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4 Best File Explorers With Tabs for Windows 10
File Explorer is an integral part of Windows. It helps you access files and transfer photos and PDFs, improving your overall experience. The system-wide dark mode is a great addition. However, the inability to open different instances of File Explorer in different tabs is a major disappointment. Fortunately, there are several alternatives that allow you to open folders in separate tabs.
File Explorer tabs support allows you to switch between open tabs instead of multiple open windows. Some Windows 10 alternatives have a simple interface that makes transitioning easy while also offering useful features. Now, let’s explore some of the best file explorers with tabs for Windows 10.
1. Explorer++
The Explorer++ is an efficient open-source file manager for Windows 10. If you want a simple file explorer with tabs, this is the one for you. The interface isn’t different from the looks of the original File Explorer. This makes it easy for you to switch to this explorer.
Like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, Explorer++ displays a timeline on the left panel. Click on a folder and select Open in New Tab. When you hover over the app’s icon on the taskbar, all open instances are displayed. Simply click on one, and Explorer++ will open to that tab.
Explorer++ also has a preview pane at the bottom to display important information.
Apart from file management, Explorer++ allows you to bookmark tabs for quick reference and experiment with Split and Merge features. You can launch Explorer++ using Auto Hotkeys or pin it to the taskbar for easy access after installation.
2. XYplorer
XYplorer takes tabbed browsing to new heights. It allows you to create vertical tabs easily and also supports horizontal panes, which makes it incredibly simple to drag and drop or move files. Additionally, you can open several instances in both panels simultaneously.
The keyboard shortcuts make it easy to work. However, XYplorer is more than a tabbed file explorer. It has practical features. For example, you can filter files by type and size. This allows you to easily display only image files for a specific folder. Additionally, you can search for files and folders using simple or complex search terms.
The feature we loved the most was Color Filters. With this, you can highlight the folder structure. XYplorer also supports scripts.
Unlike above, XYplorer is not free and costs $39.95 for a one-time license. You can try it for 30 days and if you’re satisfied, upgrade to the paid version.
3. Q-Dir
If you are a hardcore user who spends most of their time shuffling files, then Q-Dir is the tool for you. This file explorer for Windows 10 has four panes and allows you to open multiple tabs within them. Hello, productivity!
Quite obviously, the panes make it easy to drag and drop items. And if the four panes become overwhelming, you can reduce it to 2 or 3, depending on your preference. Or, you can switch to an all vertical pane look as well.
Like its Windows counterpart, Q-Dir also has an all-black look. However, it’s not as polished.
The highlight of Q-Dir is its light footprint, making it easy to run on older systems.
In addition to tabbed browsing, Q-Dir also has common functions like Search and Bookmark.
4. FreeCommander XE
Another file explorer worth trying is FreeCommander. Like the previous one, it offers the advantage of tabs and panels. However, it keeps things simple by having two panels. The good news is that both panels are useful for completing tasks. Also, you can open multiple tabs on each panel.
The interface is straightforward and translates into an easy transition. Besides tabbed browsing, FreeCommander also offers features like finding duplicate files, defining keyboard shortcuts, tree view, and more.
Furthermore, you can change the view of the folders to Thumbnails. Additionally, you can cycle between different thumbnail sizes.
Keep a Tab
Other than the above, you can check out the Directory Opus file explorer. It doesn’t offer tabbed browsing, but the two vertical panels make things convenient. It’s fast and the interface is uncluttered, offering a premium experience. There are two versions: Light and Pro, depending on your requirement.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
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