Frequently Asked Questions

Is SPAN Finder free?
Does SPAN Finder collect telemetry?
Can I replace the default Windows file explorer with SPAN?
What languages does SPAN Finder support?
Where are my settings stored?
How do I reset SPAN Finder to default settings?
Does SPAN Finder work on Windows 10?
Does SPAN Finder support ARM64?
Can I use SPAN Finder without installing it from the Store?
How do I report a bug?
How do I request a feature?
Does SPAN Finder support network drives?
Does SPAN Finder work with cloud storage (OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud)?
Is there a portable version?
How do I uninstall SPAN Finder?
What is the File Shelf?

Is SPAN Finder free?

Yes. SPAN Finder is free and open source under the MIT License. If you’d like to support development, you can sponsor on GitHub or use the in-app Coffee / Hamburger / Steak support tiers via Microsoft Store.

Does SPAN Finder collect telemetry?

No. SPAN Finder does not collect, transmit, or store any usage data. Sentry is used for crash reports only — all file paths are scrubbed before sending, and you can opt out entirely in Settings → Advanced → Crash reporting. See our Privacy Policy.

Can I replace the default Windows file explorer with SPAN?

Partially. SPAN Finder can register itself as the default handler for folder navigation. Go to Settings → Advanced → Set as default file manager.

Note: Some apps (like Chrome’s “Show in folder”) hard-code calls to explorer.exe and cannot be redirected. This is a Windows API limitation, not a SPAN bug.

What languages does SPAN Finder support?

9 languages: English, 한국어, 日本語, 中文 (简体/繁體), Deutsch, Español, Français, Português (Brasil).

Change the language in Settings → Appearance → Language.

Where are my settings stored?

In %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\LumiBearStudio.SpanFinder_<hash>\LocalState\.

Settings, workspaces, shelf state, and keyboard shortcuts are all stored as JSON files in that directory. You can back them up or copy them to a new machine.

How do I reset SPAN Finder to default settings?

Delete the contents of %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\LumiBearStudio.SpanFinder_<hash>\LocalState\ and restart the app. This resets all settings, workspaces, and saved connections.

Does SPAN Finder work on Windows 10?

Yes, from Windows 10 version 1809 (October 2018 Update) onward. Some visual effects like Mica background blur are Windows 11-only but all core features work on Windows 10.

Does SPAN Finder support ARM64?

Yes. Both x64 and ARM64 builds are available on the Microsoft Store and GitHub Releases.

Can I use SPAN Finder without installing it from the Store?

Yes. Download the .msix package from GitHub Releases. You’ll need to trust the signing certificate first — see Troubleshooting for instructions.

How do I report a bug?

Open a GitHub issue. Include your Windows version, SPAN version (Settings → About), and steps to reproduce. The more detail, the faster we can fix it.

How do I request a feature?

Start a GitHub discussion in the Ideas category.

Does SPAN Finder support network drives?

Yes. Network shares (UNC paths like \\server\share) appear in the sidebar under Network and work like local drives. For direct SSH/SFTP access, use Remote Connections.

Does SPAN Finder work with cloud storage (OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud)?

Yes. SPAN Finder detects cloud sync folders automatically and shows real-time sync status badges on files. Cloud-only files (not yet downloaded) are handled safely — previews use the Shell thumbnail cache and never force a download.

Is there a portable version?

Not currently. SPAN Finder is distributed as an MSIX package, which requires installation. A portable build is not planned as it would conflict with the MSIX security model.

How do I uninstall SPAN Finder?

Uninstall via Settings → Apps (or the Microsoft Store). Note: if you set SPAN Finder as the default file manager, Windows will automatically fall back to explorer.exe when the app is removed.

What is the File Shelf?

The Shelf is a Yoink-style temporary holding panel on the right edge of the window. Drop files onto it from any folder, then navigate to the destination and click Move here or Copy here. See File Shelf for full details.