Windows File Explorer has come a long way. While it offers many features, if you still want to customize it further, you can use freeware called QTTabBar. This software enhances the Explorer experience by adding quick access tools. In this post, we will share all the features that QTTabBar offers.
QTTabBar – Customize Explorer
After installing the core program and updating it to its latest version, launch Windows Explorer. To enable this feature, open Windows Explorer, switch to the View Tab, and then click on options.
Like I said earlier, QTTabBar enhances Explorer by adding additional tabs and quick access buttons. These buttons let you perform some actions that usually require 3-4 mouse clicks. Let’s explore them one by one.
What I liked about it is the flexibility and ability to use it the way individual users like it. It’s highly configurable and useful in daily usage. Don’t get distracted by the Windows XP-like user interface. It’s the experience you get using it that makes a difference.
QT Command Bar
- Bookmark folder.
- Just like browser history, go back, and forward to recently used folders.
- Close active tab, current tab, close tabs on the left and right.
- Pin Tabs
- Toggle “Extra view.”
You can also customize this command bar by adding more icons, separator, change icon size, lock toolbar, choose to drag and drop to subfolders with its hierarchical navigation feature.
It goes to the program’s most used mode, along with the tabbed view. If you need to navigate between folders often, this will save you a lot of time on a daily basis.
QTTabBar/QTTabBar Bottom
If you want to create tabs within explorer, enable QTTabBar and press ctrl+tab. It will add browser-like tabs where you can open different folders in each of them. When you right click on any folder, you can open in a tab, another view, or in a new window. Enable QTTabBar Bottom, if you want the tabs to be available at the bottom section of the explorer.
QT Command Bar-Vertical/QT Command Bar 2
It enables access to folders, my computer, legacy control panel, Command Prompt and all drives on your hard disk. Since you get hierarchical navigation, you can keep navigating to underneath folders and save a lot of clicks.
Extra View Left/Extra View Bottom
It’s like Windows Explorer, but with a bigger view. You get to see a preview of images, folders, and so on. The real use is having two Windows Explorers side by side, and then you can move files between them.
Read: How to use Tabs in File Explorer in Windows 11
QTTabBar Configuration
You can access the software configuration when you enable the QT Command Bar. You can manage even the small feature available in the software. It includes managing the history of browsed folders, tabs, toolbars, events, appearance, changes folder background, subfolder menu and more.
Here is the list of some unique features I found in QTTabBar:
- Pin folders
- Image Preview
- It can remember desktop icon positions.
- Supports keyboard shortcuts to navigate between them quickly.
- Use it as an Application Launcher. You can add programs along with arguments and a working folder.
- Create groups with most-used folders, drivers and system folders.
- Copy folder path, name, when you have multiple tabs open, you can copy the path of all of them.
I have been using the Tab and the command bar frequently. It mostly helps me find files and folders much faster than a manual method or even a search. However, the options are overwhelming, and you will have to spend some time learning them.
You can download QTTabbar from its homepage.
Read next: Windows File Explorer replacements and alternative software.
