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Files

Open-source file manager for Windows with tabs and dual pane

Free plan · from $12.99 one-timeUtilitiesChecked Oct 9, 2026
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Files, as pictured on files.community
How Files presents itself. Image from files.community.

Files report card

3.0GPA

Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Oct 9, 2026

Best for a File Explorer swap with tabs and dual pane

Files is a stand-in for File Explorer with tabs, two folders side by side, coloured tags and your cloud drives in the sidebar. It's open source and free through the classic installer, or $12.99 on the Microsoft Store if you want to chip in. It's Windows only, there's no SFTP, and the FAQ admits to memory leaks over long sessions.

Who Files is for

  • Great if you want tabs, two panes and tags without paying for a file manager
  • Handy when you're in project folders all day and want Git branches in view
  • Good for people who like their software open source and built in public

Who Files is not for

  • Skip it if you're on a Mac or Linux, as it's Windows only
  • Not for you if you connect to servers over SFTP, because only FTP and FTPS are supported
  • Not for you if you leave a file manager open for days, since the FAQ admits to memory leaks

Why Files gets a 3.0

Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.

  • AValue for moneyFree through the classic installer. The Microsoft Store version is $12.99 once, and the download page calls buying it there the best way to support development. Even paid, that's cheap for a file manager.
  • AFree plan and trialThe app is free if you install it with the classic installer, a PowerShell command or the offline packages. No trial clock. The project just asks you to think about supporting it on GitHub.
  • BFeaturesTabs, dual pane, a column layout, coloured tags, zip and 7zip archives, and Git branches you can switch from inside the app. Solid. But remote connections stop at FTP and FTPS, with no SFTP, and the FAQ admits memory use can build up over long sessions.
  • BEase of useNo store rating on record, so a B is as high as we go. It's a file manager, so you already know the basics, and the Command Palette puts commands and settings on the keyboard. The free route is the classic installer, not the Store.
  • DPlatforms and integrationsWindows only, and the Store listing wants Windows 10 version 19041.0 or higher. It does list OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox and Box in the sidebar, as long as each one's own client is running, and it works with Git.

What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from the Files Community's own pages on 9 October 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.

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What is Files?

Files is an open-source file manager for Windows, built and maintained by the Files Community as an alternative to File Explorer. It adds tabs, a dual-pane view, a column layout, colored file tags, a preview pane and a command palette, and it shows installed cloud drives in the sidebar. The app is free through the classic installer, while the Microsoft Store version is sold to fund development.

Files has a free plan. Paid plans start at $12.99 one-time purchase (Microsoft Store, US price). See every plan

Good for

  • Windows users who want tabs, dual pane and tags in a file manager
  • Developers who want Git branches visible while browsing project folders
  • People who prefer open-source software built in public

Worth knowing

  • Windows only; the Microsoft Store listing requires Windows 10 version 19041.0 or higher.
  • The Microsoft Store version costs $12.99. The free version is installed with the classic installer or a PowerShell command.
  • Remote connections cover FTP and FTPS only; the docs say SFTP is not currently supported.
  • The FAQ acknowledges memory leaks that can make memory use build up over long sessions.

Key features

Tabs and dual pane
Several folders open as tabs in a single window, and the dual-pane view shows and manages two folders side by side.
Layouts and column view
Folders can be shown in several layouts, including a column layout for moving through different levels of the file system.
File tags
Files and folders can be organized and sorted with colored tags.
Cloud drives in the sidebar
Detects installed cloud clients such as OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox and Box and lists their drives in the sidebar. The provider's own client must be running.
Archives and FTP
Creates and extracts archives including zip and 7zip, and connects to FTP and FTPS servers from the address bar. SFTP is not supported.
Git integration and Command Palette
Creates and switches Git branches and syncs changes from within the app. The Command Palette gives keyboard access to commands and settings, and key bindings can be remapped.

Files pricing

Starts at
$12.99 one-time purchase (Microsoft Store, US price)
Free plan
The app is free through the classic installer, a PowerShell command or the offline packages. The Microsoft Store version is the paid way to get it, sold to support the project.
Free trial
None listed
Classic installer$0The free version, in stable and preview branches. The project asks people who install it to consider supporting development on GitHub.
Microsoft Store$12.99one-time purchase (US Microsoft Store price)The stable release bought and updated through the Microsoft Store. The download page calls this the best way to support development.

Read from apps.microsoft.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Files before you buy.

Pricing in detail

Works with

Files alternatives

All Files alternatives comparedAll desktop utilities

Common questions

Is Files free?

Files has a free plan. The app is free through the classic installer, a PowerShell command or the offline packages. The Microsoft Store version is the paid way to get it, sold to support the project. Paid plans start at $12.99 one-time purchase (Microsoft Store, US price).

How much does Files cost?

Files lists 2 plans. Classic installer: $0. Microsoft Store: $12.99 one-time purchase (US Microsoft Store price). Prices were read from apps.microsoft.com on Oct 9, 2026.

What platforms does Files work on?

Files is available on Windows.

Does Files have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Files is listed for Windows.

Does Files have an iPhone app?

No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Files is listed for Windows.

Is Files open source?

Yes. Files is open source, according to its own site.

What does Files integrate with?

Files's listing names OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, Git, QuickLook, PowerToys Peek and Listary. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.

Who makes Files?

Files is made by Files Community.

What are the alternatives to Files?

The closest alternatives to Files in our directory are Directory Opus, Total Commander, ForkLift and Path Finder. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Files.

Sources for this page

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.