Previous post: I introduced SPAN Finder, a Miller Columns file explorer for Windows built with WinUI 3.
The feedback on the first release was encouraging, but one question kept coming up:
"Cool, but can it actually replace Windows Explorer?"
Honestly? v1.1.1.0 couldn't. Middle-click for new tabs? No. Run as Administrator? No. Drive formatting? No. These tiny, invisible features that Explorer handles — they add up
fast.
v1.1.2.0 is the "no more excuses" update. Here's what changed.
## 🖱️ Middle-Click to Open in New Tab
Click the middle mouse button on any folder, drive, or sidebar favorite — it opens in a new tab. Just like your browser. Once you have it, you can't go back.
## 🪟 "Move to New Window" in Tab Context Menu
Tab tear-off via drag already existed. Now you can also right-click a tab → "Move to New Window." Small addition, big convenience.
## 📍 Recent Locations AutoSuggest
Click the address bar and your recently visited folders appear as a dropdown. No more retyping the same paths over and over.
## 🌍 Localized Folder Navigation
This one I'm particularly proud of.
On a Korean Windows, the Downloads folder displays as "다운로드". On Japanese Windows, it's "ダウンロード". Previously, typing these display names in the address bar would fail
— they're not real paths.
Now SPAN Finder resolves 100+ OS display names via the Known Folder API. Type "다운로드", "ダウンロード", "Téléchargements" — it just works.
## 🖥️ Virtual Folder Navigation
"Control Panel", "This PC", "Network" — type these in the address bar and navigate directly. Works in 10 languages.
## ⌨️ Shell Command Execution
Type cmd, powershell, calc, or notepad in the address bar to launch them directly. The terminal opens at the current path.
## 🛡️ Run as Administrator
Right-click .exe, .msi, .bat, or .cmd files for a UAC-elevated launch option. The feature Explorer always had — now SPAN Finder has it too.
## 📋 Shift+F10 — Full Native Context Menu
Press Shift+F10 anywhere to get the full Windows shell context menu, including third-party extensions. No selection needed.
## 📊 Status Bar Selection Size
Select multiple files and the status bar shows "3 selected (15.2 MB)" — the aggregate size. Useful before copying to a USB drive.
## 💽 Drive Context Menu
Right-click a drive for Format and Disk Cleanup actions.
## 📁 Empty Area Context Menu
Right-click empty space in a folder for Undo and Folder Properties.
## 🏠 Set as Default File Manager
Go to Settings → set SPAN Finder as your default file manager. Double-clicking any folder or drive will open SPAN Finder instead of Windows Explorer.
## The Goal
v1.1.2.0 had one goal: make Windows Explorer optional, not required.
There's still work ahead, but for day-to-day file management, SPAN Finder can stand on its own now.
📦 Download
If you find it useful, a ⭐ on GitHub goes a long way for a solo developer.
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