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Article Contents: A. Multifunction Explorer Extensions B. Fast Folder Access Extensions (quick access to favorite folders, recent folders, and more) C. Cascading Folder Menus (explore directory structure with cascading/fly-out menus)
D. Other Explorer Extensions (other visual and functional enhancements to Explorer's GUI)
E. Conclusions & Comparisons (with table)
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Go straight to the |
Introduction
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This Article reviews Windows Explorer extensions and add-ons, like QTTabBar, that provide some of the desirable features found in commercial File Managers (Explorer replacements), like dual-panes, tabs, favorite folder access, etc., while retaining speed and familiarity of Windows. For more info on File Managers that can totally replace the file management of Windows Explorer, see Best Free File Manager and Comparison of File Managers. Strictly speaking, an Explorer add-on is any program that enhances the taskbar, start menu, desktop, context menu, toolbars, file management system, or any other aspect of Windows involving explorer.exe. However, this article will focus mainly on add-ons to the file management system, especially add-ons that help users access their file system. Thus, it will generally exclude Program Launchers and Right-Click Context Menu Extensions, although there is some overlap. I will continue adding more reviews over time, but I give priority to Vista-compatible software. Also, be aware that Windows 7 makes significant changes to Explorer that may break many features of the programs reviewed here. |
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QTTabBar (QT)
You can see the Explorer toolbar in the picture above. One of the most unique features of QT is the addition of tabs (like in web browsers). The tabs allow you to have multiple views or instances of Explorer all contained within one window. A single click will allow you to switch between them. QT allows you to clone, copy, move, delete, and undo closed tabs. The program also includes endless options for customizing tab function and appearance. This barely scratches the surface of what is a very powerful, easy-to-use utility that may significantly change the way in which you do file-handling. QT: OTHER FUNCTIONS Tools:
Explore Folders from:
Favorites (Applications) Menu: add files or folders, can organize with sub-menus, cannot add on the fly, accessed only from toolbar Recent/History: recently accessed folders appear in a simple menu on the toolbar, recently accessed files appear in menu when you right click on tabbar Tab Groups: define groups of tabs (i.e. folders) that can be launched with a single click in the Groups menu on the toolbar or via right click on tabbar Shortcut keys: fully customizable Explorer Appearance: full row selection, grid lines, alternate row color in details view (customize background and text color) Previews: hover over an image, video or text file to show a pop-up preview and file info with customizable width and height Plugins: I haven't had time to explore all the plug-in capabilities, but for more info see the posts at More About QTTabBar QT: WEAKNESSES
QTTabBar is an amazingly flexible program with an endless array of functions that transform Windows Explorer, making easier to access and manager your files and folders. The level of customizability is unparalleled. Tabbed exploring, favorites menu, cascading menus, customizations, and plugins are only a few of the functions that make this program unique and indespensible. Perfect for XP, a little slower with Vista, and not compatible with Windows 7. See: More About QTTabBar for installation details, and more usage information. Compare to similar programs: DMEXBar
DMEXBar
After installation, I enabled the 3 new Explorer toolbars shown above: a breadcrumb-like button bar (below Explorer's address bar), a favorites button bar (below the breadcrumb bar), and a multi-function file management toolbar. Adding folders and files to my Favorites toolbar was easy: I browsed for the target, selected it, then the caption was automatically entered (or I could change it). I could add separators but not submenus. It was also easy to add Favorites on the fly by calling the menu from an open folder and choosing "Add". My Favorites were added as buttons on the Favorites toolbar, as menu items when I clicked on the Favorites menu button (blue star), and as items in DMEXBar's context menu (accessed by right-clicking on a file or folder in explorer). Clicking on one my Favorites simply launched that folder in the open Explorer window. However, right-clicking on one of the buttons in the Favorites toolbar opened a cascading (fly-out) menu of folders, letting me explore the directory structure.
