The File Explorer Replacement - The Files App for Windows!, by Productive Tech on YouTube. 11 min 33 s.
- Video length
- 11 min 33 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Download the Files app from its official website or search for Files in the Microsoft Store, then run the installer and let it finish.
Open Files and look at the sidebar on the left. Pin the folders you use most, such as Documents, Downloads and your project folders, so they sit at the top.
Open the app settings and choose your layout, theme and icon style. Set Files to open at startup if you want it to replace Explorer for daily use.
Turn on the preview pane so you can click a file and see its contents, size and details without opening it.
Use split view to show two folders side by side, then drag files from one pane to the other to move or copy them.
Switch to column view when you are digging through nested folders. Each level opens in its own column, like a file tree.
Use the compact overlay for quick drag and drop tasks, then close it when you are done.
Create a simple folder structure, for example one folder per project or year, and move loose files into it. Keep names short and consistent.
Before making Files your default, test it for a few days. Note the slower startup and occasional crashes, and keep File Explorer available as a fallback.
Tips and common mistakes
Files can be slower to start than File Explorer, so give it a moment after launch.
It is more prone to crashing than the built-in Explorer, so save your work before big file moves.
Pin only the folders you actually use. A long sidebar defeats the point of a tidy setup.
Keep a backup of important folders before you reorganise them.
Questions
Is the Files app free?
Yes. It is an open source app and you can download it at no cost from its official site or the Microsoft Store.
Does it replace File Explorer completely?
You can set it as your default file manager, but File Explorer stays installed and you can still open it any time.
Will it slow down my PC?
The video notes slower startup times and a small performance hit, so it is best on a reasonably modern Windows 11 machine.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
