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XYplorer is another strong contender. It uses a tabbed view rather than a two pane view which is better when working with multiple folders though not quite as efficient as the two pane approach when working with only two. XYplorer is packed with features included one of the best file-finders I've seen. It's one of those products that impresses more with use. In fact I suspect that if you use it for a month, you'll end up using it permanently. Unfortunately, the free version of XYplorer has been discontinued, but the last free version that was released (v5.55) can still be found on various unofficial sites.
Some folks just love FreeCommander, a classic two pane Norton Commander style manager. It's certainly powerful but I find the interface a little dated. However it's free for both private and commercial use and that's a big plus.
This software category is maintained by volunteer category editor javelincts. Registered site visitors can contact him by clicking here.
xplorer² lite
Website: http://zabkat.com/x2lite.htm
Download link: http://zabkat.com/x2lite.htm
Author: Nikos Bozinis
Date: 07/02/2008
Version: 1.7.1.4 LITE
Download file size: 2.7 MB
License: Free for private or academic use
Operating systems supported: Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP/2003/Vista
64 Bit version available: no, but will run on 64 bit systems (see notes)
Portable version available: yes, download from 3rd party site http://usb.smithtech.us/apps/xplorer2lite.php
Other languages supported: Brazilian, Bulgarian, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Czech, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish
Additional software required: no
XYplorerFree
Website: http://www.xyplorer.com/free.php
Unofficial download link: http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page22.html
Author: Donald Lessau
Date: 02/18/2008
Version: 5.55.0002
Download file size: 837 KB
License: Freeware
Operating systems supported: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista
64 Bit version available: no but will run on 64 bit systems (see notes)
Portable version available: program is already portable
Other languages supported: no
Additional software required: msvbvm50.dll - usually included in Windows installations (but not in Vista), available from here.
FreeCommander
Website: http://www.freecommander.com/
Download link: http://www.freecommander.com/fc_downl_en.htm
Author: Marek Jasinski
Date: 17/06/2008
Version: 2008.06
Download file size: 2.3 MB
License: Freeware
Operating systems supported: Windows 2000/XP/Vista (Windows 98SE "is unsupported but might work" according to author)
64 Bit version available: no but will run on 64 bit systems (see notes), full 64 bit version planned
Portable version available: yes, separate download
Other languages supported: Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, Galician, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Mexican Spanish, Norwegian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovakian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian
Additional software required: no
Notes:
File managers that were written as 32 bit applications will generally work on 64 bit Windows, but functionality will be limited in two ways:
- Shell extensions (i.e., file context menu entries) of 64 bit applications won't appear in a 32 bit file manager.
- 32 bit file managers will not be able to access the "system32" directory of a 64 bit Windows installation, they will be deflected to the "sysWOW64" directory instead.
This software category is maintained by volunteer category editor javelincts. Registered site visitors can contact him by clicking here.
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Everyone has different needs from a file manager. In my case, I have to needs: one for work and one for home. I'm an IT admin and one of the things I do a lot is copy and move files to and from various computers and servers. Having multiple panes visible at the same time is a great asset - in this respect Q-Dir is awesome. You can easily arrange panes in just about any configuration you might need and it's easy to go back and forth between layouts.
Another thing that I like about Q-Dir is that I can type in a UNC path into the address bar. That's a big help for me because it's almost always much faster for me to type in where I want to go rather than clicking through menus. Even using the Q-Dir's Favorites usually takes me longer than just typing in the UNC.
What really convinced me to use Q-Dir over any other file manager mentioned here is that it didn't choke or freeze when accessing remote systems. All of the other file managers listed here that I chose to try out either froze or took a very long time to show files on remote systems. That's totally unacceptable if you work with remote systems as much as I do. Q-Dir displays remote files and folders instantly (to be fair, Q-Dir will freeze up if you use the tree-view panel on remote systems).
If you need a file manager to primarily copy/move files to and from remote systems, you should definitely take a look at Q-Dir.
has anyone tried nomad.net?
