Bug: Explorer replacement does not work as seen by other apps

[SilverGreen93]

Description

Even if I set Files as Explorer replacement in Advanced settings, choosing options like "Show in Windows Explorer" in other apps still open Windows Explorer insted of Files.

Steps To Reproduce

1. Set Files as the default explorer app in Settings -> Advanced
2. Open Notepad++
3. Open any text document.
4. Right-click the tab, choose Open into -> Open containing folder in Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer is opened instead of Files.

Note that when using other alternatives to Windows Explorer, such as Directory Opus, when I choose it as a replacement to explorer, it opens correctly from Notepad++ in Directory Opus.

Files Version

3.9.13.0

Windows Version

10.0.26100.4770

User ID

a4572e3c-4109-43f3-aad3-3fd6e544edc2

Log File

debug.log

[Josh65-2201]

Thanks for the report, is Win + E opening Files

[SilverGreen93]

Thanks for the report, is Win + E opening Files

Yes, pressing Win + E does open Files.

[Josh65-2201]

Then it's an issue with the other program, send feedback to them to use the registry entry for opening Windows File Explorer rather then directly

[SilverGreen93]

No, it's not an issue with other programs. The issue is with Files :)
As I said, Directory Opus opens just fine.
Let me investigate, and I will come up with the fix...

[yaira2]

Windows doesn't currently offer an official way to set a custom file manager as the system default. To work around this, we've introduced an optional setting that intercepts system calls to File Explorer and redirects them to Files. While this approach works in many cases, it has some limitations. For example, some apps launch File Explorer directly, bypassing our work around.

If other file managers have found more comprehensive solutions, it's worth investigating how they do this. Just keep in mind that the registry keys involved were never intended to be used this way, and what might fix one issue, can just as easily introduce another...