The breadcrumb toolbar was similar to Vista's toolbar in that it displayed buttons for every folder in the path I was exploring. Just like the Favorites toolbar, clicking on one of the folder buttons opened the folder in the open Explorer window, while right-clicking on one of the folder buttons opened a cascading (fly-out) menu of folders. The buttons on the other toolbar provided access to a variety of different file management tools. Most of the tools were also accessible from DMEXBar's context menu (accessed by right-clicking on a file or folder in explorer). Samer from freewaregenius.com wrote a great review that thoroughly described each of these tools. One of the most unique functions provided by DMEXBar was the ability to arrange Explorer windows side-by-side, mimicking a dual-pane file manager. A number of other arrangement options were also offered including, maximizing window height, starting a full-screen mode, and saving/restoring window positions. DMEXBar effectively adds quick access to my favorite folders in Explorer and adds a variety of new file management functions accessed from new toolbar buttons and from new context menu items. Many of the functions were useful and unique (described in more detail here: http://www.freewaregenius.com/2008/02/06/dmexbar-brings-the-functionalit...). However, the use of some of the functions was not intuitive and some of them were obscure and not as useful as other functions that could have been easily included in the program. I would also like to see more customizability, which was relatively absent. After a quick installation on Vista, DMEXBar seemed to work fine, but many functions were not operable in Windows 7. Compare to similar programs: QTTabBar
StExBar
StExBar adds a toolbar to Explorer with buttons for the following file management functions: show/hide system files, open console from here, copy file/folder names, copy file/folder paths, new folder, rename, and a text box that filters the listed files. On the surface this program is minimal but effective in offering what it claims to offer: "what Microsoft forgot to implement in the explorer". Some of these functions have since been added in Windows 7, yet the program works fine in XP, Vista and Win7.
What makes StExBar unique and wonderful is that it lets you add new buttons that perform customizable command line functions. Your command line can include special variables that allow you to include selected files/folders and text. In the dialog pictured above, I created a button that searches from the current folder using the program Everything. Now this button can be arranged with the others on Explorer's toolbar. So, StExBar serves the same function as FileMenuTools, except items appear on Explorer's toolbar rather than in the context menu. Needless to say, these features require knowledge about using command line functions, parameters, and syntax. Less advanced users will find more features are available in similar programs reviewed above. Compare to similar programs: QTTabBar, DMEXBar
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FileBox eXtender (FE)
Upon installation, the Favorites and Recently Accessed buttons were immediately added to all Explorer and Open/Save dialog windows next to the normal minimize, restore, and maximize buttons. Adding folders and files to my Favorites was easy: I browsed for the target, selected it, then the caption was automatically entered (or I could change it). I could add separators and submenus so that my Favorites menu would be more organized. It was also easy to add Favorites on the fly by calling the menu from an open folder and choosing "Add".
A single click on the Favorites or Recent buttons quickly openned the menus. There were no cascading (fly-out) menus, the FE menu items simply openned the selected folders. The picture shows the Favorites setup, and shows other options including Exceptions which told FE to ignore applications that I specified. I was excited about the ability to set dialog/explorer window size, view mode, and sort order, but they did not work consistently for me (on my Vista machine). The "push-pin" Always on Top button and a Rollup button were added to all windows (if desired). Both functions were also added to the "system menus" of all windows, accessed by right clicking on the window captions. These functions worked well and were useful when I want to keep an eye on one program, but use another. FileBox eXtender effectively adds quick access to my favorite and recent folders in Explorer and Open/Save dialogs. The Always on Top and Rollup buttons work well in all windows and they proved to be very useful. However, I would like to see full support for Vista, more customizability, more ways to access the menus (e.g. via the context menu), and cascading (fly-out) menus. Unfortunately, according to the developers website, this program is no longer in development. Compare to similar programs: Direct Folders, FlashFolder FileBox eXtender summary & rating.
