Introduction
A File Manager provides a convienient way for the end users to work with file systems and perform various operations on files and folders such as create, edit, rename, copy, delete, modify file attributes, compare folders etc. While Windows Explorer provides a fair amount of simple file management activities, a dedicated file manager helps you to keep things unsophisticated and gives you various tools out of the box to manage a large number of files at a time. File managers gives you faster and easier management of files and folders on your PC.
The various special features that I'm looking forward to in a file manager are Dual panes, Tabbed interface, Bookmarks, History, Archive handling, Advanced File Search, MultiRename, Folder Size Enumeration, Folder Compare & Synchronize, FTP support, File viewer, File sorting, File splitter, Filtered view, Keyboard shortcuts, Easy access to system folders and more.
So here're the top 5 products that I found after months of testing, that combines the best of interface, features and customizability among all the file managers out there. Since these top 5 products include most of these features mentioned in the introduction, I won't go in detail about them in each review.
Rated Products

FreeCommander XE
An elegant and user friendly file manager with a huge set of features, powerful searching function and great customization.

Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 2014.0.650
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 5/5 |
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Unreal Commander
A file manager comes close to the look and feel of Total Commander with a powerful filter system.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 2.02.994
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 5/5 |
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Nomad.NET
A portable and powerful file manager written using .NET technology with a simplified and clean user interface.
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 3.05b
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 4.5/5 |
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Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 4.5/5 |
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Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 1.2.787.1
Gizmos Freeware
Our Rating: 4/5 |
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More File Managers
Although the best are listed above, it doesn't hurt to know more options out there, if you aren't satisfied with the any of the above.
Nexus File 
- Modern interface - Probably the most modern and sytlish interface that I've seen.
- Work Folder - If you set a folder as an work folder. you can go to that folder with shortcut key right away. Also copy/move/extract files/folders to an work folder with only two step keyboard shortcut.
- Innovative Folder Tree - The hierarchial represeting let's you see all the sub-contents at a glance.
- Colors - You can customize colors for file listings and folder free. Different colors for various file types lets you to easily distinguish files at a glance.
Home | Download | Portable | Release Notes | FAQ | Forum
wxCommander 
- Advanced Built-in text editor - One of the best text editors I've seen, with syntax highlighting.
- Shortcut menus for USB flash drives - Makes starting applications very easy right from your USB drive.
- Portable - No installation or uninstallation required.
- Linux styled interface may not please everyone.
Home | Download | Release Notes | Plugins | Contact
xplorer2lite 
- Multifunctional address bar - Specifying folder names and visual filters and for running windows applications.
- Autocompletion - Paths and other frequently typed information.
- Dockable Thumbnail bar - To preview images, html and office applications.
- No hotkey cusomization and uses windows search.
- Free version limited. See feature comparison
Home | Download | Support | FAQ
Better Explorer
- Ribbon sytled tabbed explorer for Win 7 & 8
- Drive usage analysis chart
- Conditional selecting - filtering, searching, selecting.
- Is just an enhancement to the Windows 8 explorer
Home | Download | Release Notes
R.I.P File Managers
These file managers were once great, but are no longer developed. They continue to work on latest versions of Windows, but won't be featured in the main review.
- UltraExplorer (Last Update: Jul 27 '09)
Not Recommended
These file managers were tested but falls short in features and overall usability. They are either too simple or too restricted in features for daily use.
- EFCommander Free (No longer featured on home site.)
- Just Manager (Not yet out of alpha stage, but a promising new file manager.)
- Proto (Claims to be the fastest, but not really a file manager)
- Saladin (Too simple, not really a choice)
- SE-Explorer (project dead)
- Turbo Navigator (project dead)
To Be Reviewed:
These File Mangers were brought up in the user comments section. I'm currently reviewing them or have finished reviewing and waiting to be listed in the main article during the next review update. Please be patient.
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.
- 32-bit programs have not full access to the control panel.
Related Products and Links
You might want to check out these articles too:
- Best Free File Manager for Android
- Best Free File Copy Utility
- Best Free File Archiver-Zip Utility
- Best Free Duplicate File Remover
- Best Free Desktop Search Utility
- Best Free Windows Explorer Add-ons
- More About QTTabBar
- Tips and Tricks to Make Full Use of Favorite Links
Editor
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor George.J. Registered members can contact the editor with any comments or questions they might have by clicking here.
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Comments
*"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."*
So, which (more up to date) ones have 64 bit versions? As I have Vista x64 & don't want to be deflected to SysWOW64.
Edit (I can't find the "delete post" option)
MultiCommander: beautiful interface (don't be fooled by screen caps from its web page), lots of functionality, and Check Boxes! Yay!
Sorry, xplorer2 lite. After aprox. a decade, I bid you farewell!
Is it free? I could only see some trials.
Whoops I meant that as a response to the Free Commander recommendation :-)
Hi,
I'm searching a way, that works on XP, Vista, 7 and 8, to open a specific folder with the navigation pane only showing/permitting to browse the subfolders of that folder. In other words, I want all folders and hard drives to be hidden, except the one I open and its subfolders.
Is there a file manager that can do this ?
Thanks !
Hi,
I got Windows 8 a couple of months ago and (with the use of third party programs) got my start button and dvd playing back.
Now I want to find a replacement for the new Ribbon like File Explorer. I've tried to make it my friend but I yearn for the good old Windows 7 or earlier days.
Which of these free file managers are most like that of Windows Explorer in Windows 7 please?
I'm old and I do things automatically which is why I "fixed" Office as well :-)
Ta very much.
Paul
Thanks for that. Will give it a try.
Pity there isn't a registry fix or batch file around that can do it :-)
Actually, if I could just get the Windows 7 Windows Explorer to work in Windows 8 that would be the nicest option :-)
Thanks for that :-)
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