File Explorer Isn't The Only Option
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- Опубликовано: 6 ноя 2022
- Today we are looking at alternatives to File Explorer for Windows. The file explorer alternatives we are looking at are FreeCommander, Double Commander, Dolphin File Manager, Explorer++, and Files.
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Links from video:
FreeCommander
Website: freecommander.com/en/downloads/
Double Commander
website: github.com/doublecmd/doublecmd
Dolphin File Manager
website: binary-factory.kde.org/job/Do...
Explorer++
website: explorerplusplus.com/
Files
website: github.com/files-community/Files
#Windows #Mods #Tech 
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I've been using Total Commander (Windows Commander) for almost 30 years.
Ican't remember not having used it
It was the first thing I bought when i obtained my first debit card lol. Best pc investment ever. 2nd purchase was IrfanView.
I'm considering doing another video on paid file managers.
@@CyberCPU Please do!, i would love to hear your take on TreeSize.
wow 30 years? thats crazy!
so total commander is the lightest?
i need to install on my very old computer, so it's necessary to be extremely lightweight.
Although not free and so doesn't fit your criteria for this video, it is Total Commander for me every time. I have used it since its earliest release, and although shareware it was well worth the cost in time and effort saved. I have it always running, and it receives very heavy use, saving me many hours every week. It is also extremely powerful, and can use many plugins created by users.
I may do another video on paid file managers. We will see.
@@CyberCPU
Please do!
One request - differentiate between the "shareware" and the "paid" ones please.
@@CyberCPU👍 please and thank you 🙂
I have used Windows Commander > Total Commander after Micro$oft got upset about the name, since 1993. It’s not expensive since it is a lifetime license that includes all updates.
TC has so many options and features and plugins that there is almost nothing you cannot do.
On Explorer ++, you can close the tab by double clicking on the tab. You don't have to click on the red X.
I personally use " One Commander " , tabs , pane , tabs in pane , quick access , thumbnails , can also be customized on colour accent , it also has a mac like file tree that can be enable on a single button click (or as a default view) , it doesn't open zipped file though , and the reason why all those explorer replacement open win explorer , it's because it's the default handler on the PC for .zip files , if you install 7z and set as default , they'd open the zip in 7z instead
Yes, but I believe file explorers themselves should be able to handle archives. At least zip archives if nothing else.
A "One Commander" enjoyer here ...
@@CyberCPU Yeah... I deal with the context menu, though. What I miss, beside that, is an FTP connection to make it ideal.
QDIR for me. The powerful filters are my 'must have' feature. I can show only files that match multiple patterns.
I use it as default too. it has every feature for different users and needs
I really like Directory Opus. It has a 30 day trial and you can request an extra 30 days for total 60 day trial. This thing is a monster file manager that can be completely configurable to your hearts content for all the uber geeks out there.
You can color code files and folders, add status icons, completely configure layouts, toolbars and much much more.
I jumped from this video the second that "free" was a requirement. Nothing touches Directory Opus - free or paid. I'm willing to pay for masterclasses in software development.
Been using Directory Opus since my Amiga Days. Over all of those years I still haven't found anything that comes close to it in features or customisability.
Total Commander for me - I never did like Windows File Explorer. I've been using this since it was called Windows Commander but Microsoft complained so they had to stop using the word Windows - hence Total Commander. You can pay or keep using the full program for free by pressing 1, 2 or 3 each time you open it although previous versions can be hacked.
I may do another video on paid file managers.
@@CyberCPU that 1-2-3 is only restriction, and for me who never shut down PC, and also never shut down Total Commander, not a problem (though, I have payed version since 2003). I am looking at it as an Operating System inside of another Operating System. It is that good.
@@CyberCPU Yes please, I'm new to the channel but I was hoping to find info on Xplorer 2
Another feature that Files has is the ability to enable a dark mode and was a must have for me when I was looking for a better file manager!
You know what, I didn't know that. That would have been a great point to add to the video.
XYplorer is also great. Been using it for many many years. Constantly updated, also a portable program so runs direct from just a folder (great to throw on a stick etc). First thing I fire up and very configurable. I have it open right now, it's always open on my system. Virtually never use built in file explorer lol Worth looking at :-) DOpus (Directory Opus, originally from the old Amiga days is also great to, but waaay more powerful than I need).