Direct Folders (DF)
Adding folders and files to my Favorites menu was easy: I browsed for the target, selected it, then the caption was automatically entered (or I could change it). I could add separators and submenus so that my Favorites menu would be more organized. I liked that I could also choose an "Alternative traget" that would be launched when I "Shift+Clicked" the item. This is a rare feature that really showed me how customizable DF was. It was also easy to add Favorites on the fly by calling the menu from an open folder and choosing "Add here".
My favorite feature was the "Recent" submenu (shown below). It displayed a highly configurable list of recently opened folders that could be tracked by application (like jump-lists). After installation, the "Test Direct Folders" window appeared. This might be a little confusing for some. But it allowed me to see the three areas where DF is implemented: Open/Save dialogs, Browse dialogs, and Explorer. DF was highly configurable with lots of options that could be specified globally or for each application. I was excited about the ability to set dialog/explorer window size, view mode, and sort order, but they did not work consistently for me (on my Vista machine). There was also an extra window that appeared above dialogs but had no useful function. The program froze on me once while clicking around on the window above the test "Browse" dialog. Luckily, this could be disabled in the settings. Direct Folders effectively provides quick access to favorite and recent folders from the context menu of Explorer and dialog boxes. The program's strength is in its customizability. However, I would like to see some cascading (fly-out) menus, some buttons in Explorer's toolbar or in dialog boxes, and some additional features that can't be found in Vista & Windows 7. These OS's allow you to manually put favorites in most dialog boxes (at least in Vista & W7) and add to the taskbar additional toolbars or short-cuts of favorite files & folders. Compare to similar programs: Filebox Extender, FlashFolder Direct Folders summary & rating.
FlashFolder (FF)
After installation, a toolbar floated above all Open, Save as, or Browse dialog windows. Some of the buttons on the toolbar included History (of open folders), Currently Open Folders (in other applications), and Favorite Folders.
Adding folders and files to my Favorite Folders was easy in FF: I browsed for the target, selected it, then I selected the caption from alternatives or could edit it myself. I could add separators and submenus so that my Favorites menu would be more organized. I could add Favorites on the fly by clicking a button on the toolbar, then selecting "Add current folder". There were no cascading menus, clicking on a FF menu item simply navigated to the selected folder in the dialog window. FlashFolder effectively provides quick access to favorite & recent folders from a useful toolbar added to Open/Save/Browse dialogs. In XP, the visually appealing toolbar worked well and the program was able to effectively adjusted the size and view mode of dialog boxes. However it is limited to only dialog boxes and does not work in Vista. Compare to similar programs: Direct Folders, Filebox Extender
Folder View (FV)
After installing FV, a Configuration Wizard asked me to select a "Main Folder", which was "My Documents" or my user folder by default. The folders contained in the Main Folder became buttons in Explorer's toolbar and context menu, in the tray icon, and in Open/Save dialogs (but not in Vista). Clicking on a button opened a cascading (fly-out) menu of folders, letting me explore the directory structure. For example, I added "c:\" as a button, then I could access any folder on that drive from FV's cascading menu. I really liked this capability. FV also added a "Recent" button that showed recently accessed folders.
I liked that I could choose any folder, because using My Documents became a problem. If I wanted to remove a button it would send the real folder to the recyle bin. So, instead, I chose a folder that contained short-cuts to other folders. To my surprise, it turned these short-cuts into buttons and cascading menus just like they were real folders! This is the safest way to use the program because you can add and delete the short-cuts without affecting your real folders. One major disappointment was that the menus did not show files, only folders (unlike explorer's own cascading toolbar menus). So I could not access any files directly from the cascading menus. This was a severe limitation for me because I like to launch files from cascading menus. This should at least be an option. Folder View effectively offers quick access to my favorite and recent folders from the toolbar and context menu in Explorer. The cascading (fly-out) menus and the toolbar additions are excellent features that are rarely found in other programs. Everything but the Open/Save dialog add-on worked in both Vista and Windows 7. But I would like to see more customizability, the ability to access files, and additional features. Some of the functionality can be found in Explorer alone, by simply adding a folder toolbar to the taskbar. Compare to similar programs: Explorer Breadcrumbs
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C. Cascading Folder Menus (explore directory structure with cascading/fly-out menus)
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Explorer Breadcrumbs
Explorer Breadcrumbs adds an Explorer toolbar that mimic's the address bar in Vista. But it was actually more useful because it included features missing from Vista: an "Up" button and the ability to explore the directory structure with cascading (fly-out) menus. Surprisingly the program seemed to be working fine in both Vista and Windows 7. Although minimal, this program does what it promises and does it well. Compare to similar programs: Folder View
Explorer Breadcrumbs summary & rating.
