diff --git a/artiq/frontend/artiq_gui.py b/artiq/frontend/artiq_gui.py
index 7f5394f78..3772e5a5e 100755
--- a/artiq/frontend/artiq_gui.py
+++ b/artiq/frontend/artiq_gui.py
@@ -100,10 +100,10 @@ def main():
     smgr.register(expmgr)
     d_shortcuts = shortcuts.ShortcutsDock(main_window, expmgr)
     smgr.register(d_shortcuts)
-    d_explorer = explorer.ExplorerDock(status_bar, expmgr, d_shortcuts,
-                                       sub_clients["explist"],
-                                       rpc_clients["schedule"],
-                                       rpc_clients["experiment_db"])
+    d_explorer = explorer.Explorer(status_bar, expmgr, d_shortcuts,
+                                   sub_clients["explist"],
+                                   rpc_clients["schedule"],
+                                   rpc_clients["experiment_db"])
 
     d_datasets = datasets.DatasetsDock(sub_clients["datasets"],
                                        rpc_clients["dataset_db"])
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ def main():
     smgr.register(logmgr)
 
     # lay out docks
+    main_window.setCentralWidget(d_explorer)
     if os.name != "nt":
         main_window.addDockWidget(QtCore.Qt.RightDockWidgetArea, d_ttl_dds.dds_dock)
         main_window.addDockWidget(QtCore.Qt.RightDockWidgetArea, d_ttl_dds.ttl_dock)
@@ -133,7 +134,6 @@ def main():
         main_window.addDockWidget(QtCore.Qt.RightDockWidgetArea, d_applets)
         main_window.addDockWidget(QtCore.Qt.RightDockWidgetArea, d_datasets)
     main_window.addDockWidget(QtCore.Qt.LeftDockWidgetArea, d_shortcuts)
-    main_window.addDockWidget(QtCore.Qt.LeftDockWidgetArea, d_explorer)
     main_window.addDockWidget(QtCore.Qt.LeftDockWidgetArea, d_schedule)
 
     # load/initialize state
diff --git a/artiq/gui/explorer.py b/artiq/gui/explorer.py
index 079b1dcbe..b391b7f0e 100644
--- a/artiq/gui/explorer.py
+++ b/artiq/gui/explorer.py
@@ -115,18 +115,13 @@ class Model(DictSyncTreeSepModel):
         DictSyncTreeSepModel.__init__(self, "/", ["Experiment"], init)
 
 
-class ExplorerDock(QtWidgets.QDockWidget):
+class Explorer(QtWidgets.QWidget):
     def __init__(self, status_bar, exp_manager, d_shortcuts,
                  explist_sub, schedule_ctl, experiment_db_ctl):
-        QtWidgets.QDockWidget.__init__(self, "Explorer")
-        self.setObjectName("Explorer")
-        self.setFeatures(QtWidgets.QDockWidget.DockWidgetMovable |
-                         QtWidgets.QDockWidget.DockWidgetFloatable)
+        QtWidgets.QWidget.__init__(self)
 
         layout = QtWidgets.QGridLayout()
-        top_widget = QtWidgets.QWidget()
-        top_widget.setLayout(layout)
-        self.setWidget(top_widget)
+        self.setLayout(layout)
         layout.setSpacing(5)
         layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)