Best Local Explorer - Open File Links in Chrome Alternatives in 2026
Local Explorer - Open File Links in Chrome is a strong option, but it is not the right fit for everyone. Below are 0 alternatives compared on rating, install base, pricing and the use case each one actually wins on.
About Local Explorer - Open File Links in Chrome
Enable local file links in Chrome or Edge by using the Local Explorer browser extension. It lets you browse and open local file links directly in your web browser. Local Explorer can enable local file links and open them in associated application when clicked. For examples, click a folder link to open Windows Explorer, click *.docx file to open MS Word, click *.avi file to open Windows Media Player, and so on... You may use Local Explorer to open local file links & folder links to hard disk drives, Azure Active Directory or company's shared folders, mapped network drive directly in corporate website or local host site. EXAMPLES C:\Users\my_user_name\Documents ("My Documents" folders) \\10.0.0.1\shared\local\folders\files (network drive) W:\folder\ and W:\folder\file.docx (on webpages they're "file:///W:/folder/" and "file:///W:/folder/file.docx") NOTES - Currently it works only on Windows. We built this long ago for our in-house system and it's free. If you find any problem, contact us at support@vnprodev.com or click "Send Feedback" button before you post a negative review. - The extension started to support Unicode since version 2022.11.30.
Comparison at a glance
| Extension | Rating | Users | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Explorer - Open File Links in Chrome (original) | 3.6 | 90K+ | Free | Enable local file links to hard disk, Azure AD & company shared folders, mapped network drive directly in corporate/local host site. |
Local Explorer - Open File Links in Chrome alternatives in detail
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Local Explorer - Open File Links in Chrome?
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Is there a free alternative to Local Explorer - Open File Links in Chrome?
Most options in this category are freemium, with a usable free tier for evaluation.