Folder Guide (FG)
Folder Guide summary & rating.
FolderBox (FB)
FolderBox is an unique program that adds a "FolderBox" at the bottom of each Explorer window, allowing you to perform file management functions between the FolderBox file display and the normal Explorer file display. The screenshot on the left was taken in Windows 7 and shows the FolderBox highlighted in red, the other screenshot is from XP. Inside the FolderBox is a standard file list display where all of Explorer's functions (like dragging/dropping, context menu, etc.) work like normal. The FolderBox also provides up to 5 tabs that can open pre-defined folders. So, you can explore a folder in the FileBox while exploring a different folder in the normal Explorer window, with the ability to drag and drop between them. FolderBox seemed to work fine in XP, Vista and Windows 7. All in all, it is a very useful program that does what it's intended to do very well. However, it was not very customizable. A commercial version is available that allows 10 tabs and an on/off button.
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Navigating Through Folders: Folder View (FV) vs. Explorer Breadcrumb (EB)
Folder View (FV) and Explorer Breadcrumbs (EB) both provide access to your folders (but not files) from cascading (fly-out) menus on Explorer's toolbar. However, the toolbar in FV contains a customizable set of favorite and recent folders, whereas EB's toolbar works more like Vista's address bar in that it contains the current path of folders opened in Explorer. FV also adds this functionality to the right-click context menu in Explorer, dialog boxes, and the tray icon. So, FV offers a wider range of features across a wider range of situations. But, only EB is fully functional in both Vista and Windows 7.
Accessing Favorite and Recent Folders: Filebox Extender (FE) vs. Direct Folder (DF) (vs. FlashFolder)
Filebox Extender (FE) and Direct Folders (DF) both display menus of favorite & recent folders that can be accessed in Explorer or dialog boxes. But FE's menus are primarily accessed from several buttons that are added to each window, while DF puts it all in a single pop-up menu that is accessed primarily by double-clicking on any white space in a window. Both programs can also launch their menus with customizable keyboard shortcuts. Both programs also offer "on top" and "roll up" window functions, but FE seems more polished in this respect. Both programs can also set the size, view mode, and sort order of dialog boxes and Explorer windows, but neither performed consistently in Vista. After all these similarities, you'll be surprised at how different these two programs look and feel. Deciding between them may simply be a matter of personal preference. However, if you like customizablility, DF is the better choice. DF also offers a commercial Pro version that adds some relatively useless functions.
FlashFolder offers similarly effective access to favorite and recent folders but only in dialog boxes in XP. Like FE & DF, FlashFolder also offers customizable keyboard shortcuts and the ability to customize dialog box settings, but it does not offer the "on top" and "roll up" functions. So it is much more limited than FE and DF, except it is more visually appealing and it offers more dialog box customizations.
Table 1: Comparison of Explorer Add-ons.
Click to enlarge.
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Check out our detailed QTTabBar review at More About QTTabBar
Explorer Visual/Style Enhancements
Tooltip & Thumbnail Enhancements These programs enhance the windows that pop-up when you hover the mouse over a file in Explorer. There are also some good reviews at Freewaregenius.com and a detailed tutorial describing alternatives.
