- QTTabBar integrates tabs, extra views, and shortcuts directly into Explorer to help you work faster.
- Allows you to customize the interface, add command bars, and use mouse-over previews.
- It is free, open source, and compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.
- It offers alternatives if you're looking for more features, but stands out for its native integration.
If you use Windows Explorer every day, adding tabs, dual views, and shortcuts is a life-changer. With QTTabBar You can get it without paying or complicating your life by integrating these functions directly into the Windows folder window. It's a veteran utility that many advanced users have been using for years to work more efficiently and in an organized manner.
Developed by QuizoApps and offered as free and open source software, QTTabBar extends the native capabilities of Explorer with things like tabbed browsing, mouse-over preview, keyboard shortcuts, and extra command bars. In other words, converts the Explorer in a file manager much more flexible, maintaining its appearance and without having to change programs.
What is QTTabBar and what does it do for Windows Explorer?
QTTabBar is a Shell extension that embeds itself into Windows Explorer windows to add tabs and other utilities. By enabling its toolbars, Explorer itself incorporates a tab bar at the top and various optional panels to work with files and folders without opening dozens of windows.
The magic happens because QTTabBar installs certain hooks on the Explorer and safely modifies its behavior to offer features such as middle-clicking on folders to open them in a new tab or preview tooltips When you hover over images, text, or videos, everything is seamlessly integrated and controlled with familiar controls.
This tool should not be confused with a web browser: the tabs are from the Explorer, not Internet Explorer or Edge. The trick is to bring together several system locations in a single window, something that reduces the chaos of multiple windows and greatly speeds up operations such as copying, sorting or comparing content.
In addition to the tabs, QTTabBar adds details that make a difference: for example, you can change the color of a file name to highlight it, or when you hover over a folder icon you will see a small square with a blue arrow to open its contents on the fly without entering it. They are tiny shortcuts that add up to constant time savings.
It is worth knowing that, although there are also paid tools like Groupy that mimic the concept of browser-type tabs, QTTabBar offers a free and very mature alternative focused on Explorer, with options that Windows does not have as standard and that many users have been missing for years.
Key features and practical tips
The star of the house is the tabbed browsingYou can open multiple folders in a single window and jump between them with a click, just like in your browser. This makes repetitive tasks, such as comparing paths or dragging files, much faster and clean.
Another important asset is its customizable interface. You can adjust the colors, size, and location of the tabs, as well as decide how they are displayed and grouped. This is where the folder grouping, ideal for having sets of related locations always at hand and organized.
The keyboard and mouse shortcuts are a gold mine. A very practical example: the middle click on a folder icon opens it in a new tab; double-click on an empty space within the window, it returns you to the previous folder (as if you were pressing Back). These are small aids that speed up navigation without changing your habits.
For those who review many files, the preview pane and the dynamic tooltips are incredibly convenient. When you hover over them, you can see previews of images, texts or videos without opening them, avoiding interruptions and saving constant clicks.
You can also create favorite folders To access routes you use every day in a snap, check the location history recent files or group and separate tabs with separators. This combination of features covers most advanced needs without the need to install a separate file manager.
Interface, customization, extra views and command bars
Once active, QTTabBar integrates into the Explorer as if it were seriesYou will see the tab bar at the top and if you want you can move or position it. on the bottom of the window so that everything looks more in line with your tastes or the layout of your screen.
The system Extra Views is another of its strong points. It allows you to open a second folder view within the same window, either on the left or at the bottom. This way, you can work with two paths at once, each with its own tabs, and move files between them seamlessly.
If you need buttons at hand, activate the QT Command Bar 1/2. They are two fully customizable command bars where you can add action buttons and plug-ins, shortcuts, or frequently used functions, all without cluttering the main view. It's ideal for building a productivity micro-dashboard tailored to your workflow.
Customization is extensive: from tab behavior to panels, shortcuts, and overall look. In the Option menu You can adjust almost every detail, such as middle-click actions, key combinations, colors or visual rules for highlight names of relevant files.