Payware... i would hope they keep it updated if they're taking money!
this is my 1st video , i really like as u showed us even the downside of the softwares unlike other just show the upside and influence us to fall prey later the software shows its real face .... thanks a lot .... SUBSCRIBED
Thanks! Gonna try out FCxe and Files.
The commander variants come from the old days' Norton commander, and the two panes were for setting one side and the origin and destination.
They are super handy when trying to synchronize two folders and compare their content.
But I can see why it would be confusing for someone not familiar with the old Norton commander way...
If you set Double Commander and some of the other programs as the default file browser, then all those clicks that open Windows Explorer will open in itself instead.
should i set files as default file explorer?
I've been using TotalCommander for must be close to 20 years now. Love that app and it's my daily driver.
Using FreeCommander for years now, Higly customable using One or two panels by just a click. With all the build in features still the best for me!👍😀
Thanks you save my day!!
i would watch 2 hours of file managers
xplore on Android and DOPUS on windows are solid. Used both for years and the cost is minimal
A good one that you can customize to your liking is Directory Opus, but unfortunately its not free
I'm considering doing another video on paid file managers.
Directory opus made my screen flicker to black for a few seconds randomly. Making the PC not usable for videos/games and was overall annoying. So I got rid of it.
@@XxTWMLxX that's weird. I've been using it since forever (first in Amiga and later on PC) and never had a problem similar to that.
If you give it another try, and the problem persists, try the support forum, there is a nice community that will gladly help you track your issue.
@@XxTWMLxX I have be using Directory Opus on 5 different computers and never had ANY problems with it.
I've been using Double Commander on my only Windoze PC for a couple months and its feature set makes it my favorite. It is a bit ugly, and its default configuration isn't great, but it has every feature I've ever wanted in a file manager.
For me dual panes is an absolute must and has been for over 30 years. It's why I stopped using Gnome on Linux, and why I stuck with 2xExporer on Windows 20 years after it died. As for the explorer pane, if you use a dual pane manager without it for a while, you will learn how absolutely useless it is. On double commander I set my favorite folders in the * list and I can open any of them on either pane at any time. I have buttons on my toolbar for copy location, copy, move, recycle, and shred, and I just use those. No dragging at all. Everything is from one pane to the opposite. You can set each icon to include the confirmation dialog or not. Double Commander also has pane sync and even mirror browsing for easy maintenance of backups and duplicate drives, as well of operation queuing and macros.
I got the snapshot version of double commander to be able to put it in dark mode, do you have any idea on how to get rid of the white boxes around each file and folder in thumbnail view? I find them so ugly, and I am afraid it is keeping me from using the problem. Another one is that it does not seem to remember my settings for each folder, for example, if I sort a folder by date, I want that folder to stay that way, but double commander seems to forget about it every time I open it. This can be a great program, it is just unintuitive right now.
@@karambadodox Never used thumbnail view until you mentioned it. I can't find a way to turn off the highlighting either. I recommend using a different program for viewing/browsing images, such as nomacs.
It doesn't look like you can have per folder settings. It's per pane only. Double commander is for file management such as synchronizing directories, mass renaming, backups, etc. Use the Windows Explorer for simple browsing or opening programs/files from a shortcut folder (like having all your games with big icons in a single window).
It would be nice to totally replace My Computer/Explorer with a free file manager replacement, but I haven't found one for that since 2xExplorer, which is ancient and unsupported. I recommend finding the best tool for each task. Such as Windows Explorer for desktop folders, nomacs for image browsing, and Double Commander for file management.
A few thoughts: First of all, I come from a time when we referred to "folders" as "directories." Yes, back in the days of DOS, before Windows came about. Secondly, I would sure like to see you do a video on how to get rid of all of the USELESS CRAP in the Windows File Explorer, for people like us who don't use all of the folders that Microsoft insists on cramming into the thing, like Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, and on and on and on. We want to get rid of "Libraries," Quick Access," and every little bit of that. If you can help us clean up File Explorer so that it just shows THE DRIVES AND THE FOLDERS ON THOSE DRIVES, instead of these "special" (as determined by Microsoft) garbage folders, that would be a worthy video.
