ExplorerBlurMica adds background blur or acrylic Mica effects to Windows Explorer on Windows 10 and 11.
Open source
24 alternativesQTTabBar
QTTabBar adds tabbed folder browsing to Windows Explorer for navigating multiple locations in one window.
About QTTabBar
QTTabBar is a small open-source tool that adds tabbed folder browsing and other enhancements to Windows Explorer, so several locations can be handled in a single window. It is distributed through a GitHub repository and has been updated for .NET 4.8 and modern Windows. Plugins add functions such as file operation tools, a tree directory pane and a status bar. Organisation of the tool follows the conventions of the original Quizo version, with an additional Chinese-localised fork that keeps a window-capture function and adds Chinese features for domestic users.
Key features
- Tabbed folder browsing inside Windows Explorer windows
- Plugins for file operations, tree directory and status bar
- Double-click an empty folder area to go up one level
- Hover previews of text files and photos or media files
- Installer installs .NET Framework 4.8 automatically if absent
- Chinese-localised fork with added Chinese features
Best for: Windows users who want tabbed folder navigation and extra Explorer features in one window.
Good for
- Open source repository with source, changelog and translations
- Updated for .NET 4.8 and modern Windows versions
- Extensible through plugins and configurable options
Watch out for
- Windows only
- On Windows 11 the auto-attach option is marked experimental, requires restarting Explorer, and works alongside Explorer's native tabs instead of a QTTabBar tab bar
- Building from source requires Visual Studio 2022, WiX Toolset v3.14 and NotifyPropertyWeaver
QTTabBar at a glance
- Website
- github.com/indiff/qttabbar
- Category
- Software & Utilities › Desktop Customization
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Windows
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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QTTabBar FAQ
How is QTTabBar installed?
Run QTTabBar Setup.exe; the installer will install .NET Framework 4.8 automatically if it is not already present.
How is QTTabBar activated on Windows 11?
Windows 11 removed the classic Explorer toolbar. Open QTTabBar Options, on the Window tab tick "Enable QTTabBar on every Explorer window (experimental, must restart Explorer)", click OK and restart Explorer. On Windows 11 it works alongside Explorer's own native tabs rather than showing its own tab bar.
Where are error logs written?
To %APPDATA%\QTTabBar\QTTabBarException.log.
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