There's an interesting new file manager called SurF: http://surf.svprogramming.net/
Although minimal, it's unique in that it offers "tree organized tabs".
I am just wondering - how do freeware-file-managers compare to the ubiquitous Total Commander? Are there any alternatives?
I grew up on Norton Commander, Volkov Commander [yes!], migrated to M602 [oh yes...], then when Windows3x became usable, the WinCommander (now TotalCommander) was an obvious choice: it does everything I need, I can operate it solely by keyboard and still I can only use a mere half of it's power. I only ever use other file applications for massive tasks like comparing thousands of files/duplicites, or long ftp sessions [why does totalcommander block other functions while *searching* disk?]
However, I secretly hope someone created something new, something intuitive, something beyond those two-directory-windows+buttons+keyboard... something I missed in those many years... or not?
sorry for a bit OT
Double Commander http://doublecmd.sourceforge.net/
I thought Directory Opus was the ubiquitous file manager!
UltraExplorer is my favorite freeware file manager, and it just recently got updated: http://www.mustangpeak.net/ultraexplorer.html
I just re-tested it too, but found it a little buggy. It crashed twice on my XP machine. I still think it has potential, especially for directory exploring and file management. What I particularly like is it's customizability and cascading menus (I'm a sucker for cascading menus). It seems less strong on graphics, previews and such.
Testing now, let you all know my impressions.
I think it really should be pointed out to the average user that Windows Explorer's functionality can be significantly increased by installing QTTabBar: a far less drastic solution to try out first!
An alternative would be to use Explorer++, which clones the interface of Windows Explorer but adds extra functions to improve usability.
If you decide that you want to dump the Windows Explorer interface then Cubic Explorer is the place to start, it's slick and very easy to use.
See:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-windows-explorer-addons.htm
I know about that there is a Windows explorer add on category. My point is that many users might not be aware of programs like QTTabBar, and after reading your article might jump into using a program like Free Commander, when all they wanted was a bit of increased usability, but within a familiar and easy to use environment.
I think a link to the windows explorer add on page should be included in this article, and Explorer++ should be recommended as a good alternative for the average user.
This is a great site, but all too often articles here encourage readers to jump straight into the deep end, when all they need is a little increased functionality.
Sorry peter, I realise now that you are not the author of this page!
Hi. If one sticks too rigidly to one's principles, one would hardly see anybody.
I am from Botswana and too bad know English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Helbotica font bot futura font bot akzidenz grotesk font bot.This is the place where the work on the font faq for openoffice."
Thank you very much :-D. Kristine.
Gekko manager:
http://gekkomanager.com/
JExplorer
It is similar to the windows default explorer except it has 2 plane
Just search for it, as putting the website link in this comment box would result in
"Your submission has triggered the installed spam filter and will not be accepted."
muCommander, a cross-platform file manager
http://www.mucommander.com/
My file management needs might not be the same as others. I found this new one that categorizes my files with tags and I really like it. I enjoy using this... this is exactly what I've always wanted. This might interest others... so here is the clip from the web page:
"We all know about the tags and use them every day - they are everywhere on the Web. These short words make life easier – so, why not use this concept on our personal computers?
Based on the convenient drag’n’drop technique, TaggedFrog allows you to organize your files, documents and Web links. Just add objects to the library and tag them with any keywords. That’s it. You can forget the file name or where the file is located, but don't worry - the tags will find the file for you.
You can tag Web links, Microsoft Office documents, PDF documents and images. In fact, you can tag any kind of file. And if you wish, you can tag each and every file on your hard drive!
Moreover, you are able tagging files directly from Windows File Explorer because the application is integrated with Explorer’s context menu. With TaggedFrog you can tag everything!"
FREEWARE
http://lunarfrog.com/
I have used XYexplorer Free since it came in this category the choosen one, and I can tell you (having tested almost every free file manager out there) that XY y by far the best. The issues it has are: no undo, and if you are copying a lot of iles it wont let you work that much. After that, it has a viewer, an excellent search, and many other features. The looks can be changed as you wish, and is very light on resources. Despite being "old", Again, XY explorer is the best.