Mostly, though, I have been using the full (non-portable) version of FreeCommander for well more than a decade. "Drag and Drop" is just an invitation to drop stuff in the wrong folders. Give me a dual-pane file manager, any day. And then, just fill the "splitter" in the middle with functions like Copy, Move, and whatever you use all the time -- and you can create the "sharpest knife" for your file activities that meet your needs. For instance, I also add the "Synchronize Folders" function to my "splitter," and use that to back my files up EVERY SINGLE DAY, onto portable drives. Very quick, very easy, just set your source folder on one side, your destination folder on the other, then click "Synchronize Folders," and then you just copy whatever changed since you last synchronized things, and you're done. It's absolutely a million times easier and better than using any kind of dedicated "backup" software -- especially anything that binds your data up into proprietary file formats. Yes, FreeCommander takes a bit of work to set it up the way you want it, but it's a perfect tool for power users.
"Folder" is one thing... and "Directory" is another thing... - that's hot its always been.!
Absolutely agree. Dual pane is a must, file tree is a waste of space, and Drag and Drop is a disaster waiting to happen. I use Double Commander instead, which is FOSS. I used to use 2xExplorer in Windows, but mostly run Linux now. Double Commander and 2xExplorer both had sync features, as well as 'mirror browsing' so you can explorer mirrored drives/backups and browse both panes at the same time.
You have it all worked out and sounds quite efficient. I just obtained a W11 mini PC and I just hate windoze explorer. I just discovered Explorer++ and love it, especially as it has bookmarked favourites. I may take a look at your example, it has merits. Thanks.
each one is the lightest or fastest?
i want to install on my old computer, so it's necessary to be extremely lightweight.
one commander v3 is the best for me ❤️
I totally agree. This is my "all-in-one" file explorer alternative, fully featured and affordable 👍👍
Same here. I even set a right click option in the context menu to open it.
I have been using Q-Dir for a while. It may look like crap but it does what i want.
There are two types of such alternatives:
1.Desktop Apps that use File Explorer, do not have their own 7zip opener and have limited capabilities in terms of managing files, folders, etc.
2.Desktop Software which is installed and operates independently of the Windows File Explorer. This software provides greater flexibility and many more features such as font background coloring of file folders according to the changes and the time during which they were made, file-folder grouping capabilities, drag and drop, multiple screens,multiple file renames, display of hidden files and system files, detailed display of file-sub-file-folder-sub-folder elements,etc, as well as powerful and very useful networking tools (FTP connection-disconnection, connection-disconnection to a network folder, display of hidden files of a network folder, connection to a specific port of another computer, control of shared files-folders etc.)
As you understand, the second type is a very powerful tool with multiple possibilities for managing large volumes and complexity of files at a business level with specific and their own tools, regardless of Windows or any other OS operation.(some of these programms are avaliable for all Operating Syatems)
This kind of content realy improove computing!!!
Keep on!
Stop stop STOP!
That, my good sir, may just be the greatest T-shirt I’ve ever seen!
What about OneCommander file manager?
Where can I get that great background image?
Directory Opus Only
How big is the max char limit for each of those?
I used Total Commander all my life but recently whenever I start to use it it slows down my computer so I just use the default Windows 10 file explorer which I don't like that much.
I tried everything (update, uninstall/re-install) but nothing changed.
@CyberCPU Tech Nice while where at it can I have an alternative shell or Desktop Environment for my Desktop instead if the default one that is buildited into Windows Explorer Hey that would be a great video idea to work on?
It's awesome all those alternatives are cool!!!
Next can you find alternatives to PC settings (or control panel) ?
thanks, I didnt know about FreeCommanderXE
this is exactly what I wanted without paying crazy ammount of money to DOPus.
Im not a fan of tabs, cause when dealing with mods and other sorting, I like seeing what I drag from and to, beside if you click to focus on right or left content window, the tree jumps to that location, and knowing mods go in correct folder is sweet.
But atleast theres difrent explorer alternatives for us all, so everyone can be happy to use what they want
Nobody wants to watch a 2 hour video about file managers? HA! I would watch every minute.
DRAG AND DROP standard keys: Hold down SHIFT = MOVE, CTRL = COPY, ALT = SHORTCUT.
Hello, how are you? I can't preview Word documents before opening them in my Windows 8.1 file explorer. Would you have any suggestions? If so, I would like to thank you and hugs...
Good video. Thanks. I also have been majorly unhappy with Explorer and have been searching for a better for a long time. I tried File and it did have an icon. But it seemed to me that it is simply not completed yet. At the time i tried it you could not customize the windows in the left hand panel. Very upsetting. Anyway, I have settled on MyFiles X Free. It's not quite perfect but pretty good. Give it a try.
I've had a problem with file manager for months and couldn't work out what was going on with the double click as it would stall and take a min to work or crash the screen. This problem still did not go away after installing the windows 11 update and neither Microsoft had an answer but I never thought of installing another file manger lol.
