Windows Explorer has at all times appeared like part of a small automotive’s toolkit: completely usable, however restricted to the essential features.
Over the years, Microsoft has repeatedly revised the software program and added a search perform that, upon nearer inspection, proves to be surprisingly advanced. However, the working idea of Explorer continues to be not intuitive and tends to hinder clean working.
Software corporations and unbiased builders due to this fact seized their alternative early on and offered options for extra highly effective file managers, that are also known as “commanders.”
There are two several types of file managers:
- On the one hand, there are packages which, like Windows Explorer, solely provide one window. They are clearer as there are fewer management components resembling icons and menus.
- On the opposite hand, additionally, you will discover many packages that work with a two-window view. In this case, you’ll should first discover your method across the interface, however they make copying processes simpler.
Free Commander XE
Free Commander is on the market in 32- and 64-bit variations. However, solely the 32-bit model is free to make use of.
Free Commander combines its features in a contemporary, largely self-explanatory interface.
Free Commander
The program includes a dual-window view, with tabs in every window that gives one-click entry to out there drives. The format has massive, modern-looking icons, the design of which makes it straightforward to infer the assigned perform.
Free Commander additionally consists of instructions for packing and unpacking ZIP recordsdata, for synchronizing two folders, or for altering attributes and timestamps. A handy possibility means that you can set favourite folders for faster entry.
Multi Commander
The builders of Multi Commander are additionally followers of two-window know-how. Their file supervisor is on the market in 32- and 64-bit variations in addition to a transportable model that permits you to copy onto a USB stick.
Multi Commander helps you’re employed productively with quite a few auxiliary instruments resembling batch renaming.
Multi Commander
Using the mouse and keyboard differs barely from Windows Explorer, so there could also be a brief adjustment interval. However, Multi Commander is a quick and very feature-rich device.
It can, as an example, rename a number of recordsdata in a single go, edit metadata in audio and video recordsdata, create backups of recordsdata and folders, and even play audio recordsdata instantly throughout the file supervisor.
Multi Commander is by far probably the most complete of the free instruments. The SE model, which is on the market within the Microsoft Store, has the benefit of automated updates.
Double Commander
Double Commander comes from the open supply scene. The program is on the market in 32- and 64-bit variations in addition to transportable variations.
Double Commander
The idea of the consumer interface is harking back to Free Commander: tab bars are organized above the 2 home windows, permitting you to rapidly swap to the put in drives. A particular function of this system is that it may possibly create symlinks, i.e. symbolic hyperlinks to recordsdata and folders, in addition to onerous hyperlinks.
Additional features embody calculating and verifying checksums, synchronizing folders, splitting massive recordsdata, and, after all, all the standard instructions for marking, copying, and shifting recordsdata.
The interface, with its small icons, is just not as clear because the one in Free Commander, but it surely adheres to Windows requirements and is due to this fact rapidly understood.
One Commander
One Commander leaves it as much as the consumer to resolve whether or not they want to work with a single or dual-window view. The buttons on the backside of this system window mean you can swap the view rapidly.
One Commander
The program can be versatile in different methods. For instance, it presents a darkish mode and an obtain various icon packages from the web site upon request.
Its operation is just like Windows Explorer. Folders and recordsdata might be copied and reduce by way of the right-click context menu. Marking is completed by urgent the Shift or Ctrl keys whereas clicking.
One Commander presents direct entry to the OneDrive folder and remembers which folders have been final opened in a historical past.
Overall, nonetheless, the function set doesn’t prolong a lot past what you’re used to in Windows Explorer. The essential benefit of One Commander is its dual-window view.
Paid file managers
In addition to the free program, there are additionally paid choices for file administration. Here are among the most notable ones:
- Total Commander: An extended-standing basic within the subject, Total Commander nonetheless impresses with its clear, dual-pane format and options resembling an FTP and LAN shopper, a complicated search perform, and built-in archive assist.
