12 Best Free File Managers for Windows 10 in 2024

Need a free file manager for Windows 10 to improve the efficiency of working with your file system? It will help you perform the most common tasks for working with files, such as creating, editing, viewing, playing, moving, copying, deleting, adjusting settings and features, and searching for documents.

Top 12 Best Free File Managers for Windows 10

  1. Directory Opus - Old-time file manager
  2. ExplorerMax - Easy and efficient
  3. FreeCommander - Convenient interface
  4. Total Commander - Program with classic layout
  5. WinDirStat - Intuitive interface that’s easy to use
  6. One Commander - Minimalistic user interface
  7. Multi-Commander - Extensive number of tools and plug-ins
  8. FileVoyager - Has an extensive collection of tools
  9. Xplorer² - Dual-pane interface
  10. Q-Dir - Offers a four-pane interface
  11. XYplorer - Has multilingual support
  12. Files & Folders Lite - Super easy way to access your files

Any file manager software for Windows adds tabs, smart search, multi-panel interface, and other features that the standard "Explorer" lacks. In this article, I will tell you about the most functional and popular analogs of the standard Windows 10 "Explorer".

1. Directory Opus

Old-time file manager
  • Adjustable toolbars, keyboard shortcuts
  • Complete scripting interface
  • Offers batch renaming and viewing features
  • Two simultaneous views only

Verdict: Directory Opus is a well-known file manager software for Windows. It has an intuitive UI that lets you select a single-pane or a double-pane view. If you need to open a few directories, you will be able to do it via the tabs. Another nice function of this file manager is adding tags and descriptions to files. Due to this, you will be able to work with several files.

Also, you will have the possibility to set colors, icons, and ratings to your files. In this way, it will be easier to find out the correct file.

file manager for windows 10 directory opus interface

2. ExplorerMax

Easy and efficient
  • Speedy search, organized output
  • Modern design
  • Adaptive interface
  • Dual Pane
  • UI may slow down your computer

Verdict: ExplorerMax is the best free file manager for Windows 10 as it offers tab browsing, timeline, and plenty of other useful features for managing files. This software supports light and dark skin and allows you to search fast and get grouped results.

Besides, you can benefit from such features as batch rename and file zip/unzip.

The interface is rather straightforward. Also, you will be able to view only particular files, such as images and documents, which is also a great advantage of this software.

file manager for windows 10 explorermax interface

3. FreeCommander

Convenient interface
  • There is a portable version
  • Fast navigation
  • Robust copying options
  • Cluttered and out-of-date interface
  • It’s easy to delete file

Verdict: This file and folder management software for Windows 10 has a dual-pane interface, where you can view two different folders at the same time. Due to this, you can easily copy or move files from one folder to another.

Besides, you will be able to add folder tabs for each pane to have extra comfort when viewing your data.

Even though FreeCommander has a simple interface, it provides many features, including splitting and merging files, creating and authenticating checksum, zipping/unzipping files and archives, renaming batches, shredding files, etc. In addition to local files and folders, this photo catalogue software can also open network drives.

file manager for windows 10 freecommander interface

4. Total Commander

Program with classic layout
  • Compression plug-in support
  • Utility tools can be replaced
  • Layout enhances productivity
  • It will take some time to perform custom configuration
total commander logo
TOTAL COMMANDER

Verdict: Total Commander is an old but popular folder manager Windows 10 that has a classic layout and two vertical panes. However, with every update, advanced features appear, such as cloud storage services and original Windows 10 features.

If you need to transfer and organize many files, this software will be perfect for you. There, you will be able to see your progress, pause and resume transfers, and determine the speed limit.

Due to its clear interface, this software provides speedy navigation, adjustable keyboards, and an integrated file archiving option. Also, it boasts a great search tool that is better than in other similar file managers.

file manager for windows 10 konvertor interface

5. WinDirStat

Intuitive interface that’s easy to use
  • Color codes according to the type of the file
  • Different perspectives on file sizes
  • Scans can be slow
  • Standard UI
windirstat logo
WINDIRSTAT

Verdict: WinDirStat is an open-source file and folder management software for Windows 10. It will help you figure out how much disk space is being used and what exactly is used on it. With this software, you will be able to check the statistics of your daily use. It also provides cleanup tools for different Windows 10 versions.

The software analyzes any drive or directory that you choose and then displays all your files. It distributes color codes for each type of the file according to the amount of space it takes. This allows you to see which file takes up the most space. For example, the files that occupy the most space on your drive or directory will be in blue color.

file manager for windows 10 windirstat interface

6. One Commander

Minimalistic user interface
  • Plain and speedy
  • Nicely-designed file manager
  • Based on the icons menu
one commander logo
One Commander

Verdict: One Commander is a dual free file manager Windows 10 that provides both double window and multi-column viewing. You can decide on this when you start the software for the first time. Also, you will have the possibility to select between a white, dark, and light theme.

