Find a Replacement for Windows Explorer

I've always been a bit confused by Windows Explorer, the stock Windows file manager. Microsoft all but buries the program in the OS, making it ridiculously difficult to find (hint: right-click Start and choose Explore). Plus, it's practically the same no-frills file manager it was 10 years ago, never evolving beyond a rudimentary file/folder tree. (Granted, it finally got an overhaul in Vista -- but who uses Vista?)

All the more reason to choose a substitute. The only tough part is making a decision, as there are literally dozens of Explorer alternatives. Web site Simplehelp has a roundup of 10 file managers -- some free, some priced as high as $67.95 (!) -- all of them rated and reviewed. The top freebies? mtExplorer and Unreal Commander, which the author praises as "minimalist" and "powerful," respectively. If you don't like any of these choices, there's an earlier roundup that compares 15 other Explorer alternatives.

Got a favorite you'd like to recommend? You know the drill: Hit the Comments link up top.