How to Replace the Windows Explorer Shell

The Windows Explorer shell is the program that the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems uses to load new programs into memory. The shell is also used to display the various contents of your computer's hard drive when you open the "Explore" or "My Computer" menus. You can replace the Windows Explorer shell with any of a number of third party shells that change how this information is displayed, such as giving the shell the ability to have multiple tabs open like a web browser.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Open your computer's web browsing program and navigate to a website that offers a replacement program for the Windows Explorer shell such as "Xplorer 2" (see Resources below). Locate the link to download the replacement and click on it. Click on "Save File" when the Windows operating system prompts you to confirm what action you want to take.

2. Wait for the file to download to your computer's hard drive and then close your web browser. Open the folder where you downloaded the file. Double-click on the file name and then choose "Allow" when the operating system opens a new window asking for your permission to continue.

3. 
    
   Installing the Xplorer 2 Shell Replacement

   Click on the "Next" button when the program's installation wizard appears on the screen. Click the radio button at the bottom of the window marked as "I Accept the Terms and Conditions" and then click on "Next" again. Leave the installation folder at the default location and then click on "Next."

4. Click on the check box marked as "Create Quick Launch Button" if you want the program to have a quick launch icon in the system tray at the lower left end of the desktop. Click on the check mark with the phrase "Replace Windows Explorer" if you want the shell replacement to always run in place of the standard Windows Explorer Shell.

5. Click on the "Next" button and then click on the "Install" button at the bottom of the window. Wait for the replacement explorer shell to finish installing and then click on "Finish." Double-click the desktop icon for the replacement explorer shell program to use the new explorer shell.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are running the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, you may have to open the installation file by right-clicking on it and choosing the "Run as Administrator" option. This option will only be available if you are currently logged into an administrative account on the computer. If you don't mark the "Replace Windows Explorer" box, the normal Windows Explorer shell will run when you open the "My Computer" icon unless you double-click the replacement shell's desktop icon first. If you want to return to the original Windows Explorer shell all you have to do is uninstall the replacement shell by going into the "Programs and Features" menu of the Control Panel.
• Not all shell replacements are meant to work with every version of the various Microsoft Windows operating systems. Always check to make sure the shell you want to use is compatible with your version of Windows.

References

• Replacing Windows Explorer Shell
• How To Replace Windows Explorer Shell

Resources

• List of Windows Shell Replacement Downloads
• Windows Shell Extension City
• Windows Vista Shell Replacements