Maybe you should look at Multi Commander. Both 32 and 64 bit plus portable as well.
Drinking game: Take a shot every time CyberCPU Tech says "it is what it is"
what linux variant do you use? Fedora, Manjaro? I daily drive linux myself, but use Windows for work and some other systems.
OpenSUSE.
Do these file explorers have dark mode?
Thanks!
As of version 1.40.1748, thumbnails seem to be working in Explorer++.
@CyberCPU Tech Hey Rich!!! How many of these programs have "keyboard shortcuts" to accomplish what you were trying to find and "clickity-click" on???🤔 I think you should also score a program based on the depth of keyboard shortcuts...what if someone wanted to program those keyboard shortcut macros to a particular keyboard???🤔 Also just wondering if you've ever used "WinDirStat" which I consider to be a "deep" file explorer as you get a visual representation of file size AND you get categorization BY file type!!! Might want to delete some HUUUGE zip, temp files or restore points. Regarding Windows Explorer...you can never have too much screen "real estate"--extra screens for extra open windows!!!😁👍🏻
Unfortunately I didn't have a ton of time to test all the aspects of all of these file explorers. Literally the idea for the video and the testing of each file manager took place in one day. So I only had so much time I could spend on each file manager.
So this video is really only a first impression style video. I didn't get very in-depth.
Dolphin being a KDE app is really a C++ Qt app so it can be compiled for any platform that runs Qt which is all platforms. However the KDE version has some components that aren't always available on generic Qt systems so some of the huge KDE library hasn't been compiled recently.
I have painstakingly investigated many alternate file managers and come to similar conclusions. I like a lot about Explorer++, but it is annoying that a particular set of tabs cannot be saved (unless you write a batch file). The program can be set to remember the last tabs used, but often I navigate within these and inadvertently change things, and have to spend time re-setting up my preferred tabs. Also, like most other file managers (apart from Windows), file previews suck or do not exist (e.g. pdf or svg preview). So, I always go back to Windows. I just wish one could save tabs in Windows file explorer.
If i recall correctly you can store all open tabs as bookmarks with one click, with Clover. Then you can make Clover open those bookmarks all at once, in case you want to restore them.
I know Clover crashes from time to time, but it's free.
Still using UltraExplorer: heavily customization possible, adding shortcuts to have access to all programs you need (rarely having to see W11 interface)
Is there a file manager where hovering the mouse over the folder will show the files inside? That will save a lot of time.
Files sucks because it requires windows app store.
I removed the app store from my windows and there's no way to use FILES.
I hate when I right click something and go to properties, the window cann't be sized. (i'm on windows 10)
Yeah, that's definitely a downside. In fact the test system I used to film this video still has files installed because I couldn't uninstall it for some reason. 😂🤣
I've learned about the dolphin file manager when I got my Steam Deck. Only then I realized how limited the Windows Explorer is - I had always the feeling it's a bit underpowered... but it worked somehow. Dolphin with its tabs, the trees within the folders themselves and the ability to create mklinks just by dragging & dropping blew me away.
where can i download the dolphin file manager?
The link is in the description. Sorry, I forgot to put them there when I published the video.
Hello CyberCpu . Can you be able to make a video on how to create a custom windows 11 ISO for professional video editing and production in the likes of adobe collection master .photoshop, premium pro,after effects, illustrator, etc cinema 4d please
Maybe you should consider discussing the benefits of dual pane file managers instead of focusing on how easy it to close the right pane.
Altap Salamander user here. And was shareware but now totally free in version 4.
Any chance you could share a list of the paid apps you find?
22:54 what link to the alternatives?
Sorry, I forgot. They are there now.
the Dolphin File Manager windows install link is broken
Directory Opus is by far the best. Not free, but so full featured.
Great Video,
Great topic 👍
The Windows 11 tabbed file Explorer with the details pane at the bottom = maximum productivity
You have some grate videos just subscibed.
Do you have a video or an explanation on how to disable the TABS on Windows File Explorer ? because I do not use it and its just disturbs the XP theme
will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow
16:47 I'm assuming thats because Explorer ++ is using the old list view from Windows XP
It has always made me wonder why Microsoft spend so much time adding unless features nobody wants or asked for and changing features that people use making them useless in windows. but the things that could be improved like file explorer just gets left half baked. If third party programmers can add useful features and improve user experience why can’t Microsoft? Don’t even get me started on the windows 11 start menu or the 100s of clicks to get to something that was just 1 in previous versions of windows.
