Files&Folders Pro heads to Windows Phone to become another universal app

By Daniel Rubino
last updated

If you are into file managers, you already have a selection of some top notch offerings these days for Windows Phone, including one from Microsoft. Files&Folders Pro is from the developers at Finebits OÜ, who make popular apps Torrex Pro for torrents and 8 Zip archiver for Windows Phone 8.1.

What makes Files&Folders Pro unique is that you can now have the app together on Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1. I tinkered around with the both versions of the app over the last day, and they do bring much functionality to the table. Let's take a look at their features.

Files&Folders Pro – Windows Phone 8.1

  • File and folder options (copying, moving, renaming, deleting)
  • Opening and extracting files from archives (RAR, ZIP, 7z, ZipX, ISO, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ARJ, XZ, CAB...)
  • OneDrive support
  • Dropbox support
  • Adding folders to Favorites and pinning them to the Start Screen
  • Support for multivolume archives

Files&Folders is pretty straightforward, as it lets you copy and move items around your device, or in between OneDrive and Dropbox. As expected, pressing down on a file or folder reveals a pop-up menu for copy, cut, delete or renaming. You can also pin files or folders to your Start screen, and there is support for transparent tiles.

Currently, there are three themes, but my hunch is Bing wallpaper, and personal backgrounds will be added to match the Windows 8.1 version.

Files&Folders Pro is fast enough on my Lumia 1520, and I am generally a fan of the work done by Finebits OÜ. Considering the app is free right now, I see no reason to not try it. Is it better than others out there? We'll have to do a shootout at some point, but for now, you can tell us what you think.

Download Files and Folders Pro for Windows Phone Windows Phone 8.1 only

QR: files folders

Files&Folders Lite/Pro for Windows 8.1

If you have a Surface, tablet or other Windows 8.1 PC, you may want to grab the Files&Folders app, either Lite or Pro, depending on your needs. Personally, I am still a fan of the default Explorer we all know from classic Windows, but having a Modern file manager can have its benefits too. Here's what Files&Folders can do:

  • File and folder options (copying, moving, renaming, deleting)
  • Opening and extracting files from archives (RAR, ZIP, 7z, ZipX, ISO, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ARJ, XZ, CAB...)
  • Built-in viewer and media player (doc, docx, rtf, jpeg, png, bmp, gif, tiff, mp3, wma, m4a, aac, wav, ac3, avi, 3gp, wmv, mp4, m4v, mov, mkv)
  • Audio playback in the background
  • OneDrive support
  • Dropbox support
  • Snapped mode support
  • Adding folders to Favorites and pinning them to the Start Screen
  • Charms support: Search and Share
  • Operating with the system Clipboard (copying to the Windows Explorer)
  • Themes and backgrounds, Bing wallpaper
  • Video and image preview
  • Autorun when inserting portable devices and flash drives
  • Hotkey commands

The Pro version, which runs for the not-so-cheap $7.99, brings Dropbox support, built-in viewer and media player and archive support for opening and extracting files. Besides those differences, the Lite and Pro are the same app.

I noticed on my Surface I had to let the app build up a database of my files before it would show me all the files. The process took a few minutes as it was checking my OneDrive too, so that when I hit "Music" it shows all my music, and not just what is local. It is a bit annoying, and to be honest, but my suspicion is this is more a limit of Modern apps, that Files&Folders. Otherwise, the app is fast for choosing folders and using various commands. I also do like the ability to customize the look of the app.

The Lite version is, of course, free, but you can also trial the Pro version as well, in case you are really like what the app offers. Choice is always good and so we like how Finebits OÜ doesn't force anything on you.

Give both apps a shot and let me know what you think in comments!

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Executive Editor

Daniel Rubino is the Executive Editor of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft here since 2007, back when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Microsoft Surface, laptops, next-gen computing, and arguing with people on the internet.

