A dual-pane file manager for Windows 11 with tabs, Quick View, and copies that list every conflict up front and show their speed.
Publisher’s description
What is File Labs?
File Labs by Protagonist Labs is open-source Windows software in the file managers & search category. It is written in C#.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (Inno Setup) installers for 64-bit Windows. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 1.0.53, released on October 26, 2026. The version history goes back to September 23, 2026: 27 releases, all linked to the official files. The last update is less than a month old.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 94 times. The source code on GitHub (limburatorul/file-labs) has 5 stars. Similar programs include Elasticsearch, Double Commander and Files - Stable.
Project description on GitHub: “A free dual-pane file manager for Windows 11 with a copy engine that shows what it is doing.”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Updated in the last two months
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: File Labs is an open-source file managers & search tool for 64-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is File Labs safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
088997C5EFEC6B969AB35B060C4AC41EF869226BC9643C0BB8F9B874E6360A87· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 27 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0.53Latest | October 26, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.0.51 | October 25, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.0.50 | October 25, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.0.48 | October 24, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.0.47 | October 22, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.0.45 | October 22, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.0.43 | October 22, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.0.42 | October 21, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id ProtagonistLabs.FileLabs -echoco install file-labs -yFileLabs-1.0.53-setup.exe /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART /SP-Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Protagonist Labs
- Category
- File managers & search
- Licence
- MIT
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/limburatorul/file-labs
- Written in
- C#
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (Inno Setup)
- Version
- 1.0.53
- Released
- October 26, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- September 25, 2026
- Versions listed
- 27
- Chocolatey downloads
- 94
- GitHub stars
- 5
- Website
- protagonistlabs.app
- winget ID
- ProtagonistLabs.FileLabs
- Chocolatey package
- file-labs
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to File Labs
See all ›-
Proprietary146.2K ↓ -
Open source718.5K ↓ -
Open source136.3K ↓ -
Open source861.2K ↓ -
Total Commander11.58Total Commander is a modern file manager with plugin support in the classic 2-window style of the DOS era.Proprietary909.6K ↓ -
Service Bus Explorer6.3.1The Service Bus Explorer allows users to connect to a Service Bus namespace and administer messaging entities in an easy mannerOpen source180.1K ↓ -
Path Copy Copy20.0Path Copy Copy is an add-on for Windows Explorer that adds contextual menu items on all files and folders allowing the user to copy the path(s) in various formats.Open source66.2K ↓ -
Open source25.2K ↓
Frequently asked questions
Is File Labs free?
Yes. File Labs is open-source software under the MIT licence.
Is File Labs safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install File Labs with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can File Labs be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does File Labs run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of File Labs?
The versions page lists all 27 versions with links to their official installer files, back to September 23, 2026.
What are alternatives to File Labs?
Elasticsearch, Double Commander, Files - Stable, Open-Shell and Total Commander. The alternatives page compares them.
