4 Reasons Microsoft Should Let You Change The Default File Explorer In Windows

Over the past few months, i’ve been trying a bunch of customization tools and alternatives to built-in Windows 11 features, like the Start menu. But one big subset of apps I didn’t know existed was the world of replacements for File Explorer. I’ve tried and written about a few of these, but as I’ve dived deeper into the world of File Explorer alternatives, I realized that this is a huge world with a lot more options than I expected.

But they all have a problem, and that’s they can’t truly ever replace File Explorer, simply because you can’t change the default file manager in Windows. There are some registry hacks that let you do this to some extent, but it’s beyond what most people are willing to do, and even then, it feels hacky at times. It’s high time Microsoft allows you to easily change the default file manager in Windows.

File Explorer keeps changing

And not always for the better

There are always going to be those who complain about new changes to Windows, whether those complaints are really justified or not. But at the end of the day, some users may just want to know what to expect when they’re running a specific software, and having Windows dramatically change the behavior of File Explorer with a major update can be inconvenient.

And at times, these changes are legitimately negative. For example, the File Explorer in Windows 11 has a forced delay when opening any folder. It’s just a split second, but it is noticeable. Plus, the new simplified menu hides some useful options that were in the Windows 10 Ribbon.

If users can set a default file manager that’s different from what’s included in Windows, it could even remove a hurdle for those who might not want to upgrade right now. You might have more Windows 11 users if those users can circumvent the less desirable changes to File Explorer.

There are so many of these apps

Users clearly want something better

Maybe it’s just me, but it’s really easy to underestimate just how many of these File Explorer replacements exist. I’ve tried a few already, like Files and FreeCommander, but there are so many more. Total Commander is one I’ve heard about, but I’ve also been using OneCommander, and I’m actually really enjoying it. But there are a lot more you can find by searching around, like Double Commander, Directory Opus, Frigate3, and more.

The fact that this many apps exist even though they can never truly replace File Explorer is very significant. It means there are tons of people out there eager to improve their workflow, to have something more customizable, and to get features that File Explorer just doesn’t have. If Microsoft can’t build the File Explorer people want, it needs to allow users to get it some other way.

Third-party solutions are often better

Dual panes, file converters, and more

Most of these third-party apps don’t exist just because they felt like it. There are always legitimate improvements and features that Microsoft isn’t offering that really improve the workflow for their users. A common one I’ve seen is a dual-pane view, which makes it easy to move and manage files across folders, but there’s more. For example, an app like Files actually delivers a much cooler implementation of Microsoft’s visual design philosophy than File Explorer does. Some include advanced tools like file converters, renaming tools, even the ability to handle certain files directly, like viewing PDFs. Some include the ability to find file duplicates, or easily edit metadata for files. And perhaps more importantly, many of these apps are much faster than File Explorer.

I’ve used a few of these apps and I really want to recommend them, but it’s hard because I know people would be frustrated that it’s not a full replacement since so many situations are still going to force you to open File Explorer. If you insert a USB flash drive, you’ll see a prompt asking you if you want to open it, and it opens in File Explorer. When I download a file using Vivaldi, the download notification opens its location in File Explorer. I sometimes end up forgetting to use the apps I’m testing because I always have to go out of my way to do it, even though they’re actually better.

User choice is paramount

Let users usen their PC how they want

At the end of the day, the biggest reason to allow users to change their default file manager is simply user choice and freedom. Windows has long allowed you to set defaults for many things, whether it’s opening web links, PDF files, music, video, and more. The ability to change the default way certain files and actions are handled are what makes Windows so beloved. Everyone knows the tools Microsoft offers aren’t always perfect, but by opening up to third-party solutions, users can keep having a great experience.

So why not extend that to your file manager? There is so much more that can be accomplished by using a different app. Users want to replace File Explorer with something better, and Microsoft should let them for that simple reason. The third-party ecosystem has always been what allows Windows to thrive.

It won’t be easy

I acknowledge that this change isn’t something that can happen overnight, or even close to it. File Explorer is just hooked into Windows in too many ways. Of course, the fact that it handles file-related actions by default is a big deal. But there are other things that need to be changed. For example, when you open an image in the built-in Photos app, it can usually detect other images in the same folder and let you navigate them inside the app. But if you open an image from a third-party file manager, that won’t work.

There’s also the fact that File Explorer shares the same Windows process as most of the Windows shell, including elements like the taskbar. If Microsoft is to do this, there should be a way to decouple these elements into different processes, so the File Explorer doesn’t need to be running constantly to keep the shell working. This could even open the door for third-party apps to also take over the way files are presented on the desktop. There’s also the fact that the file picker dialog is still based on File Explorer, and it would be ideal if these third-party apps could take over that UI, too.

This is obviously a lot of work, and I wouldn’t expect Microsoft to do it any time soon. But I still want to see it.