File Explorer is the default app for managing information on Home windows. Regardless of enhancements over time, it has remained a irritating software to make use of as a result of it’s so gradual and clunky. It’s been such an issue that a few of us even began exploiting a bug to make File Explorer quicker.
Whereas I’ve tried another options, File Pilot is the primary that has ever pushed me to delete the File Explorer shortcut from my taskbar.
The very first thing that stands out about this app is its pace. Not like Home windows File Explorer, which regularly lags when loading massive directories, File Pilot opens folders immediately. When testing it this week, I used to be in a position to simply flick through my onerous drives and SSDs with none slowdown. And that’s whereas utilizing the beta—which is freely accessible.
Even animations really feel extremely easy. As an alternative of inflexible viewing modes, File Pilot gives a slider-based system the place you may regularly swap between a listing view, particulars view, and huge icons—all with fluid transitions. It’s a type of small however satisfying options that make an enormous distinction.
However the app isn’t nearly pace—it’s designed to spice up productiveness by using tabbed searching, a split-screen view, and even an inspector mode that permits you to view the contents of a folder with out having to completely open it. The “Go To” characteristic is very nice, too, as a result of it searches for issues immediately—in contrast to File Explorer.
Customization is one other space the place File Pilot shines. You may remap keyboard shortcuts, tweak fonts and spacing, and alter the colour scheme. Should you desire, you may even toggle animations on or off. This allows you to adapt the app to your workflow quite than forcing you to regulate to it.
Whereas this File Explorer alternative has plenty of potential, it’s not fairly excellent but. It doesn’t help community searching and may’t exchange File Explorer by default (with out requiring you to tweak the registry). Nonetheless, the developer says they’re actively engaged on enhancements earlier than the total launch.
Should you’ve been looking out for a quick, customizable, and trendy various to File Explorer, File Pilot is without doubt one of the finest choices I’ve tried. Regardless of solely being in beta, it’s already proving to be the file supervisor Home windows customers deserve.
The one huge draw back I’m not significantly enthusiastic about is {that a} $50 license (the choice that most individuals will seemingly select) solely will get you a yr of updates. If you need lifetime updates, you need to spend $250… and that value goes up as soon as the beta ends. For now, although, you may obtain the app and check out it out your self free of charge.