Unfortunatly the free version doesn't work properly on Vista, at list didn't on mine.
~Yaser
Compared to the other freeware file managers reviewed en mentioned,
Q-Dir is I think the best freeware file manager available.
http://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Freeware/Q-Dir
Should be nice to mention it like that....
Unfortunatly -as I mentioned before- it doesn't seem to support tabbed interface which is the main reason for me to need a 3rd party file manager atthe first place.
The dual/multi pane style is rather outdated and not very convenient imo.
~Yaser
Thanks to soad1789 for getting some focus onto this topic.
I tried and tested that entire shortlist .... eventually settling
on what I believe is the best replacement for Windows Explorer
without going over the top!
I settled on CubicExplorer. It really is neat and very functional!
Your absolutely right this software looks promising. I am going to be going back over the options to make sure we have the right list of explorer options for everyone.
The only concern I have is I cannot find what license it operates with such as freeware, commercial freeware, or another type. I will definitely investigate CubicExplorer and find out more about it.
Open-source
I have no idea if this is relevant to this catagory--I think it is--but I recommend this software called TreeSize Free. TreeSize Free allows you to easily see what is taking up your disk space by showing you the disk space usage of every single folder you have on your system. Within the program, you can delete folders and analyze various specifications of the folder's contents.
I don't know, check it out. It's a nice program. I use it all the time when I'm running very low on disk space.
Info page: http://www.jam-software.com/freeware/index.shtml
Download page: https://www.jam-software.de/customers/downloadTrial.php?article_no=80&la...
I think the Best Free Disk Space Analyzer is a more appropiate category.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-disk-space-analyzer.htm
Why aren't these the top free portable file managers since they all have portable versions? They top two aren't mentioned in the portable apps category.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-portable-programs.htm
I ran across this newly updated file manager:
Cool Explorer
http://www.softpedia.com/get/File-managers/CoolExplorer.shtml
I haven't had a chance to look at it, and while its open source the home page is pretty scarce on details.............
Short description of Cool Explorer, among others, at Portable Apps:
http://portableapps.com/node/14221#comment-96877
I can't believe it! I just can't believe it. I was testing all the file managers hoping that one would display a thumbnail version of the video that wasn't the silly first frame as Windows does (which is usually black) and not one of them fixes this problem. Of all the features in the world and they can't fix the simplest one, if any of you knows of any file manager that fixes this issue please let me know, I'd like to try it.
I tried a lot of file managers, and so far UltraExplorer is the best I tried (among the free ones that is).
Edit: there are some flaws I've noticed in UltraExplorer:
1) (as far as I could tell) It doesn't save the colums width so everytime I run I have to resize them manually.
2) Sometimes it loses some of my tabs or the tabss order.
3) I have "Gmail Drive" installed and every time I run UltraExplorer it opens the "Gmail Drive" login window which is kinda annoying.
That being said, if they update it and fix these minor issues it should rival some of the shareware products imo.
Dear friends,
Here and there Q-Dir has been mentioned as a contender. Let me tell you that in the last two weeks there has been two updates for this programme, and it's taken huge leaps to become the winner. Updates = improvements not just patches. Those of you who know what's the ideal FM should come and see (in case you haven't). You won't be disappointed at all. I have been using it for some time (one year now) as a secondary FM, being UltraExplorer the official one.
Now I have to decide... Come and see it won't cost you a penny (and I'll earn none either!). Look for version 3.67 (yesterday's).
www.softwareok.com
I forgot to mention: It can be run without being installed There is also a portable version; two flavours: Unicode and non-Unicode.
Correct me if I'm wrong but as far as I could tell it doesn't support "tabbed interface" and that's pretty much the main reason I try/use any file manager, so I think I'll pass.
You are right, it has no tabbed interface, it uses a different approach which some times is more useful: you can have one up to four windows (resizable) sharing one single folder tree OR having a folder tree for each child window, which makes it easier for dragging and dropping files across folders/drives. This in one of the few things I don't like from UltraExplorer (Yes, F9 will give two panels but I feel them somewhat "unnatural").
