NetExplorer is a client/server application which allows a Windows user to establish explorer style views to one or more VMS computers and the Windows computer at the same time, and to navigate or manipulate files on the VMS computers using familiar mouse clicks.

The VMS view displays the VMS computers from a VMS perspective rather than a Windows perspective. This means that the VMS computers, devices, directories, and files appear as VMS sees them with their VMS names and properties, including multiple file versions for files which have them.

NetExplorer allows the Windows user to copy or move files from one VMS computer to another using cut and paste operations which are much easier and faster than using VMS DCL commands. When the Windows user copies files from one VMS computer to another, the transfer occurs directly between the two VMS computers and not through the Windows computer. The Windows computer simply controls and activates the VMS-to-VMS copy.

If the Windows computer uses the NTFS file system, then files on the VMS computers can be copied to the Windows computer, stored there, and later copied back to a VMS computer without losing the VMS file characteristics. This can be done for all VMS file structures and formats, including indexed and relative files. The Windows view identifies which files on the Windows computer are VMS files in a new display column, and shows the VMS file characteristics as part of the file properties display.

The Windows Client and the VMS Server can communicate using either DECnet or TCP/IP. Pathworks is not required, and shares do not have to be defined in order for the VMS devices and files to be seen. NetExplorer uses the VMS login security to determine how much access and visibility the Windows computer can gain.

NetExplorer provides right mouse button functions for VMS devices and files which perform actions such as displaying device or file characteristics, and purging, deleting copying and renaming files.

A unique feature allows multiple versions of files on the Windows computer to be stored on a VMS computer. The Set Snapshot feature allows a target VMS device and directory to be associated with a file on the Windows computer. A copy of the Windows file is sent to the target location whenever the file is selected and the right button Snapshot item is clicked. This allows multiple versions of a Windows file to be saved as changes are made to the file. A prior version of the Windows file can be retrieved from the VMS computer at any time.