Shell is a context menu extender that lets you handpick the items to integrate into Windows File Explorer context menu, create custom commands to access all your favorite web pages, files, and folders, and launch any application directly from the context menu. It also provides you a convenient solution to modify or remove any context menu item added by the system or third party software.
Publisher’s description
What is Nilesoft Shell?
Nilesoft Shell by Nilesoft is open-source Windows software in the file managers & search category. It ranks 46th by popularity among file managers & search in this catalogue.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides MSI installers for 64-bit, ARM64 and 32-bit Windows. The main installer is 995 KB. Installation asks for administrator rights. It needs Windows 7 or newer. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches. An MSI package is available for deployment with Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager.
Updates and version history
The current version is 1.9.18, released on November 27, 2024. The version history goes back to February 21, 2023: 5 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 2.8 releases a year. The last update is more than a year old.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 33,644 times. Similar programs include Elasticsearch, Double Commander and Open-Shell.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- MSI package for managed deployment
- Documented silent install
- Small download (995 KB)
Cons
- Installation needs administrator rights
- No update for more than a year
In short: Nilesoft Shell is an open-source file managers & search tool for 64-bit, ARM64 and 32-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is Nilesoft Shell safe to download?
- The file is served by nilesoft.org, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
06A44D6831E2AAB27D8913B312AB65C3E0B1BE739D02F6F88EDFB8747C74D8A4· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- 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 5 versions ›5 versions over 2 years · about 2.8 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9.18Latest | November 27, 2024 | 995 KB | 32-bit MSI64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 1.9.15 | February 16, 2024 | 3.7 MB | Any CPU EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.9 | September 27, 2023 | 3.7 MB | Any CPU EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.9.0 | September 28, 2023 | 3.7 MB | Any CPU EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.8.1 | February 21, 2023 | 3.4 MB | Any CPU EXE (Inno Setup) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Nilesoft.Shell -echoco install nilesoft-shell -yscoop install extras/nilesoft-shellmsiexec /i setup-x64.msi /qn /norestart /qnmsiexec /x {3025C475-D665-4288-99A8-3382654F7E11} /qn /norestartRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Nilesoft
- Category
- File managers & search
- Licence
- MIT License
- Price
- Free
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 (Windows 7+)
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64, 32-bit
- Installer
- MSI
- Version
- 1.9.18
- Released
- November 27, 2024
- Added to the catalogue
- February 21, 2023
- Versions listed
- 5
- Updates / year
- 2.8
- Chocolatey downloads
- 33,644
- Website
- nilesoft.org
- winget ID
- Nilesoft.Shell
- Chocolatey package
- nilesoft-shell
- Scoop package
- extras/nilesoft-shell
- MSI product code
- {3025C475-D665-4288-99A8-3382654F7E11}
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Nilesoft Shell free?
Yes. Nilesoft Shell is open-source software under the MIT License licence.
Is Nilesoft Shell safe to download?
The download comes from nilesoft.org, 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 Nilesoft Shell 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 Nilesoft Shell be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Which Windows versions does Nilesoft Shell support?
The installer requires Windows 7 or newer and is available for 64-bit, ARM64 and 32-bit.
Does Nilesoft Shell run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of Nilesoft Shell?
The versions page lists all 5 versions with links to their official installer files, back to February 21, 2023.
What are alternatives to Nilesoft Shell?
Elasticsearch, Double Commander, Open-Shell, Files - Stable and Total Commander. The alternatives page compares them.
