EXE. Settings can be saved to a file to keep it fully portable.
Can Explorer++ replace Windows File Explorer?
It can be used instead of it day to day, and an AutoHotkey script on the official site maps Win+E to open Explorer++.