Besides, this software offers an address bar that shows all the sub-folders in the existing directory (like the folder trees), a history panel that is located on the right side of the interface, which will make it simpler to navigate previous files and directories.

In addition, One Commander provides such standard features as an integrated preview of audio, video, and text files, etc.

file manager for windows 10 one commander interface

7. Multi-Commander

Extensive number of tools and plug-ins
  • There is a portable version
  • Easily adjustable
  • Filter-based file coloring
  • Complicated parameters
  • The right-click response is slow
multi-commander logo
Multi-Commander

Verdict: Multi-Commander is the best free file manager for Windows 10 because it offers plenty of tools and plug-ins for managing different files and folders.

This software contains several buttons, all of which are easily adjustable. In addition, there are drive shortcuts for opening certain types of files.

file manager for windows 10 multi-commander interface

8. FileVoyager

Has an extensive collection of tools
  • Out-of-the-box functions
  • Easily adjustable
  • Different display modes
  • Cluttered interface
  • 32bit only
filevoyager logo
FileVoyager

Verdict: This folder manager Windows 10 offers some standard file operations, like renaming, copying, moving, linking, deleting, recycling, as well as a dual-pane layout. Due to this, transferring files between folders will be easier.

FileVoyager has a portable version that supports many shortcuts to default folders, such as Documents, Libraries, and Desktop. Besides, it’s easy to access the file compressing tool, fax or email the necessary document via shortcuts. Also, you will be able to view the size of a file or a folder next to each entry and edit them in notepad.

file manager for windows 10 filevoyager interface

9. Xplorer2

Dual-pane interface
  • File manager for all purposes
  • Fast applications
  • You can copy and move files simultaneously
  • Development stagnation
  • Interface practically didn’t change
xplorer² logo
Xplorer²

Verdict: Xplorer² can also be the best free file manager for Windows 10 for you. It offers two versions and has a very modern design. You can choose from a ribbon-style interface to a more standard menu bar.

This file manager provides many useful features, including the possibility to choose several files simultaneously without any risks of de-choosing them accidentally by clicking somewhere else. Also, there is an option for the fast identification of duplicate files and a color-coding option. Due to this, it will be easier for you to identify files and directories at once.

file manager for windows 10 xplorer interface

10. Q-Dir

Offers a four-pane interface
  • Easily customizable multiple windows
  • 4 windows at the same time
  • You can use tabs in each window
  • Bug may occur
q-dir logo
Q-Dir

Verdict: Unlike most file managers that have a double-pane interface, Q-Dir boasts a four-pane interface, which is why it’s called the Quad Explorer. The main focus of this free file manager Windows 10 is managing several folders simultaneously. When you look at its default interface, it seems that the developers created a collage from one file manager they developed.

Another interesting feature of this file manager is that you can change the number of panes and place them vertically and horizontally. In addition, you can also make folder tabs in each pane and adjust it so that it looks more natural. If you are going to switch from Windows to Mac environment, this tool won’t satisfy your needs. You should try the file manager for Mac by Electronic Team instead.

file manager for windows 10 q-dir interface

11. XYplorer

Has multilingual support
  • Constant updates
  • Easily adjustable
  • Plenty of filters for files
  • Lack of FTP and SSH support
  • Touchscreen support could be better
xyplorer logo
XYplorer

Verdict: XYplorer is a great dual-pane file manager software for Windows 10. It supports tabs and can assign them to a particular configuration so that it remains unchanged even if you’re not using the application at that moment. Also, it has a folder tree on the left side of the interface for seamless navigation.

Other important features of this file manager include highlighting the path and taking it to the current directory, a mini-tree function that allows you to navigate between previously used paths and directories, support for regular expressions, fuzzy matching, content searching, advanced templates, and Boolean logic.

file manager for windows 10 xyplorer interface

12. Files & Folders Lite

Super easy way to access your files
  • Amazing design
  • In-built media player
  • Complicated navigation
files & folders lite logo
Files & Folders Lite

Verdict: Files & Folders Lite has an understandable and accurate interface that provides easy access to files and folders through the expandable Navigation window placed on the left side of the interface. In addition to existing system folders, you can also add other folders. For this, you need to click the + button.

This file and folder management software for Windows 10 supports FTP and OneDrive but doesn’t support Dropbox, Yandex Drive, and Google Drive. With Files & Folders Lite, you won’t need a separate video and photo organizing software. This file manager supports folder archives in several formats and can even perform compressing and decompressing.

file manager for windows 10 files & folders lite interface
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