87 Comments
  • App link broken
  • Personally I dont find file manager so useful on my WP there was a hype of getting 1 but later realised I dont use it at all ..!!
  • I used it to manage downloaded files (either via IE or torrents). It's pretty neat to download torrent on the go (so when I start the download on the office, I still can continue the download without the need to open my laptop). But different people have different preferences. :)
  • Gz, your reply has nothing to do with the OP's comment
  • Without file managers you wouldn't have been able to share pdfs via Bluetooth, or attach multiple docs, or hide your porn without having to connect to a PC :P
  • Truth
  • İyi
  • The lite version send me to Pro version and it's free, sorcery ?
  • me too, another free "paid" version yay!
  • Same
  • Shouldn't there be an IAP for premium? weeird. But hey, good for us :3
  • Well, it truly does seem like a free pro version. :3 teehee   At least for the WP 8.1 version. But since it's universal app, guess it's the same for Windows 8.1 Anyone checked? Got no PC near me atm.
  • I checked the first second :P but i've 15$ left in my account i don't want to lose 8$ for something i already have :( i clicked buy, then i got "confirm or cancel" so i don't know if it works or nope
  • HM, I've checked the second link for the Pro version of the app for the Windows and it says
    $7.99
    Free trial available Guess you gotta pay for the Pro one, and the Lite one is free. Will check it on my PC when I get to it.
  • I installed the WP one and when I search the pro one in Windows store on my surface, it says $7.99. I clicked buy and it asked me to confirm, I confirmed, the app installed but nothing was charged to me (so far) usually get notificarions within seconds for purchase. Anyone else can confirm this?
  • That's weird that u didn't have it written that you own this universal app. What I'm thinking is that it could just didn't have time to update that you own the app. Though that trick you did is probably the same. Cheers.
  • well, that defeat the purpose of universal app maybe we should press confirm ? 
  • Ha, I've just checked it on my PC. After installing the Pro version for free on my 1520, the Pro version in Windows store on my PC says that I own this app and can install it for free. Seems like it is truly the free Pro app :3
  • Haha just checked, downloading now
    it's funny because we got the app for free when it costs 8$ ^^ well, maybe it's bonus to every WP user ? :D
  • I got busy at work and wanted to post this yesterday. It said the same for me after I did the same steps. Now I have it loaded free for both and all Pro features work. Free Pro Universal App!
  • Well...it's time to delete all the old file managing apps:)
  • Parsing error..
  • Speaking of universal apps since when was twitter a universal app cause I just noticed it
  • It became universal after today's update.
  • Nice
  • The stupid thing is that their not even the same app.  That kind of gives the 'universal' app concept a false perception and really only is regarding the price of the app and not the app itself.  Like none of the latest updates from the past versions of the awesome phone version are not in the PC version and the PC version hasn't been updates in AGES.
  • True although it may just foreshadow that an update for the pc one is imminent
  • Okay
  • Files and folders, knees and toes, knees and toes... hahah I had to share this thought for some reason
  • Dat free "pro" version tho...
  • Try "Show in browser" then press the link provided in the article
  • Would be interesting to se a shoot out vs Pocket Explorer which have to be the king of explorers right?
  • Hace you tried Pocket File Manager? It looks you don't.
  • Obviously were bored and need Cyan
  • GERMANY! WOO!!! And for tomorrow, GO ARGENTINA!!
  • I'm shocked :(
  • D: Nuu! Holland
  • That was brutal
  • "Download App" isn't working..
  • See in browser and follow link
  • Finebits OÜ are rocking lately, Torrex Pro, 8 Zip. Now this. Good, what else can I say.
  • +1
  • Another great app from a great developer.
  • I have to add that its very nice to look at, very good looking app.
  • Yes!
  • An honest question: Is there any feature(s) Files&Folders Pro offers that I can't get from the official Files from Microsoft for Windows Phone?
  • Apart from the fact that it is slower than the Files app, it does have an option to change color theme. Well, other than that it has OneDrive, Dropbox support. Nothing nor I believe. It's a matter of one's preferences to choose one of them for using.
