How to change the default file manager?

I've been using XYPlorer as a replacement for the standard Windows file manager for a while, and I want to use it exclusively. It has a lot of features, but a primary advantage is that you can open several folders at once with a tabbed interface and just one instance of the file manager, rather than having a bunch of Windows Explorer instances running at once.

My problem is that I have a lot of applications that open folders, and they always use the standard Windows Explorer to do it.

Are there any registry settings that I can change to make XYPlorer my default file manager?

It depends on the application. If it explicitly runs explorer.exe, I'm afraid there is nothing you can do. If it opens the folder using the default handler, maybe tweaking HKCR\Folder\shell\explore and HKCR\Folder\shell\open can help.

BTW, QTTabBar gives you tabs in Windows Explorer. I don't use it myself, but lots of people swear by it.

Thanks for the response. I don't see any obvious way to change those keys to what I want, so I guess I'm stuck.

In case anyone else has the same need, here is what I found. This worked for me with XYPlorer. Please note all the caveats about what can happen if you mess up the registry. I recommend taking a system restore point before doing anything else.

"It can be done, but you need to edit the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow the steps below carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it.

To make XYplorer your default file manager follow these steps:

Copy and then paste the following script (between the lines of ***) to an editor. Now you have to adjust the path specs to your XYplorer install path (on x64 it might be C:\\Program Files (x86)\\XYplorer\\XYplorer.exe). Then save the file as Filename.reg. Double-click Filename.reg to run this registry script. XYplorer should now be the default file manager.

****
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell]
@="XYplorer"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\XYplorer]
@="Open in XYplorer"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\XYplorer\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\XYplorer\\XYplorer.exe\" %1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell]
@="XYplorer"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\XYplorer]
@="Open in XYplorer"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\XYplorer\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\XYplorer\\XYplorer.exe\" %1"
****

To undo the registry changes above use this script:

****
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell]
@="none"

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\XYplorer]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell]
@="none"

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\XYplorer]
****

Hello
I have 2 computers, 1 running XP and 1 running Win 7
In win xp i ran
gpedit.msc
Changed the setting in Administrative Templates/common user Interface to Cubic Explorer and when i turn my computer on it will boot up with the regular windows desktop but when i for example click on my computer it uses the cubic explorer instead of the regular windows file manager. This is the way i wanted it.
However when i do this in Win 7 the system boots up with the Cubic explorer interface rather than the regular windows interface.
Is there a way to set Win 7 so it will use Cubic Explorer as the default file manager ?

I have done a lot of searching but haven't found an answer yet and when i do they are all reffering to making changes to the shell settings including the solution above. I do not want to replace the shell, i just want to use Cubic Explorer as the default file manager, not as a shell
Regards
Windsurfer