- SpeedCommander: This is the second main basic amongst file managers. It can connect with community drives and FTP servers and features a hyperlink to the Windows formatting perform. The dual-pane interface is evident and well-structured, and drives might be accessed instantly by way of buttons.
- XYplorer: XYplorer adopts the single-pane type of Windows Explorer however consists of an choice to show a second pane. It expands the Explorer function set with scripting capabilities and allows you to add recordsdata and folders to a favorites listing. The paste perform can be considerably enhanced—as an example, copied recordsdata might be pasted instantly as ZIP archives to a selected location. Although this system could appear modest at first look, its full potential turns into clear with continued use.
Xyplorer
Q-Dir
The Q in Q–Dir stands for Quad, indicating probably the most excellent function of this system. It opens 4 home windows initially, which you’ll be able to then organize horizontally and vertically in numerous patterns or cut back it to a few or two.
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The performance of this free software program largely mirrors that of Windows Explorer. For instance, Q-Dir makes use of Windows file supervisor’s context menu. However, customers can customise the format and the seen components to a a lot larger extent than in Explorer.
As an added function, Q-Dir presents the choice of constructing folders rapidly accessible by way of a favorites listing.
Common Windows Windows instruments such because the command immediate or PowerShell might be accessed instantly from the file supervisor, and the software program also can print folder constructions and begin scanning processes.
File Voyager
The producer of File Voyager advertises this system because the “Swiss Army knife of file management” to emphasise its complete performance.
File Voyager
However, the vary of features is definitely not that in depth. What is spectacular concerning the software program is the trendy interface with its three-dimensional controls, clear group, and two-window view.
Like the packages from Microsoft’s Office suite, File Voyager works with ribbons as an alternative of menus. If you click on on a menu, a brand new ribbon seems with new instructions.
Below the ribbons is a small bar that you should use to ship the chosen recordsdata to TeamViewer, to the put in mail program, to the Documents folder, to the desktop, to a zipped folder, or to a tool paired by way of Bluetooth.
However, not all of those shortcuts labored in our take a look at.
In addition to the standard instructions for choosing, copying and shifting recordsdata, File Voyager comes with an intensive number of viewers and its personal pack perform. It additionally consists of its personal audio and video gamers, which play the chosen recordsdata in a single pane to be previewed within the different.
The builders have adopted the required codecs from the open supply participant VLC. The picture and video preview may also be enlarged to full display screen.
File Voyager is without doubt one of the greatest, if not the most effective, free Explorer various available on the market. However, the nice impression is spoilt by an instability that was noticed a number of instances in our take a look at. For instance, the device usually pauses for a very long time and even freezes when studying drive or folder contents.
File supervisor for Android
File managers aren’t simply out there for Windows, they’re additionally used on smartphone and tablets. Due to the smaller display screen dimension, their format seems completely different, and dual-pane views are uncommon. However, the core options are often there.
- Google Files: Google’s file supervisor comes pre-installed on all newer Android units. It shows probably the most not too long ago seen recordsdata on the beginning web page and organizes the recordsdata on the smartphone into the classes “Downloads,” “Images,” “Videos,” “Audio,” “Documents,” and “Apps.” The consumer also can mark recordsdata as favorites or transfer them to a safe folder, which they’ll shield with a PIN or sample. The machine’s file system might be accessed via “Internal storage,” whereas “Other storage” offers entry to cloud providers like OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
- Total Commander: Unlike its Windows counterpart, Total Commander for Android is freed from cost. The app offers all the required file actions and also can set up the recordsdata in response to numerous standards resembling dimension or creation date. Photos might be edited instantly within the app. Files may also be despatched on to different community units utilizing the small WLAN switch add-on program.
- X-plore: This file supervisor presents a variety of features: it may possibly create ZIP archives, function an FTP server and Wi-Fi entry level, and entry community shares. If desired, the app can create a password-protected vault for storing delicate information and entry crucial cloud providers. The solely level of criticism are the small icons with barely legible labels.
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This article initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.