The Windows Explorer reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer is the application used in modern versions of Microsoft Windows for displaying file and directory listings and information. Windows Explorer, which originally was completely distinct from the Internet Explorer web browser, debuted in Windows 95 as a replacement to the older Windows Program Manager. In addition to file management, Windows Explorer deals with functions tied to the Windows "Start" menu (Run, Settings, Documents, Programs). Windows Explorer also controls the Windows searching function and File Type associations (based on filename extensions).

With the release of Windows 98, Windows Explorer became based on Internet Explorer technology, most notably with the addition of navigation arrows for moving between recently visited directories. Many see this as another example of Microsoft's anti-competitive tactics of tying their software applications into the operating system. In Windows Me, the navigation arrows are smaller than in Windows 98.

In Windows XP, Windows Explorer is significantly different than in previous Windows versions; by default, the Luna interface is used but can be turned off if desired.

Windows Explorer has the option to provide thumbshots of graphic files, and of the rendering of HTML-files including graphic files and other HTML-files referred to.

This can be done:

• one-by-one, in a detail panel showing details about a selected file; in Windows 98 a HTML-file can be edited to customize the detail panel, e.g. the size of the thumbshot
• of all files in a folder, with the view-miniatures setting
• within a folder pictogram, of up to four files in that folder

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