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Windows 11 S Best File Explorer Alternative Gains A Powerful Search

Bonisiwe Shabane
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windows 11 s best file explorer alternative gains a powerful search

Files v3.4 ships with a powerful search tool, shortcut customization, real-time filtering, and more. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Microsoft has undoubtedly been pushing significant updates and features to its File Explorer app in Windows 11 in the past few years. The same can also be said about its best third-party alternative, the Files app, which recently received a new update bumping it to version 3.4. The update ships with new features and quality-of-life improvements, including background images, shortcut customization, real-time filtering, Listary, and more (via Neowin).

Right off the bat, Files app users can create custom themes that can be used as the app's background. The background's opacity can be adjusted based on your preference. Finding files swiftly and efficiently is essential for productivity, but Windows Search doesn't always cut it. Thankfully, there’s a variety of third-party tools that outperform Windows Search in speed, features, and user experience. Here are the tools I use to supercharge my file searches on Windows 11. Windows search can be a drag.

For a better search experience, check out Everything from Voidtools. Everything by Voidtools is the gold standard for fast and efficient file searches. This lightweight tool indexes your files in seconds, creating a searchable database of everything stored on your computer. With its real-time updates, you won’t need to wait for indexing to complete whenever files are added, removed, or renamed. The best part is that you can use it whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, thanks to its minimalist interface. However, if you’re a power user, Everything offers advanced search syntax, enabling targeted queries based on file types, sizes, and modification dates.

Moreover, unlike Windows Search, the tool utilizes minimal system resources, ensuring it won’t slow down your system while performing a simple search. In Windows 11, Microsoft has improved the File Explorer with a simplified toolbar, redesigned icons, and color-coded folders—but you can do better. You can get tags, tabs (which Microsoft has said is coming to File Explorer in a later update), and other conveniences by using a third-party File Explorer replacement. An important thing to note is that, even though we call them “File Explorer replacements,” the standard File Explorer remains available after you install one. The new software can be set as the default, though that requires registry changes. Though replacing the File Explorer may enhance your productivity or just offer a more pleasing experience, a downside is that you’re not getting the standard system that other Windows 11 users have.

I personally use the stock File Explorer for that reason and am a fan of its Quick Access feature. Most of the replacements, however, work as wrappers around the File Explorer to add features and change the experience. You don't risk much in trying them, as some File Explorer replacements are free and the rest are low-cost. All of these alternatives to the File Explorer add tabs; some also add easier tagging, folder creation, dual panes, and encryption. Some give you a column view like that in macOS’s Finder. If those enhancements appeal to you, read on to learn what each of the best File Explorer replacements have to offer.

Files (which appears as “Files App” in the app store) is an excellent, popular, free, and open-source replacement for the Windows 11 Files Explorer. You can get it in three ways: download it directly from the Microsoft Store app where it won a Best app award, download it from the organization’s website, or get its source code from... The File Explorer in Windows 11 has been having a rough time. The initial redesign from Windows 10 displaced familiar features and the right-click menu was truncated, as were the options in the ribbons menu. A couple of updates later, things have improved somewhat, and Windows 11 finally added tab support in File Explorer. But if you’re annoyed by the lack of consistency in File Explorer, there’s a free, open-source, community-supported alternative that's a lot more customizable.

It's simply called the Files app. You can buy the Files app from the official Microsoft Store for $8, but it's also available completely free of cost from the developer's website, though it's a bit hidden: After opening the link,... But before you do that, I suggest you create a backup of your computer and all your important files just to be safe, given this is an app with permissions to directly edit all... There's no shortage of File Explorer alternatives (XYPlorer being a popular choice), and this was the case even before Windows 11. But none of them feature as modern or polished a design as the Files app. It takes its cues from Microsoft's Fluent design system, and looks even better on Windows 11 than Microsoft's own File Explorer, which feels like a cheaply re-skinned version of the Windows 10 File Explorer.

Home PC Windows Chrome Best File Explorer Replacement for Windows 11 Everybody has their favorite replacement for the default apps of Windows. Media Player fanatics swear by VLC, while Edge is often used to download and install Chrome or Firefox. But did you know that even such a staple of the Windows UI experience like File Explorer can be replaced, too? Yes, there are plenty of third-party file explorers out there that’ll make you forget about the default once you try them. We’ll be showcasing a few in this article.

If you’re ready to see what the non-Windows world offers in terms of file exploring capabilities, we’ve assembled some of the best File Explorer replacements for Windows 11. You won’t have to uninstall File Explorer (and, indeed, you can’t; it’s a core program), but you can run these alongside it. Let’s begin with one of the more popular options. OneCommander excels in two main areas: responsiveness and customizability. While a quick search or opening a new window might cause a delay in File Explorer, OneCommander does it all in a heartbeat. There’s a lot of flexibility in how you design and arrange your panels.

