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SPECIFICTION
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PExplorer

github.com

Free plan Windows
Visit github.com
Spec score 7.8 #15 of 39 in Start Menu Customization Software

What it is

PExplorer is the shell component of WinXShell, intended as a freely available replacement for Windows Explorer in Windows PE. The portable shell includes desktop, Start menu, taskbar and notification area components, and the project says it is based on ROS Explorer. It is available for Windows and WinPE, with the repository listing Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10, plus Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2019.

Listed capabilities include support for x64 environments, desktop wallpaper on Windows Vista and later, desktop icon drag and drop, and tray icons for 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 ClassicShell and includes a file explorer styled for the host Windows system, with automatic refresh when files change. The project is licensed under LGPL-2.1 and welcomes contributions, feedback and bug reports. The repository's master branch page lists August 4, 2019 as its update date.

Spec sheet

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

Plans and prices

Free Free Freely available program · Windows and WinPE Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every PExplorer plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free for Windows and WinPE.
  • Includes desktop, Start menu, taskbar and notification area.
  • Supports x64 environments and x86/x64 tray icons.
  • Taskbar color and height can be changed.
  • File explorer refreshes automatically when files change.

Limits

  • Designed as a shell replacement for Windows PE.
  • Master branch page lists an August 4, 2019 update.
  • Supported systems listed are Windows and WinPE.

Who it suits

PExplorer suits users setting up a Windows PE environment who want a portable shell with desktop, Start menu, taskbar and notification area components. Its customization options may also suit users who need to adjust shell behavior or appearance.

Verdict

PExplorer offers a customizable shell for Windows PE, with a broad set of desktop and taskbar components. Its listed repository update date is August 4, 2019.

Where Specifiction places it

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