Frequently Asked Questions


Installation and Configuration

Issues

Other



Upgrading from the 32-bit version to the 64-bit version

The Easy Way

Simply click on the menu command “Help | Online Support | Upgrade to 64-bit version” and follow the instructions. The process takes less than a minute.

The Manual Way: Download and Installation

Here is a direct download link to the latest 64-bit version (v28.00) of XYplorer. Download and unzip the file, then run XYplorer64_28.00_Install.exe.

The 64-bit version is installed in a different location than the 32-bit version (C:\Program Files\XYplorer versus C:\Program Files (x86)\XYplorer). When you first open the 64-bit version, you can choose to have it inherit your current 32-bit settings (recommended) or start with a fresh, default configuration. Both versions, 32-bit and 64-bit, can be installed and run side by side without problems.

If you have a portable installation, note that the 64-bit version is fully compatible with the 32-bit version's configuration files. Simply overwrite the executable files (XYplorer.exe and XYcopy.exe) to continue working seamlessly.

License

If you already have a license for the 32-bit version, you don't need a new one. It will just work.

Advantages

The 64-bit version has several advantages over the 32-bit version:

  • XYplorer.exe is a 64-bit executable with full support for 64-bit preview handlers, 64-bit thumbnail providers, 64-bit IFilters, 64-bit shell context menu, 64-bit codecs, 64-bit you name it (XY64.exe, XY64ctxmenu.exe, and XY64contents.exe are no longer needed).
  • Full Unicode support throughout the user interface, so that all Unicode characters work always and everywhere, regardless of the OS system language (aka locale).
  • Full ID3v2Tag read and write (e.g. when editing MP3 files).
  • The ability to use more than 4GB of RAM for heavy operations.
  • Much larger string memory (no more 100 MB limit).
  • Zero dependencies. You can throw it into any Windows (from XP onwards). It's all included.
  • Future: Full multi-threading (XYcopy.exe is no longer needed).
  • Future: XYplorer will be even faster than it already is thanks to a greatly improved compiler.
  • Future: Cross-platform support: Mac, Linux and Android.

Known Issues of the 64-bit Version

There are some remaining issues that should be resolved within the next few weeks:

  • A crash may occur when using the Microsoft Simplified Chinese Input Method Editor (IME) to rename a file.
  • A crash may occur when using the "Move, but keep both files" option in the Win11 overwrite prompt.
  • The startup time is up to three times slower than that of the 32-bit version (but it's still under two seconds on an average machine).
  • Other than in the main window (Preview Tab, Preview Pane), animated GIF, HTML, ZIP, and SVG files cannot be previewed. You may get error 91.
  • The html scripting command does not work. You may get error 91.
  • If you open XYplorer immediately after booting up Windows, the layout may be completely destroyed. Restarting XYplorer will resolve the issue for the current Windows session.
  • When using multiple monitors, problems may arise with the layout when moving the app between monitors with different custom scalings (DPI).

    Workaround

    As a temporary workaround, the problems can be significantly improved by changing the properties of XYplorer.exe or the shortcut to it. To do so, right-click on the file or shortcut and select Properties, then open the Compatibility tab and click "Change high DPI settings", then check the "Override high DPI scaling behavior" box and select "System" under "Scaling performed by:".

    Check the "Override..." box and select "System".

    The workaround has a price, though: the app will look blurry on scaling other than 100%.