The Browser Panel is actually a very useful part of QGIS

It just sits there quietly most of the time, minding its own business but actually the Browser Panel is really quite useful and powerful if you take the time to get to know it!
Have a look at this video to see what I mean, because you can do stuff like:
- add data from the internet
- manage and organize your files
- drop in files directly from your folders
- view shapefiles / geopackages etc without opening them first
- view metadata, and other details about your files
- export your layers to new file formats
- save file locations as Favorites to make adding data faster
- plus lots more - take a look!
See my intro and intermediate QGIS courses for more: www.udemy.com/...