# Files

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

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.

- **Category:** Desktop Utilities
- **Made by:** Files Community
- **Website:** https://files.community
- **Runs on:** Windows
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 9, 2026

## Pricing

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

- **Pricing model:** Free plan
- **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.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Classic installer | $0 | The free version, in stable and preview branches. The project asks people who install it to consider supporting development on GitHub. |
| Microsoft Store | $12.99 one-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 https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nghp3dx8hdx?hl=en-US&gl=US on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Files before buying.

## 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.

## 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.

## Works with

OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, Git, QuickLook, PowerToys Peek, Listary

**Tags:** File management, Open source, File compression

## Alternatives

- [Directory Opus](https://toolgpa.com/tools/directory-opus): Highly configurable file manager that replaces Windows Explorer. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/directory-opus-vs-files)
- [Total Commander](https://toolgpa.com/tools/total-commander): Two-pane file manager for Windows with FTP and archive tools. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/files-vs-total-commander)
- [ForkLift](https://toolgpa.com/tools/forklift): Dual-pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/files-vs-forklift)
- [Path Finder](https://toolgpa.com/tools/path-finder): Dual-pane file manager for Mac, built as a Finder alternative. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/files-vs-path-finder)

## Sources

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

- https://files.community/
- https://files.community/download
- https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nghp3dx8hdx?hl=en-US&gl=US
- https://files.community/docs/getting-started/install
- https://files.community/docs/getting-started/faq
- https://files.community/docs/getting-started/overview
- https://files.community/docs/features/cloud-drives
- https://files.community/docs/features/ftp
- https://files.community/docs/features/integrations
- https://github.com/files-community/Files

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/files
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).