NautilusLinux
vs
Windows ExplorerWindows
Nautilus as a Linux alternative to Windows Explorer
Updated
Our verdict
Nautilus is a solid Linux counterpart to Windows Explorer for anyone who wants a graphical file manager that integrates with the desktop, handles local and remote locations, and offers basic batch operations. It feels familiar enough for Windows users while exposing GNOME‑specific features like extensions and a searchable sidebar. Power users who rely on deep scripting or multiple panes may miss some Windows‑only tweaks, but for everyday browsing, copying, and renaming, Nautilus works well. It’s especially suitable for users adopting the GNOME desktop or any modern Linux environment that ships with it.
- License
- LGPL-2.1
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 51.1
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Browse local drives and folders
- Copy, move, delete files via drag‑and‑drop
- Context‑aware right‑click menu with common actions
- Thumbnail previews for images and videos
What is different
- No native multiple‑pane view (split‑view is limited to tabs)
- Less integrated with Windows‑style Quick Access shortcuts
- Limited built‑in support for advanced file‑type associations compared to Windows
- No built‑in zip handling UI (relies on external tools)
Opening your Windows Explorer files
Nautilus can open any file that the underlying Linux system can read, including files created on Windows. It does not need to “export” anything from Windows Explorer; you simply copy the files to a Linux filesystem and Nautilus will display them. Metadata such as NTFS permissions may be lost or mapped to Linux equivalents, but regular documents, images, and archives work without issue.
Switching from Windows Explorer to Nautilus, step by step
- Install the GNOME desktop or ensure Nautilus is installed via your package manager
- Copy your important folders from Windows to a Linux partition or external drive
- Open the copied folders in Nautilus to verify contents and permissions
- Configure favorite locations in the sidebar for quick access
- Optional: Install extensions (e.g., nautilus‑image‑converter) to add missing features
Key features of Nautilus
- Integrated GVFS support for FTP, SFTP, SMB, and cloud services
- Search bar with live filtering
- Tabbed browsing and split‑view mode
- Customizable toolbar and extensions via GNOME Shell
- Batch rename and bulk operations
- Thumbnail previews for images and videos
- Drag‑and‑drop support across different locations
- Context‑aware right‑click menu
How to install Nautilus on Linux
sudo apt install nautilussudo apt install nautilussudo dnf install nautilussudo pacman -S libnautilus-extensionsudo zypper install nautilusFrequently asked questions
Can Nautilus access Windows network shares?
Yes, through GVFS it can mount SMB/CIFS shares, letting you browse them like any other folder.
Does Nautilus support tabbed browsing?
It provides tabbed browsing and a split‑view mode, which covers most multi‑folder workflows.
What about handling zip files?
Nautilus can open zip archives using the archive‑manager backend, but it lacks a dedicated UI for creating archives; you use the context menu or external tools.