Total commander is my favorite , i use it since my first PC form 2007, don't need anything else.
@CyberCPU Tech
Rich, nice video! You forgot the links though.
Sorry about that. They are there now.
I just found out that in Explorer++ you can also close a tab by double clicking it
Nice
Q-Dir is a pretty good option.
Looking for a file explorer alternative. Currently, windows explorer is always crashing on me. No matter what all I do to try and fix it, it's still giving me issues. Hopefully using a third-party program will take care of that.
The last one in the list (Files) is the best one imo, you don't have to relearn to use a file manager bc Files is very similar to the stock default File Explorer (in terms of appearance with added functionality) or just reinstall Windows I think that'd fix your problem
what about Total Commander
I went down this path before, but it was too inconvenient to switch. But Windows search is fundamentally broken. So I use Voidtools Everything in combination with Explorer.
Dolphin link doesn't work
Can you search by 2 words only. For example: file title with the word "invoice" and "Davis". To give the result of every file with Davis and invoice in the title. Thanks
Forget thumb drives, portable apps are critical if you want to use these programs within a big organization that locks down your computer. Everything should be a portable app.
13:44
It appears that your install of dolphin on windows doesn't save temporary files
That explains the thumbnails not showing. And also zip files not loading. Cause it can't seem to access temporary directories
Missing permissions maybe?
xplorer2 for me. been using it for years
Amazing
Double commander is a must for Linux.
Most "alternatives" are dumpster fires.
On Windows, I use Total Commander for almost 2 decades.
Bought the license to thank Ghisler for those hundreds of hours saved while renaming tens of thousands of files.
As of today I'm learning new things about the software to upgrade the experience.
My clients usually get FreeCommander XE. It does everything they need (aka basics).
On Linux, I use Krusader, another TC clone. IT's quite good though it has some bugs (mostly on the archive-handling part).
Dolphin uses the default program to open zip files, as it does in linux with normally ark
How about a W7 Explorer
That Directory Opus is not included is a big mistake, need to re-shoot the video :)
@@sasherz13 the pricetag is crazy, its insane how much you get for so little.. FreeCommander looks the same but its whats under the hood that makes DOP the absolute king!
I may do another video on paid file managers.
@@CyberCPU Please... if not just Directory Opus.
Well, if you use it everyday and file organization is important, maybe not so crazy. It not only manages files on your physical disks, but Google Drive, One Drive, Network drives, FTP, as though they were physical drives. It comes with a crapton of features. I have no interest in Dopus I am a paying user and it is well worth it to me.@@gromit_2959
About file managers "strong root structure" - well ,most users seem to be at snowflake level, with a selfies folder and maybe some music files - and they're satisfied with that simple weed-field look without any tought to organize their documents...
And seems, that the good programmers Microsoft has, have moved to departments, that deal with registry editor level stuff..(cos there is perfect root structure present in W10 regedit.exe)
Good video
thanks for testing all of them so we don't have to. made using windows even more uncomfortable for me and I had to open my linux virtual machine for a moment just to use a good file manager :D ...
Hey man, Windows 11 default file explorer keeps crashing very often. Every 5 minutes! Its damn irritating. I couldn't find any solid solution over the youtube to fix it. I don't want third-party software. Can you help?
By the way, I am Roy
To be fair all these alternatives are no match for XYPLORER. This explorer is the best. Using it for almost 10 years.
Ignorantly id have been fine with a 2 hour video on file managers.
I want a file manager that doesn't look like its a windows program, but is cross platform for linux, mac, haiku os, in fact I want Haiku Tracker as my go to file manager
"Files" lags on my system (5900X, 32GB DDR4 4000MHz, NVMe SSDs, etc)
I wish you implemented chapters in the video to skip over the the file managers we know we don't want.
im just looking to add tags like notion
I use NexusFile for simple cases and Double Commander for advanced things. Double Commander is Total Commander clone. In this video author misuses Double Commander.
I would actually like a File Explorer that could split up into 2 parts.
Where the files currently are, and where the fight might/are going right next to it. Both of them always visible.
Try Xplorer2 Lite.
@@Panglo55 Thank you.
Going tyo give it a try after work this afternoon!
@@Panglo55 i use Xplorer2 many years.. best replace for explorer, but requires some tune after setup and usage experience to learn all the tricks
try directory opus