Immersive Explorer

Inspired by the Metro tiles of Windows 8, Immersive Explorer is a file manager which comes packed with some standard features and few advanced options. It can be used by anyone who wants to get a glimpse of the Windows 8 look, if they are still running older Windows.

The app is wrapped in an installer and portable package, so you can choose any of them to proceed. The interface is stylish and eye-catching, making it possible to switch to full screen mode, as well as to directly access libraries (My Documents, My Videos, My Pictures, My Downloads, My Music), favorites (Personal Folders, Public Folders) and drives, whether they are local, optical, removable or in the network.

Immersive Explorer integrates some standard functions that allow you go to the next or previous folder, or up by one level. You can also create and view a slideshow from images, change the viewing mode, sort items in the list, view folder sizes and hidden files, as well as switch to classic Windows Explorer mode. On top of that, you can zoom in and out of images, load audio tracks in a built-in player, and select a different language for the UI.

As far as advanced options go, you can find out the MD5 and SHA1 signature of a file, as well as open a Command Prompt dialogs with administrative rights in any location. It is possible to change the interface language, assign the default external programs for opening images, audio and videos, alter the background color or assign an image, and more.

The file manager uses low CPU and high memory. However, it worked smoothly during our evaluation, without hanging, crashing or displaying error notifications; we have not encountered any issues. On the downside, Immersive Explorer comes bundled with limited features. Its main attraction lies within the interface which resembles the default file manager of Windows 8. Nevertheless, Immersive Explorer can be handled with ease, even by inexperienced users.