Windows File Explorer is so much better when you install these 5 free tools

If you use Windows, you use File Explorer every day without even thinking about it; you only remember it when it slows you down. From personal experience, I’ve learned that many of the issues people blame on Windows are actually caused by File Explorer’s limitations. In so many ways, File Explorer has remained unchanged over the years. Its search isn’t great, tabs were added late, and even the basics (like file previews) still feel clumsy.

Fortunately, there are a handful of apps that enhance the File Explorer experience. I’ve tried a few, but you don’t have to use them all — one or two will suffice.

Files

A modern File Explorer, like Microsoft never quite finished

I often feel like File Explorer doesn’t belong in this decade, and the Files app is my go-to for fixing it. Even though this one is a complete replacement, it doesn’t reinvent how Windows handles files. It modernizes the interface and features — tabs, layout options, previews, and navigation.

I love that Files stays close to Windows conventions. It integrates cleanly with OneDrive and network locations; context menus and system folders behave as expected. Depending on the task at hand, I seamlessly switch between a dual-pane layout, a column view, and traditional browsing.

I mainly use it because it reduces friction. Its clean UI and better navigation quietly make jumping between folders all day less hectic. It’s the perfect File Explorer alternative for managing downloads, screenshots, and work files.

OS

Windows

Price model

Free

Files app is a file management tool designed as a replacement for Windows File Explorer. It lets you organize, store, and access documents and data.

QTTabBar

Add tabs and power features without replacing File Explorer

QTTabBar is open-source software that helps you break out of the File Explorer app without switching to a different tool. Long before tabs arrived in File Explorer, I added them through this tool to reduce clutter in my taskbar. Rather than running multiple instances of File Explorer, it lets you open multiple tabs in a single File Explorer window.

Even though File Explorer now has native tabs, this is still a must-install for me because of the other features it injects into File Explorer. One feature I use a lot is the blue-arrow subfolder menu, which creates a cascading folder effect. Hovering over a folder exposes a blue arrow, and clicking it opens a cascading folder. I can go deep into directories without opening them fully to grab a file I need.

It provides a floating preview tooltip when you hover over a file, so you don’t need to open a full preview. The downside is that it requires a bit of setup. But once you’re past that stage, you get some handy features.

OS

Windows

Price model

Free

QTTabBar is a free extension for File Explorer. It adds tabbed browsing and allows multiple folders to be managed in a single window. It includes folder groupings and file tooltip previews.

OneCommander

A dual-pane file manager built for people who move files all day

There are times when file management becomes burdensome. OneCommander is the app built for you to move, compare, or organize numerous files.

The dual-pane layout is the feature I use the most; it gives me the fastest and safest way of dragging files between folders. This makes the process transparent because you always see the contents of both folders. When you add features like tabs, folder history, and column navigation, it becomes the perfect recipe for a seamless workflow.

OneCommander has several powerful features, but remains approachable. It’s a logical step rather than a complete switch when File Explorer starts feeling limiting.

OS

Windws

Price model

Free

OneCommander is a file manager for Windows, with a dual-pane interface and tabs. It replaces Windows File Explorer for power users.

Everything

Instant search that finally makes finding files effortless

Credit: Afam Onyimadu / MUO

Search has been one of File Explorer’s longest-standing problems, which is precisely what Everything fixes. Unlike File Explorer, which slowly indexes content, Everything creates a lightweight index of file names, allowing real-time updates and instant search results.

If I know a file exists but don’t remember where it lives, I trust Everything to locate it the fastest. I only have to type a few characters to find it. There’s no waiting; most importantly, I don’t get misleading results.

It complements File Explorer perfectly. In fact, I often search in Everything, then open the file directly in File Explorer. It’s the best Windows search alternative.

OS

Windows

Price model

Free

QuickLook

Preview files instantly without opening a single app

QuickLook has changed how I interact with files: I simply press the spacebar to preview one. It sounds simple, but doing this saves me an enormous amount of time over the course of a day.

It’s my go-to for quickly checking images, PDFs, text files, and even videos. It ensures I’m not opening entire applications just to check a file for two seconds. You can also use it to sort or verify files before deleting them. After using it for a while, File Explorer will feel incomplete without it.

OS

Windows

Price model

Free

QuickLook provides instant, full-size file previews for images, documents, and videos. It gives you access to the previews when you press the spacebar.

Make File Explorer finally work for you

The goal of these tools isn’t to make File Explorer prettier, but to shift its functionality so your workflow is more seamless. They increase functionality in ways that are not possible on Windows natively.

However, the key is to pick only what fills a need in your workflow and use it consistently; changing too much can have a negative effect. If you make a few smart additions, File Explorer transforms into a more capable tool.