
Successive versions of Windows (and in some cases, Internet Explorer) introduced new features and capabilities, removed other features, and generally progressed from being a simple file system navigation tool into a task-based file management system. There is also a shortcut key combination: Windows key+ E. Explorer could be accessed by double-clicking the new My Computer desktop icon or launched from the new Start Menu that replaced the earlier Program Manager. Windows Explorer was first included with Windows 95 as a replacement for File Manager, which came with all versions of Windows 3.x operating systems. Controlling the computer is possible without File Explorer running (for example, the File ▸ Run command in Task Manager on NT-derived versions of Windows will function without it, as will commands typed in a command prompt window). It is also the component of the operating system that presents many user interface items on the screen such as the taskbar and desktop. It provides a graphical user interface for accessing the file systems. 22H2 (1.1631) (April 13, 2023 5 days ago ( ) ) Beta ChannelĢ2H2 (4.1610) (April 13, 2023 5 days ago ( ) ) Dev Channelĥ.1000 (April 14, 2023 4 days ago ( ) ) Canary ChannelĦ.1010 (April 11, 2023 7 days ago ( ) ) įile Explorer, previously known as Windows Explorer, is a file manager application that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows 95 onwards.
