How to change the default file Explorer in Windows
The Windows File Explorer has received many exciting features over time, like the ability to manage archive files, multiple tab support, and more. However, there are many important features, like the ability to view folder sizes, that are still missing from File Explorer. If your only complaint from Windows File Explorer is that it doesn’t show folder sizes, then you can take the help of a third-party tool called Windhawk to address that concern.
However, if you want some extra features beyond what the Windows File Explorer currently offers, then you should install a third-party file manager. There are plenty of options to choose from, such as OneCommander, DirectoryOpus, File Pilot, and more. Once you install one of these apps, you’ll need to set it as the default file explorer on your computer. Otherwise, Windows will continue to open files with its built-in File Explorer instead of the third-party app you installed.
Unfortunately, not all of these File Explorer alternatives include a built-in setting to automatically set them as the default file manager on Windows 11.For instance, you can set OneCommander as the default File Explorer by clicking the hamburger icon in the top-left corner, navigating to Program Settings > Advanced, and checking the “Register as a Default File Manager” box.
However, File Pilot and many other third-party file managers don’t offer this option. To set them as the default file explorer on Windows, you need to manually edit the registry. Even for apps that include a built-in option, like OneCommander, the process ultimately involves the same registry modification; it’s just done in the background.
[mai mult...]