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PExplorer

Free plan Windows

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PExplorer's own site

What PExplorer is

PExplorer is a portable Windows shell program and the shell component of WinXShell. It is intended as a free replacement for Windows Explorer in Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE), and the project says it is based on ROS Explorer. Its shell components include a desktop, Start menu, taskbar, and notification area. The repository lists Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10, Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2019, and WinPE as supported systems.

Listed capabilities include x64 support, desktop wallpaper support for Windows Vista and later, desktop icon drag and drop, and tray icons for both x86 and x64 software. Users can bind a third-party file explorer, change Start menu actions, and adjust taskbar color and height. PExplorer also supports the third-party Start menu application ClassicShell. Its file explorer is styled for the host Windows system and refreshes automatically when files change. The project is licensed under LGPL-2.1 and welcomes code contributions, feedback, and bug reports. PExplorer is part of WinXShell, with source in the WinXShell_shellpart branch. The repository's master branch page lists an update date of August 4, 2019.

Who it suits

PExplorer suits people building or using a Windows PE environment who want a portable shell with a desktop, Start menu, taskbar, and notification area. It may also fit Windows users who need the listed shell customization options and support for ClassicShell.

What it does well

  • Available free for Windows and WinPE.
  • Includes desktop, Start menu, taskbar, and notification area components.
  • Supports x64 environments and tray icons for x86 and x64 software.
  • Allows changes to Start menu actions and taskbar color and height.
  • Includes a host-styled file explorer that refreshes when files change.
  • Licensed under LGPL-2.1.

What to know first

  • Its intended replacement role is specifically for Windows PE.
  • The repository's master branch page lists an update date of August 4, 2019.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
FreeFreely available program · Windows and WinPEFree

As github.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Visit the PExplorer project on GitHub.
  2. Use the project for Windows or WinPE on a listed supported system.
  3. Review the WinXShell_shellpart branch for its source code.

Verdict

Choose PExplorer if you need a free, portable shell for WinPE with desktop and taskbar components and adjustable shell settings. It is less suited to people seeking a product designed primarily for general Windows Explorer replacement outside its stated WinPE purpose.

Questions

Is PExplorer free?

Yes. It is freely available, and the listed Free plan costs nothing.

Which systems does PExplorer support?

The repository lists Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10; Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2019; and WinPE.

What does PExplorer include?

It is a portable shell with desktop, Start menu, taskbar, and notification area components.

Is PExplorer open source?

The project is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1 (LGPL-2.1).

Can I customize the shell?

Listed options include binding a third-party file explorer, changing Start menu actions, and adjusting taskbar color and height.

Where can I find the source code?

PExplorer is part of WinXShell, and its source code is in the WinXShell_shellpart branch.

Facts from PExplorer's own pages

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

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