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basic_concepts:explorer_replacement
Explorer Replacement
One of the key features of Directory Opus is its Explorer Replacement mode.
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.
Activating Explorer Replacement
Explorer Replacement mode is controlled by the options on the 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 Win+E is intercepted by a different process to Explorer Replacement, and can be set to open Opus even if replacement mode is disabled, from the 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 Win+R) 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 Launching Opus / Explorer Replacement page, a Lister may not open for all types of folder.
- A program that 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 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).