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PExplorer

PExplorer is the shell component of WinXShell, intended as a freely available replacement for Windows Explorer in Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE).

Place
#9 of 39
Score
6.3
PExplorer's website

What PExplorer is

PExplorer is the shell component of WinXShell, intended as a freely available replacement for Windows Explorer in Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE). It is a portable shell with desktop, Start menu, taskbar, and notification area components, and the project says it is based on ROS Explorer. The listed supported systems include Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10, Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2019, and WinPE. Listed improvements include x64 support, wallpaper on Windows Vista and later, desktop icon drag and drop, and tray icons for x86 and x64 software. Customization options include binding a third-party file explorer, changing Start menu actions, and adjusting taskbar color and height. PExplorer also supports ClassicShell and includes a file explorer styled for the host Windows system, with automatic refresh when files change. It is licensed under LGPL-2.1. The project welcomes contributions, feedback, and bug reports; its master branch page lists an update date of August 4, 2019.

Good

  • Includes desktop, Start menu, taskbar, and notification area.
  • Supports x64 environments.
  • Offers taskbar and Start menu customization.
  • File explorer refreshes when files change.
  • Licensed under LGPL-2.1.

Watch out

  • The listed master branch update date is August 4, 2019.
  • Designed for Windows and WinPE.

Who it suits

PExplorer may suit Windows users who need a portable shell for WinPE or want to replace Windows Explorer. Its listed support spans desktop Windows versions and Windows Server releases.

Verdict

PExplorer combines core shell components with several customization options and a host-styled file explorer. Check the listed system support and project update information before choosing it.

Plans and prices

From PExplorer's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
FreeFreeFreely available program · Windows and WinPE

The facts

Each one read from PExplorer's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

64-bit support
The listed improvements include support for x64 environments.checked 8 Oct 2026
Architecture
The listed improvements include support for x64 environments and tray icons for both x86 and x64 software.checked 9 Oct 2026
Basis
PExplorer is based on ROS Explorer.checked 9 Oct 2026
ClassicShell
The project lists support for the third-party Start menu application ClassicShell.checked 8 Oct 2026
Contributions
The README welcomes code contributions, feedback, and bug reports.checked 8 Oct 2026
Contributions and support
The maintainer invites code contributions and welcomes comments, feedback, and bug reports.checked 9 Oct 2026
Customization
The project says users can customize integrations with third-party file explorers, start menu actions, and taskbar color and height.checked 9 Oct 2026
Desktop features
The project lists wallpaper support and drag-and-drop desktop icons among its improvements.checked 9 Oct 2026
File explorer
The project lists a new file explorer with a host Windows style and automatic refresh when file changes occur.checked 9 Oct 2026
License
The repository lists the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1 (LGPL-2.1).checked 9 Oct 2026
Part of WinXShell
The project describes itself as the shell part of WinXShell, with source code in the WinXShell_shellpart branch.checked 9 Oct 2026
Portable shell
The project describes PExplorer as a portable shell program with desktop, Start menu, taskbar, and notification area components.checked 8 Oct 2026
Project activity
The repository's master branch page lists its update date as August 4, 2019.checked 9 Oct 2026
Purpose
PExplorer is a portable shell program intended to replace Windows Explorer for Windows PE.checked 9 Oct 2026
Start menu integration
The project lists support for the third-party start menu application ClassicShell.checked 9 Oct 2026
Supported systems
The project description lists Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, and Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE).checked 9 Oct 2026
Tray icons
The project lists tray icon support for both x86 and x64 software.checked 8 Oct 2026

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