~~Title: Explorer Replacement ~~
<pageheader/>

One of the key features of Directory Opus is its //Explorer Replacement// mode.

<WRAP round info>
To clarify exactly what we mean by Explorer Replacement:\\ 
\\ 
Whenever an action is taken that would ordinarily result in a File Explorer window opening, a Directory Opus window (Lister) will open instead.
</WRAP>

==Activating Explorer Replacement==
Explorer Replacement mode is controlled by the options on the **[[:preferences:preferences_categories:launching_opus:explorer_replacement|Launching Opus / Explorer Replacement]]** Preferences page. Selecting any option other than **Don't replace Explorer** activates Explorer replacement mode.

==Windows + E key==
On Windows 10 and above, the <kbd>Win+E</kbd> is intercepted by a different process to Explorer Replacement, and can be set to open Opus even if replacement mode is disabled, from the [[:preferences:preferences_categories:launching_opus:launching_opus_from_the_win-e_hotkey|Launching Opus / From the Win + E hotkey]] Preferences page.

==Getting to File Explorer when replacement is enabled==
When Explorer Replacement mode is enabled, it is still possible to get to File Explorer if desired:

  * From the Start Menu, select **Run** (or push <kbd>Win+R</kbd>) and enter //explorer.exe// 
  * Right//-//click on any folder and choose **Open in Explorer** from the context menu 
  * Click the pinned Explorer icon on the taskbar 

==Explorer replacement limitations==

Even when Explorer replacement mode is enabled, there are some cases when Explorer will continue to open:

  * Subject to the setting on the **[[:preferences:preferences_categories:launching_opus:explorer_replacement|Launching Opus / Explorer Replacement]]** page, a Lister may not open for all types of folder. 
  * A program that [[http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2007/04/30/2332224.aspx|specifically invokes Explorer]] may not be able to be intercepted by Opus (although many times it will). 
  * Opus will never open the Control Panel (or its various sub-pages) - they will always open in Explorer.

Opus does **not** replace the desktop (which is actually implemented by explorer.exe), nor does it replace the standard File Open / Save dialogs in other applications.


==Explorer replacement in USB mode==

Explorer Replacement requires changes to the Windows registry and so is generally unavailable when running a [[:additional_functionality:exporting_to_usb|USB exported version]] of Directory Opus, however there is an option to temporarily make the registry changes needed (which might work, depending on your user permissions, or it might not).