# Explorer++ for Windows PC - **Name:** Explorer++ for Windows PC - **Version:** 1.4.0 - **Developer:** David Erceg - **License:** GPL v3 - **Platform:** Windows - **Requires:** Windows 10 / 11 - **File type:** Portable App - **Size:** 2.28 MB - **Category:** System & Utilities - **Updated:** 2024-01-28T15:17:24Z - **SHA-256:** 81ec54586dfef888b886d409afa22e31f22d4f6ba35d52d93074b4ee64b79b0c - **Canonical page:** https://filecobra.com/app/explorer-plus-plus-pc/ - **Download page:** https://filecobra.com/download/explorer-plus-plus-pc/ - **Direct download:** https://dl.filecobra.com/releases/windows/explorer-plus-plus-pc/1.4.0/sha256-81ec54586dfe/explorerpp_x64.zip > Explorer++ is a free, open source tabbed file manager for Windows that fixes the biggest annoyance of the built in File Explorer: one window per folder. It adds browser style tabs, bookmarks for favourite folders, a… Explorer++ is a free, open-source tabbed file manager for Windows that fixes the biggest annoyance of the built-in File Explorer: one window per folder. It adds browser-style tabs, bookmarks for favourite folders, a fully customisable toolbar and interface, thumbnail and details views, powerful file search, drag-and-drop, and portable operation with no installation required. Licensed under GPLv3 and weighing just a few megabytes, it is the lightest way to get a modern multi-tab file workflow on Windows 10 and 11. ## Installation 1. **Download the installer** — Download Explorer++ from the official vendor link on this page. 2. **Run the setup** — Open the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen installation steps. 3. **Launch the app** — Start Explorer++ from the Start menu or desktop shortcut. ## Editorial verdict Windows File Explorer finally grew tabs in 2022, but Explorer++ has been doing tabbed file management better — and lighter — for over a decade. Opening it feels instantly familiar: the same folders, the same context menus, but with browser-style tabs across the top, a bookmarks sidebar for jumping to project folders in one click, and a toolbar you can strip down to exactly the buttons you use. The 1.4.0 release added proper dark-mode support, and the whole program is a single 4 MB executable that runs portably from a USB stick with settings stored alongside it. Where Explorer++ shows its limits is scope: it is a file manager, not a file-management suite. There is no dual-pane mode like FreeCommander or Double Commander, no built-in FTP client, and no archive creation beyond basic zip handling — if you need those, pair it with a dedicated tool. Development is also slow-moving; releases arrive years apart, though the 1.4.x line is stable and complete rather than abandoned. For the core job — browsing, organising, and searching files with tabs and bookmarks — it remains one of the cleanest, fastest upgrades you can make to daily Windows use. ### Strengths - Browser-style tabs finally end the pile-up of separate Explorer windows, and middle-click or Ctrl+T folder opening feels completely natural within a day. - The bookmarks system with a dedicated sidebar turns deep project-folder navigation into a single click, which is a genuine daily time-saver. - Fully portable: one small executable, no installer, no registry writes, and settings travel with it on a USB drive. - Dark mode, customisable toolbars, colour-coded file filters, and thumbnail/details views make it adaptable without becoming bloated. - Completely free and open source under GPLv3, with no ads, no telemetry, and no upsell screens anywhere in the program. ### Trade-offs - There is no dual-pane view, so side-by-side folder comparison — a staple of FreeCommander and Double Commander — is not possible here. - Releases are infrequent, with years between stable versions, which can make the project look dormant even though the current build is solid. - It ships as a portable zip with no installer, so there is no Start-menu entry or file-association setup out of the box for less technical users. ## FAQ **Is Explorer++ really free?** Yes. Explorer++ is open source software released under the GPLv3 license. It is free to download, use, and share, with no ads, trial limits, or paid tiers. **Does Explorer++ replace Windows File Explorer?** It does not replace it — it runs alongside it. Explorer++ is a separate program you open when you want tabs, bookmarks, and a customisable interface; the built-in Explorer stays untouched. **Is Explorer++ portable?** Yes. The official download is a zip containing a single executable plus its help file. Extract it anywhere — including a USB drive — and it saves its settings next to the executable. **Does Explorer++ support dark mode?** Yes. Version 1.4.0 added dark-mode support that follows the Windows theme, along with the usual light interface. **Can Explorer++ open folders in tabs like a web browser?** Yes. Ctrl+T opens a new tab, Ctrl+W closes one, and you can drag tabs to rearrange them or double-click a folder to open it in a new tab. --- Source: https://filecobra.com/app/explorer-plus-plus-pc/ · Mirrored from the publisher's own release channel by FileCobra. FileCobra runs no antivirus lab of its own.