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Guide · Open source

How to use Files: open-source Windows file manager guide

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Files is an open-source file manager for Windows, built with C# and the WinUI framework and styled with Microsoft's Fluent design. It is meant to be a more modern replacement for the standard Windows File Explorer, for browsing and organizing files and folders. This guide explains who it suits, what you need before installing, how to get the source code, and what to check before you rely on it day to day.

Filesfiles-community/Files · ★ 46.4k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check your system. Confirm you are on Windows and have Visual Studio with .NET desktop and WinUI tooling. Verify the exact list in the project README.
  2. 2Install Git. You need Git to download the repository. Install it if you do not already have it.
  3. 3Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/files-community/Files in the folder where you want the project to live.
  4. 4Read the README. Open the cloned project's README and follow its build instructions, since the build steps are not summarized here.
  5. 5Build and run. Build the project from source using the steps in the README, then launch Files from the build output.
  6. 6Organize your files. Use Files to browse and organize your folders as you would with File Explorer, and note any issues you find.

Is Files the right file manager for you?

Files is aimed at Windows users who want a more modern alternative to File Explorer, people who manage many folders, beginners looking for a free and open-source file manager, and developers interested in contributing to a WinUI or C# desktop app.

It is not built for macOS or Linux, because its stack is WinUI and Windows-specific. The project is MIT licensed and has a large community of users and contributors.

  • Good fit: Windows users, folder-heavy workflows, people who want an open-source tool, and C# or WinUI contributors.
  • Poor fit: macOS or Linux users, and anyone who needs a stable, fully polished release.

What you need before you install Files

Files runs on Windows. The source names Visual Studio with .NET desktop and WinUI tooling as the expected setup for a common WinUI project. Treat this as a starting point and confirm the exact requirements in the project README before you begin.

  • Windows
  • Visual Studio with .NET desktop and WinUI tooling (verify in the README)
  • Git, to clone the repository

Get the Files source code

The install method for Files is clone-and-build. Clone the repository from GitHub with the command below. This downloads the full source to a local folder.

git clone https://github.com/files-community/Files

Know the current release situation

The latest release listed in the project metadata has no downloadable binaries, so there is no clear ready-made installer to rely on from that listing. Building from source is the route the project metadata describes. If you need a finished app for everyday work, check the project's releases and README for the current status before you depend on it.

Compare Files with other Windows file managers

If Files does not fit your needs, the project lists comparable tools: Explorer++, Double Commander and XYplorer. Each is a Windows file manager you can evaluate alongside Files based on the features you care about most.

  • Explorer++
  • Double Commander
  • XYplorer

What people use it for

  • Browsing and organizing folders on a Windows PC with a more modern interface than File Explorer.
  • Managing many folders in one place, using the organized browsing the project is designed for.
  • Learning WinUI or C# desktop development by reading and building a real open-source app.
  • Contributing fixes or features to an MIT-licensed Windows file manager.

Frequently asked questions

Is Files free to use?

Yes. Files is MIT licensed and open source, and the project describes it as a free file manager. The MIT licence allows you to use and modify the code under its terms.

Does Files work on Mac or Linux?

No. The project is built for Windows because its stack is WinUI and Windows-specific. On macOS or Linux, consider a file manager made for those systems.

How do I install Files?

The install method is clone-and-build. Clone the repository with git clone https://github.com/files-community/Files, then follow the build steps in the README.

Why can't I find a Files download or installer?

The latest release listed in the project metadata has no downloadable binaries. You will likely need to build from source, so check the releases and README for current options.

What are good alternatives to Files?

The project lists Explorer++, Double Commander and XYplorer as comparable tools. Try them if you need a different feature set or a more finished release.

What do I need installed to build Files?

The source points to Windows with Visual Studio, including .NET desktop and WinUI tooling, as a common WinUI setup. Confirm the exact prerequisites in the project README.

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Our verdict

Files suits Windows users who want an open-source, free, more modern alternative to File Explorer, and developers who want to work on a WinUI or C# app. It is a weaker choice if you need a ready-to-run, fully polished release, since the latest listed release has no downloadable binaries, or if you use macOS or Linux, where you should look at other tools.

Install options & downloads