Thunar as a Linux alternative to Windows File Explorer
Updated
Our verdict
Thunar is a good replacement for Windows File Explorer if you're using Xfce or prefer a lightweight, fast file manager. It handles basic file operations reliably—browse, copy, move, rename, delete—and supports drag-and-drop and keyboard navigation. While it lacks some advanced features like integrated full-text search or cloud sync, its simplicity and low resource use make it ideal for older hardware or minimal setups. Users coming from Windows will find the core workflow familiar, though some polish and conveniences are missing.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 4.20.10
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both allow browsing local and external drives with clear directory navigation
- Support drag-and-drop for copying and moving files
- Offer thumbnail previews for images and media files
- Enable quick renaming, deletion, and folder creation
- Provide customizable sidebar bookmarks and locations
What is different
- Thunar lacks built-in full-text search; requires a plugin or external tool
- No native integration with cloud storage like OneDrive
- Fewer visual effects and animations compared to Windows File Explorer
- Root actions require policykit or separate terminal use, not built-in 'Run as administrator'
- Plugin system needed to match some advanced features
Opening your Windows File Explorer files
Thunar opens and manages the same file types as Windows File Explorer—documents, archives, media, and system files—without issue. It reads NTFS, FAT, and exFAT drives commonly used on Windows systems. You can extract and create ZIP and other archives directly. However, Thunar doesn't natively handle .lnk files or Windows shortcuts, but this rarely affects usability. File permissions on Linux differ from Windows ACLs, but basic read/write operations translate cleanly.
Switching from Windows File Explorer to Thunar, step by step
- Install Thunar using your distro's package manager (e.g., sudo apt install thunar)
- Connect and mount external drives; they auto-appear in the sidebar
- Use the 'Edit' menu to enable dual-pane view via the 'Thunar Dual Pane' plugin if desired
- Install thunar-archive-plugin for built-in archive support
- Set Thunar as default file manager if not using Xfce
Key features of Thunar
- Fast, lightweight file browsing interface
- Built-in support for mounting and unmounting drives
- Customizable views with list, icon, and compact modes
- Supports plugins for additional functionality like file search
- Keyboard-driven navigation for power users
- Ability to create and manage archives directly
- Low memory footprint compared to heavier file managers
- Integration with Xfce desktop environment settings
How to install Thunar on Linux
sudo apt install thunarsudo apt install thunarsudo dnf install Thunarsudo pacman -S thunarsudo zypper install thunarFrequently asked questions
Can Thunar access files from a Windows partition?
Yes, Thunar can browse and open files from NTFS and FAT32 partitions if mounted. Most Linux distros auto-mount Windows drives.
Does Thunar support keyboard shortcuts like Windows File Explorer?
Yes, Thunar supports common shortcuts (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, F2 to rename) and allows custom keybindings through settings or plugins.
Can I customize the toolbar and sidebar in Thunar?
Yes, you can edit the toolbar layout and add custom bookmarks. Sidebar icons and order can be adjusted in preferences.
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