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.

Choosing the Best File Explorer Replacement for Windows 11

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.

OneCommander

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 only major downside, apart from its integration limitations as a third-party tool, is its limited Undo function.

The tool is free to download with a paid version, offering more advanced features (symlinks, custom scripts, fonts) for a one-time fee.

FreeCommander

As this explorer’s name implies, FreeCommander XE’s 32-bit version won’t cost users a penny. It boasts a large array of features, including dual browsing windows, the ability to favorite folders for easy access, linked browsing, and multi-file renaming. If you’re an aesthetics fan, the older look of the 32-bit interface may take some getting used to, although FreeCommander does make up for it somewhat with modern icons.

If you’ve got a lot to organize and zip, this is the perfect app for you.

MultiCommander

Here’s another free-to-download-and-use file manager that offers easy utility, albeit with an appearance that went out of style three Windows versions ago. All your essentials are here, including the ability to view file sizes on the fly, which responds quickly. While the mouse control requires a bit of a learning curve, there’s a lot to enjoy.

Perhaps the biggest selling point of this file explorer, apart from its free pricing, is its portability. If you have a USB drive and work on multiple machines, download the portable version to have access wherever you need without the installation hassle.

RX Explorer

This is a paid file manager that mimics the styles of Windows 11 very closely. For a one-off (and relatively low) fee, you’ll have access to all the features of an advanced file explorer (dual windows, image editing, unzipping) with a look that other free explorers don’t match. What’s more, RX Explorer adds the very useful Quick Access feature from File Explorer to its features, as well as a file preview option that Mac users have come to love.

There is also a free version, but it offers fewer features. We recommend the paid version if you want to use this one.