🚀 Files App Review: The Ultimate Open-Source File Manager for Windows

Discover Files, a free open-source file manager for Windows 10/11. Featuring tabbed browsing, cloud integration, rich previews, and Git support to replace Explorer.

Say goodbye to lag and inefficiency — redefine the way you manage your files. Have you ever spent ages digging through nested folders just to find a single file? Are you tired of the bland interface and limited functionality of Windows File Explorer? Today, I'm introducing you to an open-source and free file management powerhouse — Files — that will completely transform how you handle files on Windows.

🔍 What Is Files?

Files is a modern open-source file manager designed specifically for Windows. With its beautiful interface, smooth operation, and powerful features, it has earned 35.1k GitHub Stars and become the go-to alternative to the built-in File Explorer for many users worldwide.

✨ Core Features

Files is more than just a file manager — it's a capable assistant for boosting productivity. Here are its core highlights:

🎨 Modern Design

• Stunning Interface: Built with the Fluent Design language, it blends seamlessly with the Windows 11 system theme for a delightful visual experience.
• Highly Customizable: Supports theme colors, materials, and quality adjustments. You can explore community-created themes or design your own.

🏷️ Tabbed Management

• Browser-Style Operation: Manage multiple folders just like browser tabs, without constantly opening new windows.
• Quick Actions: Use Ctrl + T to open a new tab quickly, double-click the empty area of the tab bar to create a new tab, and drag files onto a tab to move them instantly.

👁️ File Preview & Quick View

• Rich Previews: Preview documents, photos, and videos without opening them.
• Format Support: Built-in support for rich previews, syntax highlighting, Markdown rendering, and video playback.

☁️ Seamless Cloud Integration

• Multi-Cloud Support: With integrations for OneDrive, Google Drive, and iCloud, you can manage your cloud documents and photos directly from the sidebar.
• One-Stop Management: Easily sync files and track versions, accessing your files anytime, anywhere.

🏷️ Smart File Handling

• File Tagging: Assign colors and named tags to files and folders for easy identification, quick marking, and organization.
• Smart Search: Powerful search capabilities help you locate any file quickly, dramatically improving lookup efficiency.

⚙️ Developer-Friendly Features

• Built-in Git Support: Supports Git operations for convenient version control.
• Hash Value Viewing: View file hashes to verify file integrity.
• Command Line Integration: Supports command-line shortcuts to boost productivity.

📊 Files vs. Other File Managers

To help you better understand where Files stands, here's a comparison with other file management tools:

Compared with traditional file managers, Files offers significant improvements in aesthetics, functionality, and user experience. Compared with the built-in Windows Explorer, it provides richer features and a more modern workflow. Compared with other third-party file managers, Files focuses on delivering an excellent native Windows experience with deep system integration.

🛠️ Pro Usage Tips

Master the following tips and you'll find Files is far more powerful than you imagined:

1. Efficient Navigation

• Quick Access: The sidebar provides fast access to frequently used folders, cloud storage, and external devices.
• Column View: Open multiple directory levels at once with column view for a visualized representation of your current directory structure.

2. Optimized File Operations

• Compact Overlay: Overlay a file window on top of other windows to quickly find files without losing focus on your main task.
• Batch Operations: Use the grouping feature to sort files by type, size, and date for convenient batch processing.

3. Personalization

• Custom Themes: Choose from the settings dialog or create your own.
• Layout Adjustment: Adjust the layout and display mode to your liking, supporting column view, grid view, and more.

4. Advanced Features

• FTP Support: Quickly access files on network servers.
• Security Options: Control who can access files on your system to improve data security.

📥 Download & Installation

Installing Files is straightforward. Here's a detailed guide:

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11
• Architecture: Supports x64, x86, and arm64

Installation Steps

• Download the Installer:
  Visit the official GitHub page or the official website to download the latest version.
• Alternatively, search for "Files" in the Microsoft Store to install.
• Run the Installer:
  Double-click the downloaded installer (usually a .msixbundle file).
• Follow the installation wizard to complete the setup.
• First-Time Setup:
  On the first launch, you can configure your commonly used features and personal preferences.
• Customize the sidebar, view mode, and theme colors as needed.
• Start Using:
  After installation, Files can either replace the built-in File Explorer or coexist with it.
• Launch Files via the desktop shortcut or Start Menu.

Updates & Maintenance

• Automatic Updates: Files supports seamless updates and notifies you when a new version is available.
• Manual Updates: To update manually, simply re-download and run the latest installer.

💎 Conclusion

With its modern design, powerful features, and smooth experience, the Files file manager truly redefines file management on Windows. Whether you're a casual user managing personal documents or a professional developer handling project files efficiently, Files delivers a capable and intuitive experience.

Its open-source nature means continuous innovation and community support, while being completely free ensures everyone can enjoy the benefits without barriers. If you're tired of the built-in Windows File Explorer, why not give Files a try today and start a new era of file management!

Note: This is the English translation of the original Chinese version.