Want double or single-panel windows, or tabs for better organization? OneCommander has you covered, and does it all with a design that fits the Windows 11 aesthetic. The default Windows File Explorer is a perfectly acceptable tool that does its job well enough. But if you've ever felt like it was lacking in features or versatility, you might want to take a look at some alternative file management apps. File Explorer is more than enough for most users. Unless you're a power user who's trying to maximize efficiency, there's no reason to replace the default explorer.

If you've never felt like File Explorer wasn't enough, stick with it. If it's missing features you need, then these options might work for you. I've personally tested each of these programs extensively and run them through VirusTotal. You can have two panes open at the same time OneCommander is a free Windows file manager that's been a crowd favorite for many years. It has a customizable dual-pane setup that offers both multi-column and double-window views.

Mobile Forum » Operating Systems » Windows When we work daily with documents, photos and projects, Windows File Explorer can fall short for intensive tasks. copy, move, rename or compare content. That's why many users end up looking for a more agile manager with tabs, dual panels, and advanced features that speed up their workflow. The Windows ecosystem has a wide variety of administrators. files, both classic desk such as UWP apps from the Microsoft Store, as well as open-source tools and portable solutions.

Below, we've compiled everything you need to know in a single article: notable alternatives, real pros and cons, free and paid options, and a guide to choosing based on your device and skill level. <img decoding="async" src="https://movilforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Explorer.png" alt="Explorer++" width="1200" height="707" srcset="https://movilforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Explorer.png 1200w, https://movilforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Explorer-300x177.png 300w, https://movilforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Explorer-1024x603.png 1024w, https://movilforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Explorer-768x452.png 768w, https://movilforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Explorer-400x236.png 400w, https://movilforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Explorer-500x295.png 500w, https://movilforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Explorer-420x247.png 420w, https://movilforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Explorer-840x495.png 840w, https://movilforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Explorer-150x88.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 860px"/> Explorer++ is one of the classic names when we think of a direct replacement with tabbed interfaceIt's free, portable (ideal for carrying on a USB drive), and allows you to drag and drop between... Are you tired of slow Windows 11 search? Check out these alternatives to the default Windows Search experience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Here’s how it works. Windows 11 includes a search feature that should be enough for most users, but it often struggles with speed, particularly in non-indexed locations or when handling a large number of files. The search home also feels cluttered with advertisements and lacks polish, which is surprising given it comes from the world's largest software company. If you want something faster, lighter, or more customizable, several third-party tools can deliver a significantly better search experience. Popular options include Command Palette from PowerToys, Fluent Search, Everything, Listary, Flow Launcher, and RayCast. In this guide, I'll highlight six tools you can use to replace the Search functionality on Windows 11.

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Files V3.4 Ships With A Powerful Search Tool, Shortcut Customization,

Files v3.4 ships with a powerful search tool, shortcut customization, real-time filtering, and more. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Microsoft has undoubtedly been pushing significant updates and features to its File Explorer app in Windows 11 in the past few years. The same can also be said about its best third-party alternati...

Right Off The Bat, Files App Users Can Create Custom

Right off the bat, Files app users can create custom themes that can be used as the app's background. The background's opacity can be adjusted based on your preference. Finding files swiftly and efficiently is essential for productivity, but Windows Search doesn't always cut it. Thankfully, there’s a variety of third-party tools that outperform Windows Search in speed, features, and user experienc...

For A Better Search Experience, Check Out Everything From Voidtools.

For a better search experience, check out Everything from Voidtools. Everything by Voidtools is the gold standard for fast and efficient file searches. This lightweight tool indexes your files in seconds, creating a searchable database of everything stored on your computer. With its real-time updates, you won’t need to wait for indexing to complete whenever files are added, removed, or renamed. Th...

Moreover, Unlike Windows Search, The Tool Utilizes Minimal System Resources,

Moreover, unlike Windows Search, the tool utilizes minimal system resources, ensuring it won’t slow down your system while performing a simple search. In Windows 11, Microsoft has improved the File Explorer with a simplified toolbar, redesigned icons, and color-coded folders—but you can do better. You can get tags, tabs (which Microsoft has said is coming to File Explorer in a later update), and o...

I Personally Use The Stock File Explorer For That Reason

I personally use the stock File Explorer for that reason and am a fan of its Quick Access feature. Most of the replacements, however, work as wrappers around the File Explorer to add features and change the experience. You don't risk much in trying them, as some File Explorer replacements are free and the rest are low-cost. All of these alternatives to the File Explorer add tabs; some also add eas...