Problem with events changing behavior of QListWidget

[wysota]

There may be some small reasons (I don't know if they can be "moved" to the qdirmodel solution) - like detecting file MIME (and based on this - icon).

Yes, that's not a problem. You use QFileIconProvider for that.

Should I use the model instead of QListWidget/QDir?

Yes, I think so. Also bear in mind there are two file-system models - QDirModel and QFileSystemModel, so choose the one that's best for your needs.

And regardless of whether you use model based approach or item based approach reimplementing low level events where appropriate signals are available might not be the best idea.