A practical note: some content found on wikis includes editing blocks of the site itself (links to edit the page, view attachments, etc.). These elements are foreign to QTTabBar and should be ignored, as they are not part of the program's functionality.
Step-by-step installation, activation and basic use
The installation is painless: download the installer from the official site or from FileHorse and follow the on-screen instructions. After installation, restart Windows for Explorer to load the components. In some packages, to register the extension, you are prompted to run RegisterQTTabBar.exe with a double click, a quick step that leaves everything ready.
To activate tabs, open any Explorer window and display the Ribbon. In the tab Eyeglasses check the option QTTabBar; you'll see the tab bar appear at the top. If you prefer, you can also place it down to maintain the classic look of your desktop.
Using tabs is immediate: right-click on a folder and choose Open in new tab, or use the shortcut Ctrl + T. If you prefer the mouse, just press the central button Hover over the folder icon to open it in another tab instantly.
For Extra View, go into the Explorer options and enable Extra View choosing its position: left (left) or bottom (bottom). Each view works in a different way independent with her eyelashes, as if they were two windows within one, ideal for copying or comparing without changing context.
Tricks that hook: when you hover over a folder you will see a box with blue arrow to access its contents without entering. If you hover over a file, you will see immediate previews (images, text, video), and if you double-click on an empty space in the folder you can go back. To mark important documents, you can change name color and always have them located.
If fiddling with settings makes something go wrong and Explorer becomes unstable, QTTabBar creates a shortcut in the Start menu to open Explorer in "Safe Mode" (no add-ons). It's a safety net that allows you to revert or revise your settings without any hassle.
Compatibility, requirements, licensing, advantages, disadvantages, alternatives and project status
QTTabBar works on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows and is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11. Its installer is simple and the integration is transparent: after installing, the Explorer detects the extension and you can use it immediately with options enabled.
As for resources, with a modest team he has more than enough: 1 GHz CPU1 GB of RAM for 32-bit (2 GB for 64-bit) and the disk space required by Windows (16 GB for 32-bit, 20 GB for 64-bit) are general compatibility guidelines. This means that, in practice, any current PC will be able to run it without breaking a sweat.
The project is distributed as free and open source software, so you can use it for free. Many download sheets and descriptions on portals like FileHorse are translated by your team, which makes it easier to understand its functions if you do not master English.
Clear advantages: adds tabs to the Explorer, offers a highly customizable interface, supports keyboard and mouse shortcuts, is free, and runs on several versions of Windows. However, its reach in advanced management It doesn't go as far as some professional file managers, although for most users that won't be a problem.
In the alternatives showcase you have several options: Directory Opus (professional suite with tabs and an arsenal of features), Total Commander (classic with double panel and high customization), XYplorer (tabs and adjustments galore), FreeCommander (simple and comfortable) and Multi Commander (multitab and Explorer replacement). They all offer similar solutions, but QTTabBar stands out for inject all this into the Explorer without forcing you to change tools.
On current maintenanceHistorically, there have been phases of updates and others of lesser activity, something common in niche projects. If you already have it installed and want a more stable or recent version, the safest route is consult the official site from the developer or trusted repositories and portals like FileHorse, avoiding downloads from dubious sources. As for Clover, was also popular for adding tabs, although its pace of development has been uneven; if it worked well for you, you can assess its current status by visiting its official channels.
Finally, remember that QTTabBar includes tab options accessible by right-clicking on each tab to fine-tune its behavior and visual aspects. With a little initial configuration, you can leave it totally to your liking and work with the Explorer at another level.
QTTabBar is a safe bet if you are looking for tabs, extra views and shortcuts directly within Windows Explorer, with extras like hover previews, folder grouping, favorites, history, and command bars with plugins. All in one tool. free, flexible and well-integrated which, with four settings, makes your daily workflow smoother and more organized without changing your habits.
Table of Contents