Sitecore File Explorer – a hidden tool for managing files

Posted 7 Oct 2025 by Marek Musielak

Many times when I wanted to get some files from a Sitecore website, I created content pages with files in them, downloaded the package, and extracted it locally to get the files. Similarly, when I wanted to upload a new file to Sitecore CM, I created a content package locally and installed it on a remote instance. That was all before I realized there is a built-in Sitecore tool that you can use to work with files on a remote instance.

The tool URL is called Sitecore File Explorer, and you can find it in your instance using the following path: /sitecore/shell/default.aspx?xmlcontrol=FileExplorer.

There are plenty of things you can do with this tool, such as:

• create new folders,
• delete files or folders,
• zip files or folders,
• upload new files,
• download files.

You can switch between Icons, List, and Details views. You can also show or hide the folder structure.

You may think now, "Hey, is that tool something that can be abused by content authors to upload unverified files to Sitecore servers?" The answer is "No." All access rights are controlled via items in the Sitecore core database. Every single action that can be executed from this tool has a corresponding item in the Sitecore database, and thanks to that, it can be allowed for certain Sitecore roles or users.

Ok, ok. But why that blog post? It's been in Sitecore for years. Well, I've been working with Sitecore for more than 15 years, and I'd never heard about this tool before. For many of you, it will be something you already know, but maybe there is someone like me in the Sitecore world who will learn something new today, as I did.