The "Places Bar" is on the left side of Open/Save/Browse dialog boxes in Windows XP. It shows a list of buttons that you can click to open common folders, like the Desktop, My Documents, etc. You can use the free programs below to customize the Places Bar, or you can try doing it manually: "How to edit the Places bar in Windows XP".
If you want to launch folders from the right-click context menu, folder locations can be added using many of the context menu extensions found here: Best Free Right-Click Context Menu Extensions If you want to launch programs as well as folders, check out Best Free Program Launchers: Best Free Program Launcher Here are some other useful tutorials:
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Tested: 1.2.3 Beta4 (RC2) (2009-1-15); Latest: 1.3.0.1 (Japanese) 
Unrestricted Freeware 
Windows XP & Vista
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baxbex newfolder (bxNewFolder) looks very ugly on Vista even XP. To create a new folder in Explorer other than using right click, just look at the webview panel (common task pane) in XP Explorer, there’s already “Make a New Folder” button. Even it’s already placed on Windows 7 RTM’s toolbar by default.
I've been using Folder Guide for more than a year now, and it is a great utility. Small, stands out of your way until you need it: in context menus of Desktop, Explorer or Open/Save dialog.
It can be downloaded from a lot of places on the net, but just make sure you get the 1.2 version, since it gives you the possibility to add separators in the FG menu.
As for QT, it really does slow down the start of Explorer. It had some problems with refresh of toolbar, but all in all very nice addon.
http://www.xteq.com/products/exlp/
Explorer LaunchPad is an extension for the Windows Explorer. Instead of opening the Explorer and moving through the directories until you have the directory you would like to see, use this program to make it much more easier.
Simply add an item to Explorer LaunchPad and click "View" - your directory is opened immediately. You can also selected how the Explorer should appear and how the directory is displayed.
Beside this, it has a trayicon so it won't waste any space on your taskbar when minimized. All your configured items are directly accessible from there also.
I use this everyday! Right-click and bingo, you're there!
Anyone try this out yet?
I'll be working from a public computer for the next few days and can't dl anything.
Not bad. It does what I want.
Right click on the task-bar icon and go straight to the favorite folder I defined, without the need to have the explorer opened up before hand.
Why not just put shortcuts in your taskbar for the folders you want to see? You don't even have to right click and select, you just click to go straight to whatever folder you have created a shortcut for. I don't see how this extension adds anything.
Not sure if this is the right place but Ninotech PathCopy is my favourite explorer extension. Simple, but once you have it you can't live without it. Especially the 'Copy Internet Path' usage.
Thanks for the lead. Eventually I'll start adding the super-small programs like this one.
My favourite is Q-Dir, though a Windows Explorer replacement rather than an addon. It allows up to four single or dual pane explorer style windows which can be easily switched between the number of Windows open and whether they are horizontally or vertically tiled or a mixture, where appropriate, such as with the three dual pane window option. It makes it really easy when handling and swapping stuff between a mixture of internal, external and network drives, which I do often. I would be lost without it and it works on all Windows. There is even a portable version and a x64 version.
http://www.softwareok.com/?seite=freeware/Q-Dir
You should mention Q-Dir over at Best Free File Manager
Hi PE, nice article here.
How about AudioShell, a Windows Explorer shell extension. It adds more details you want to display for the files in a folder, particularly useful under a music file folder.
for a bulk, fast search of files and folders, you have "Everything" (works only on NTFS drive )
I use Everything too, but its discussed at Best Free Desktop Search Utility.
Thanks Jojoyee, there's now a Tooltip & Thumbnail Enhancements section with AudioShell.
Unfortunately the wonderful application FileBox eXtender is no longer available on the Hyperionics site. The author decided to stop its development because of a lack of time. Fortunately it can still be downloaded from eg. Softpedia
You can also still get it from:
http://www.hyperionics.com/files/index.asp
Apparently (and luckily) the developer changed his mind and put it back on his site.
