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How to start the new Modern File Manager in Windows 8.1 (aka ‘Blue’)

Update: This trick is no longer necessary for Windows 8.1 RTM where the bundled Modern File Manager in the SkyDrive app is fully functional.

If you downloaded the build of Windows 8.1 that leaked recently, you may have come across a new hidden Modern File Manager app designed for touch screens. It has no shortcut and is not visible in the application list. The Modern File Manager's files are located in the C:\Windows\FileManager folder.

Windows Blue File Manager

If you have already installed Windows 8.1, you may want to explore Modern File Manager. Follow this simple tutorial to learn how it can be done.

  1. Download and install Visual C++ 2012 x86 Runtime from here. Choose the appropriate download option.
  2. Download this tiny app: StartApp.exe. Put it inside any folder, for example, C:\FM
  3. Open command prompt at C:\FM. Or you can press Win+X keys on the keyboard, choose Command Prompt, and type cd /d c:\fm.
  4. Run the following command
    StartApp FileManager_cw5n1h2txyewy!Microsoft.Windows.FileManager

That's it.

Windows Blue File Manager

See the File Manager  app in action in the following video:

Thanks to our friends at MDL for sharing this tip.

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Author: Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

2 thoughts on “How to start the new Modern File Manager in Windows 8.1 (aka ‘Blue’)”

  1. Здравствуйте. Если я правильно понял запуск возможен только через командную строку?

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