Files

We think most of us can agree that Windows 10 is the best iteration of Microsoft’s OS by far, despite its various perceived or more or less subjective drawbacks. By extension, it also means that Windows 10’s Explorer is also the best.

Truth be told, the File Explorer has not evolved all that much over the last few years, which left many more advanced users wanting a more efficient way of managing files. And, while there are various good file managers out there that can lend a helping hand, most of them look more at home on Windows XP.

That’s not the case with Files, a super stylish, modern-looking, and very practical take on what the future File Explorer might look and feel. It’s a community-driven, open-source project that includes enough Fluent Design elements to keep users who also value nice aesthetic happy.

Besides its modern and rather stylish GUI, the best thing about Files is just how intuitive it is. Working with the app feels a lot more empowering and rewarding than relying on the “basic” Explorer, without really feeling like a third-party app that was not developed by Microsoft.

Since we’re on the subject of GUI, the app employs a basic layout with a tab bar at the top of the main window, followed by a basic menu bar underneath, a navigation pane with Forward and Back buttons, a path/address bar, a search, two adjacent sections such as Locations and Drives, and the Preview/Details pane.

Files also comes with a couple of very useful functions that are currently missing from the classic File Explorer. The first and most important feature is, of course, the fact that the app allows users to open new instances (tabs) from the ribbon menu. The main drawback, however, with this feature is that the tabs can’t be configured and managed with the same flexibility as those from web browsers.

Other useful features include the ability to navigate to the parent directory (via the UP button) on the toolbar, the ability to add favorite locations, to choose between various nice layout models, and personalize the GUI by selecting one of the two provided themes: Dark and Light.

From the Preferences section, users can also replace common locations (such as Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos) with others of their choice.

To conclude, this is a very promising project that could become fairly popular with the right improvements. Currently, even though the app is still in its early days, it does offer a few improvements over the basic Explorer which should be enough for some users, especially those who are looking for a look-alike that has support for tabs. Users who like the idea can check out the project’s GitHub repository and even support the whole endeavor with bug reports and possible new good ideas.