Dolphin is the default file manager on the KDE desktop, helping you navigate and browse your local and cloud files. Even though it’s usually discussed as a Linux application, you can actually install it on Windows as an alternative to Microsoft’s built-in File Explorer.

Many KDE applications are available and fully supported on Windows and Mac, such as the Kdenlive video editor and Krita digital art creator. Dolphin is also in that category of cross-platform KDE apps, though the Windows version is more of an experimental project. You have to download the latest daily version from KDE’s build server. After installation, Dolphin is available in the Start menu.

Dolphin might feel a bit out of place on Windows, but it generally works the same as on Linux. The sidebar already has common Windows folders like Desktop, Documents, Music, and Pictures, as well as any internal or external drives. You can change the order of the shortcuts, remove some of them, or add more folders by dragging them from the main window.

Dolphin also has the expected multi-tab and dual-pane views, so you can quickly jump between different folders without a mess of overlapping windows. The File Manager on Windows 11 finally added tabs in 2022, but if you’re still on Windows 10, that might be a helpful upgrade. The keyboard shortcuts and menus also seem to be roughly on par with Dolphin on Linux.