Unfortunately it is no longer developed.
Btw, the latest version is 2.00.04.
I really like direct folders.
http://www.codesector.com/directfolders.php
You right click inside any empty portion of an open folder and add it to the menu. Now you can access this favorite folder list from the desktop or any other open folder by double clicking.
Simple, fantastic time saver.
-J
Powertoys is a great bundle, but I dont think its available for x64 Vista yet. There is a glaring omission in the above list: Lopesoft's FileMenu Tools. This has more functionality (I think) than any others mentioned here.
Here's a description:
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/free-software-downloads/customize-the-ri...
From Lopesoft:
http://www.lopesoft.com/en/fmtools/info.html
Although I mention FileMenu Tools twice in the article, I've created a separate category for Free Right-Click Context Menu Extensions, in which FileMenu Tools will certainly be awarded our "Top Pick". But I'll more clearly state the distinction between the categories in the Introduction.
Lope's Filemenu gets five stars from me too, I too was surprised by its absence
I use it in conjunction with the commercial versions of xPlorer2 and CFi's ShellToys which provides me with the ultimate file mangler.
http://www.download3k.com/Mmm-FREE/Download-Free-mmminstall.exe.html
some problems with original d/l source.
Remember to check the options panel in Mmm.
I used it to remove 'scan with threatfire' context menu option and it worked marvellously. But when you turn Mmm off... the context menus are back. For some people it's good. For me it isn't.
Like FileMenu Tools, Mmm will be featured in Best Free Right-Click Context Menu Extensions rather than in this article.
Qt TabBar is a must have app,one of the best is when you hover over an image it enlarges it for quik view,brilliant.
about Folder Size (I've just installed the 2.4 version)
The install file size is 225K (for win32b)
You can of course also use it in any window of folder you open if you don't use Explorer.
You can change the settings of the window to see not only the size of the folders, but also, at the same time, the number of files or/and sub-folders included in each folder.
You can, by the "View" menu, tile everything in the folder sorting by size (folders and files mixed -only the size matters- ), or tile the folders by the number of files or/and sub-folders included...
Ask Windows to use the same settings for all your folders.
It works perfectly in French (I'm Belgian).
Very useful.
I've installed Folder Size on all my XP machines and love it. I work for a college, performing laptop repair. While I don't install it on users' machines I have it on all 3 desktops and the laptop in my office.
I've never seen any misbehavior related to its use and feel comfortable recommending it to all.
Check out this thread that talks about windows xp addons, including explorer addons:
http://forum.maxthon.com/viewthread.php?tid=63662&extra=page%3D1
Check out http://tools.tortoisesvn.net/StExBar.
nice extensions toolabar
StExBar is now included in the article.
The best explorer addon I've EVER used comes with Microsoft's Powertoys. Command prompt here. That is the most useful feature I've ever downloaded from microsoft, allowing you to right click any folder and be at a command prompt at that location.
Yeah, I like that function too.
It's available from a variety of different programs, including some mentioned in the article.
But, I am not including the tiny one function programs in the article yet.
Strongly agreed.
Are there any reasonable featured more 3D -like explorers for win ? I tried Tactile, but somehow it's a bit too "deep space" and one gets sort of lost easily, in addition it crashed all the time on my xpsp2 dual head environment.
I don't know about the BEST, but whenever I have problems with explorer and file browsing, I use either xplorer2 lite or File Smile. File Smile is more colourful but still has great functionality. xplorer2lite suits me great most of the time. Has tabs, looks at all files and does all I want. Also doesn't hide files or folders if windows decides not to show me them.
http://www.zabkat.com/x2lite.htm
http://www.download.com/File-Smile/3000-2248_4-10289220.html?cdlPid=1053...
These have there own categories now.
xplorer2 lite is discussed in Best Free File Manager and File Smile should be mentioned there.
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