Windows 8 Comes to Windows 7 Explorer with Better Explorer
Written by Alan Monday, 2 January 2012 07:00
You may have at least seen screenshots of the next version of Windows Explorer, even if you haven’t tried out the Windows 8 Developer Preview. The next version of Windows Explorer will have the ribbon interface that was debuted in Microsoft Office and, while many users didn’t initially like it, has become popular over the past couple of years. It’s something that may initially seem too different, but once you get some experience with it you will find it much more useful.
Better Explorer brings the ribbon interface, and several other features, to Windows as a replacement for Windows Explorer. Other features include tabs and extra jumplist options. The program doesn’t replace Windows Explorer, and it’s not an add-on, but it’s a completely separate stand-alone program. It’s an open-source project hosted over at Codeplex.
Features of the latest version, include:
The main goals of this project are:
- Adding tab functionality together with use of standard explorer browser control (Implemented)
- Adding additional features like:
- Changing Library icons (conditional tab for Libraries) (In progress)
- File operation with files and folders(Implemented)
- Synchronized command promt
- Change of folder icons (conditional tab for folders)
- Extended Jump list support (Windows 7)(Implemented)
- Extended search conditional tab like extended search pane in Vista (Windows 7)(In progress)
The program is compatible with Windows 7 and is still in Alpha release, but is very stable. If you want more functionality out of Windows Explorer than it currently has, and you like the ribbon interface for Windows 8 and the current Office, then you may want to try this out. It’s a free download, but appears to only work with Windows 7.
Download: Codeplex Better Explorer
Related posts:
- Windows 8 Explorer Gets The Ribbon
- Add Tabs to Windows Explorer
- Microsoft Gives a Peak at Explorer in Windows 8
- Change the Windows 7 Explorer Folder Destination
- Get Detailed Multimedia Info with MediaTab for Windows Explorer