  • Microsoft's Files cannot move or copy folders. So techincally EVERY third party file manager is better.
  • Apps crash when scrolling pictures list in SD card.
  • Try
  • Isn't there a FREE version from Microsoft that does a wonderful job?
  • On Windows 8? No. Or are you talking about the app I mention in the first sentence?
  • Daniel, it does seem free. I mean the pro version for Windows 8.1. Well at least for me. After installing it on my Lumia 1520, the Pro version for Win8 says that I own this app and I just installed it for free. Does it mean I got the Pro version for free or could it be just a trial? Hmm
  • Yeah the Windows 8.1 PRO version also became free after i installed the WP one on my phone. Basically the Pro version is NOT free on Windows, but it is currently free for Windows Phone. However since it is a "universal app" once you get it for free on WP it becomes free on Windows too.
  • Exactly
  • I've just remembered about one of their apps Metro Commander for Windows. Does it mean they are ditching it for the Files & Folders universal app? Seems like they share the functionality... P.S. How do you check the version of the app and the date of the latest update in the Windows 8.1 store? Doesn't seem to be there, unlike the WP8.1 store.
  • Sounds like a great app ... If you need a File Manager, you must check it out.
  • Found a bug, when adding a folder to the home screen, after choosing Sd card, it made a broken link on the home screen of the app, which led me to nowhere when clicking it. Though after choosing any of the folders from SD card to add, it also created the link to Sd card(not to that folder I chose, which seems to work, but is still a bug. Well, it really is slower than Files, but still good.
  • Nice
  • I use OneDrive.  No need for anything else.
  • Looks cool
  • Logo and icon are ugly
  • Awesome application. Please bring more apps for free which will make us love and enjoy more our Windows Phones.
  • File manager has no files shown downloaded from wptorrent and similiar apps? Why not? OS LIMITS?
  • WP torrent downloads torrents directly into it's own sandbox. You have to move your downloaded content into user files for a file manager to see them. I recommend using Torrex Pro isntead of WPtorrent, because it downloads files directly into user files (and can let you pick a destination).
  • Is it free???
  • I love this developer. All his apps are simply amazing!
  • Improvement required.
    Combined files showing in default folders.
    SD card addition, bugs r there.
  • Yeah, adding SD card is a mess. After adding SD card it gave me a non working link to SD card. After adding any folder of my SD card, it gave me a link to SD card. Now I have 2 links to SD card on the app home screen, and one of those is broken.
  • Same here
  • This app slower than "files"
  • Yeah, it really does seem slower.
  • Please get a new logo though. The '&' doesn't tell anyone using my computer that, that is the file manager. Need some type of actual folder symbol in the logo. Also need to fix the glitch where all of a sudden folders become unopenable until a reboot.
  • a #MustHave app for Windows platform, realm wish play back support is/comes to the WP8.1 though... Would be the best .mkv player!
  • I got the WP app, it said PRO not LITE! Went on my (new) account on Win8.1 to get the universal app, which it said I already own, soo...no 7.99!?!?! Yet it won't install...saying purchase can't be completed because my connection is slow (...it's not)...
  • Guess you have some issue with your connection, or it's maybe the store. About the price, I had it for free too. I guess everyone does. Don't you like saving eight bucks? :3
  • Not for Lumia owners
  • We need this features on the official Files from Microsoft. Hope they will come soon
  • Super buggy. Uninstalled...
  • Same
  • I think the official one is better than this..
  • The one from microsoft is best :)
  • This developer is making very good app for this platform frist 8zip then torrex pro now files& folders pro
  • crashes everytime after a minute or two...  (HTC 8x)
  • Lol where did you get the "OÜ" from??
  • While I love all this diversity and options regarding file managers, Microsoft's files app gets the job done and is perfect for my needs at the moment. Still, downloaded and gave a five star review, it looks like a great app, and I want to encourage the developer's hard work! :)
  • Thnx