You can add shapefiles to ArcExplorer with the Catalog. The Catalog is opened with the Add Layers button.
How to add shapefiles:
Click the Add Layers button to open the Catalog.
Navigate to the folder that contains shapefiles.
Click a file to add.
Click the Add Layers button.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 to add more shapefiles.
Click the Close button to close the Catalog.
Tips:
Right-click on Local and click Refresh to see an updated listing of folders and mapped drives. Right-click on a folder and click Refresh to see an updated listing of files.
Shapefiles that contain duplicate field names cannot be drawn in ArcExplorer and are thus not listed in the Catalog.
Favorites is a list of shortcuts to commonly used folders. Right-click on a folder in the Catalog and click Add to Favorites.