ShellBags Explorer

What ShellBags Explorer does

Guided SUSA tool journey

ShellBags Explorer supports Windows artefact analysis. In this guide, you will use it to identify a folder-interaction record and explain its evidential limitation. The procedure and screenshots provide the practical reference; the surrounding context explains what to record and how to judge the result.

Tool guide at a glance

Investigation task

Identify a folder-interaction record and explain its evidential limitation.

Starting material

A verified copy of the relevant Windows artefact from a supplied training image.

Successful outcome

A parsed observation with source path, parser version, timestamp meaning, and corroboration note.

Evidence and safety

Retain the original artefact and parser output. Treat a parsed record as an observation, not automatic proof. Record the input identifier, tool version, relevant commands or settings, time and time zone, output location, and any errors or limitations as you work.

Choose your journey

01Understand the evidenceLearn the Windows artefact analysis concepts and limitations.Complete when you can explain what the evidence can and cannot show.Beginner · No tool required · 15–25 min 02Follow the ShellBags Explorer guideWork through the commands, screenshots, and instructional sequence below.Complete when the documented workflow produces its expected output.Guided · SUSA workstation · Time varies 03Interactive labPractise the tool workflow in a safe browser simulation.Complete when the guided result is supported by the case evidence.Beginner · Browser only · 10–20 min 04Full LabInvestigate an authorised training scenario with fewer prompts and preserve a reviewable result.Complete when another analyst can reproduce and verify the outcome.Intermediate · Isolated lab · 45–90 min

How the labs complement this guide

The Interactive Lab is a safe browser simulation for practising the workflow and validation logic. The Full Lab is an independent exercise for an isolated, authorised environment. Confirm the installed tool version and expected output before relying on either exercise in a real case.

Accessing ShellBags Explorer in SUSA

ShellBags Explorer is a tool created by Eric Zimmerman that helps investigators analyse Windows ShellBag artefacts, a useful source of user activity evidence.

ShellBag data can indicate that folders were represented in Windows Explorer, including folders that no longer exist. Treat this as contextual evidence rather than proof that a particular file was opened, and correlate the result with link files, Jump Lists, Registry ownership and file-system timestamps.

The tool is available in C:\Tools\Zimmerman Tools\net9\ShellBagsExplorer.