I think the key phrase there is "sometimes is more useful". I can't think of a single instance in which I would have needed four panes visible simultaneously, and there are other FMs (thinking of xplorer2 here) that enable quick change of the pane contents (each of xplorer2's panes can have its own set of tabs, so changing the visible folder in each pane is as fast as changing the active tab) making two panes more usable than the number would suggest. There is a no-longer-under-development freeware FM, Explorer XP, that allows you to tile or cascade unlimited tabs in addition to their normal state (surely there are others), allowing potentially more than four panes visible simultaneously. It just seems to me that four panels is the really unnatural thing; most of the time I would have no reason to have four visible, and if I did, why stop at four? So unless this is as powerful as UltraExplorer or one of the three apps named in the article (anyone?), four panes isn't a big selling point. Two may be restrictive in very unusual situations, but four sounds strangely arbitrary. And don't most FMs permit multiple instances anyway?
Just for your information, XPlorer Free is no longer available, according to the home page.
Quote:
The XYplorer Freeware Edition (aka XYplorerFree) has been discontinued and is no longer available for download. Why? XYplorerFree was virtually identical to XYplorer 5.50.0001, released 17-Dec-2006, a great file manager in its days. However, time is going on, and it's simply not responsible to offer a lifeless piece of software without any development, without bug fixes, without adjustments to new operating systems, etc.
Thank you very much for informing the webmaster of the site that linked to this page that the Freeware Edition of XYplorer is no longer available!
Regards,
Ryandell
XYPlorer: somehow unstable ?
Xplorer2: Took me 2 minutes to notice the free version is lacking individual folder settings => uninstalled.
What about Unreal commander? Is it any good?
I found shellLess lite to be the best so far. Have tried just about every other file manager but shellLess lite has the best ability to customize and feels easiest to navagate. Only thing I can't change is the fonts but the usability of the rest of the program is excellent. Ultra Explorer also very good just prefer shellLess. http://www.soft32.com/download_225484.html
I don't believe that it's a standalone FM. It REQUIRES Explorer 6 or better to operate, and from the screenshot at soft32.com, it simply calls instances of Windows Explorer into its panes; it even has Explorer's HTML sidebar, with the same options, for crying out loud. If we're suddenly acclaiming Explorer, why bother with third party software when you can simply open multiple instances of Explorer and tile them on the desktop? Don't get me wrong, I actually like Explorer and don't quite understand why people think it's less useful than Windows 3.x File Manager, but why install another piece of software that serves only as a replacement frontend for Explorer when the functionality is already on your computer?
I get this warning when trying to access the link you suggested, I use Avira AntiVir premium 9.
I use Directory Opus which is worth every cent of the asking price. However of the free ones I've tried, I actually liked Q-Dir the best.
Regarding XYplorerFree, I love this program, to the point that I continue using it despite the following two problems:
1. The already mentioned lack of undo
2. In case it's not clear, when the article states that no languages other than English are supported, that also means that if filenames contain non-latin-alphabet characters, you're out of luck (ie back to Explorer).
I'll add the the built-in file-finder is indeed amazing. After the first search, it is incredibly fast. (The only downside is that you can't refine searches. Then again, given the boolean search capabilities and the speed, it's not really necessary.)
http://www.flexigensoft.com/accelman
from PCMag.com's best free software 2009 article
I just discovered it this evening. As a long time user of Norton Commander, clones, and for the past 2-3 years, FreeCommander, Accelman is way up there on my list. Plugins and other goodies, plus colorized screens that are very pleasing to the eye. More talk on this one!
Great utility - by far the best free file manager.
Thank you very muc
You should add Explorer++ to this list. I have been using it for awhile, and it seems to be holding up quite well.
I think Total Commander should also be on this list. It's very keyboard friendly and has oodles of features. Also, it's rock solid, which from my experience wasn't the case with some of the others here. It's shareware, but if you don't pay you just get a nag screen every time you start it. Since I have it running for months on end, that's not a big deal at all.