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PExplorer
What it is
PExplorer is the shell component of WinXShell, intended as a free Windows Explorer replacement for Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE). The project describes it as a portable shell with desktop, Start menu, taskbar, and notification area components, based on ROS Explorer. The repository lists Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10; Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2019; and WinPE as supported systems. Listed improvements include x64 support, 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 supports the third-party Start menu application 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 code contributions, feedback, and bug reports. It identifies PExplorer as part of WinXShell, with source code in the WinXShell_shellpart branch; the repository's master branch page lists an update date of August 4, 2019.
For and against
For
- Free for Windows and WinPE.
- Includes desktop, Start menu, taskbar, and notification area.
- Supports x64 environments.
- Can bind a third-party file explorer.
- Supports ClassicShell.
Against
- The repository lists its master branch update as August 4, 2019.
- Its intended replacement use is Windows PE.
- Windows support is limited to the listed systems.
The verdict
PExplorer offers a portable Windows shell with configurable taskbar and Start menu options, plus a host-styled file explorer. Its repository lists an update date of August 4, 2019.
Who it suits
PExplorer may suit people setting up a portable shell for Windows or WinPE environments who want desktop, Start menu, and taskbar components. Its stated purpose centers on replacing Windows Explorer in WinPE.
Plans and prices
Free
Freely available program · Windows and WinPE
Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- 64-bit support
- The listed improvements include support for x64 environments.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Architecture
- The listed improvements include support for x64 environments and tray icons for both x86 and x64 software.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Basis
- PExplorer is based on ROS Explorer.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- ClassicShell
- The project lists support for the third-party Start menu application ClassicShell.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Contributions
- The README welcomes code contributions, feedback, and bug reports.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Contributions and support
- The maintainer invites code contributions and welcomes comments, feedback, and bug reports.github.com · read 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 · read 9 Oct 2026
- Desktop features
- The project lists wallpaper support and drag-and-drop desktop icons among its improvements.github.com · read 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 · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository lists the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1 (LGPL-2.1).github.com · read 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 · read 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 · read 8 Oct 2026
- Project activity
- The repository's master branch page lists its update date as August 4, 2019.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PExplorer is a portable shell program intended to replace Windows Explorer for Windows PE.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Start menu integration
- The project lists support for the third-party start menu application ClassicShell.github.com · read 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 · read 9 Oct 2026
- Tray icons
- The project lists tray icon support for both x86 and x64 software.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
