Alternatives to Windows Explorer?

[nmX.Memnoch]

*sigh*

Read the thread!

He's not trying to replace the Windows shell. He's just looking for a good file manager.

[Gompedyret]

I've been hunting for the supreme file manager for a couple of years now and have tried, well, several of them. A few are so good that they are kept as supplementary managers (e.g. ExplorerXP has great renaming options), but most lacked some feature or they just didn't feel right. So I ended up still using good old explorer.

Then, only recently and incidentally, a file manager called Directory Opus came to my attention. To make a long story short, I haven't used windows explorer once since. It basically looks and feels like explorer, but adds all the little nice things like tabs, ftp, favorite folders and dual (or quadruple if you like) panes. And it is configurable and tweakable like nothing I've ever seen (except total commander perhaps, though it's a few generations since I used it, so that may have changed). Also important is that despite it's volumous set of features it feels really quick and responsive.

Very few programs have become indispensable in my book, this is quickly becoming one. Try it!

[Kench]

I've been hunting for the supreme file manager for a couple of years now and have tried, well, several of them. A few are so good that they are kept as supplementary managers (e.g. ExplorerXP has great renaming options), but most lacked some feature or they just didn't feel right. So I ended up still using good old explorer.

Then, only recently and incidentally, a file manager called Directory Opus came to my attention. To make a long story short, I haven't used windows explorer once since. It basically looks and feels like explorer, but adds all the little nice things like tabs, ftp, favorite folders and dual (or quadruple if you like) panes. And it is configurable and tweakable like nothing I've ever seen (except total commander perhaps, though it's a few generations since I used it, so that may have changed). Also important is that despite it's volumous set of features it feels really quick and responsive.

Very few programs have become indispensable in my book, this is quickly becoming one. Try it!

Ah yes, Directory Opus.

I had the exact same experience while hunting for an Explorer replacement several years back, until I stumbled upon Directory Opus by accident. I have never touched Explorer or any other candidates out there ever since. Everything just feels right.

Best thing about it is that it looks and feels almost exactly like Explorer, with of course tons of additional power-ups. That means you almost don't need to spend additional time getting used to it. And if you choose to let it replace your shell (Explorer), the only way you will ever see Explorer again is by going to Start > Run and type "explorer.exe." Explorer will be completely out of your sight.

This program can be both shell replacement/enhancement, or simply just another file manager. It's the user's choice.

[jaclaz]

Just for the record, a few years back I had a problem (with Registry) on a Win2K box, so that Explorer would not start (as SHELL).

So, as a temporary fix, I installed a trial of AstonShell (COMMERCIAL).

Once done that, I found that Explorer (as FILE MANAGER) did not work as well.

So, again as a temporary fix, I adopted the Dimension File Manager, a very minimalistic filemanager.

Since I am somewhat "old-school" and I always do my "file moving/copying/managing" in a NC compatible app, see OFM here:

http://www.softpanorama.org/OFM/Paradigm/index.shtml

http://www.rmonet.com/commander/

I found that combining the two of them I had BOTH an easy "visual" File Manager and a handy "advanced" one, so, even once I had the Registry fixed on that machine, I do like using them.

Dimension File Manager can still be found here:

http://www.aplusfreeware.com/categories/ut...lemanagers.html

or here:

http://www.tinyapps.org/file.html

This should be its "successor":

http://members.tripod.com/dj_tow/minex.htm

http://members.tripod.com/dj_tow/files/MiniExplorer_03b.zip

Some screenshots are here:

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...pic=95&st=2

jaclaz

[Mïthräńdîr~2ÖÖ7©]

That was a nice conversation. Thanks a lot, you guys. I still think Windows Explorer would be a better option.

[NukedWhale]

Basically it's sounding like Total Commander, Xplorer, and perhaps Directory Opus are some of the best options. Are the free versions all pretty stable? I don't want to bring the wrath of the IT manager.

[DL.]

The free versions may be missing some more or less important features, but stability shouldn't be a problem.

It takes some time getting used to a new app when you've used a different one for years.

[severach]

Total Commander is 100% functional without registration. There is only a 1/2/3 nag screen. I registered years ago but never applied it. The nag screen gets to be second nature just like the rest of the program.

[jaclaz]

There is only a 1/2/3 nag screen.

And of course, attached to it, some sense of guilt for not complying to the License:

Total Commander is a Shareware program. This means that you can test it for a period of 30 days. After testing the program, you must either order the full version, or delete the program from your harddisk.

jaclaz

[DL.]

I found this and this nice comparison of many file managers. I've also tried some of them and particularly liked Directory Opus, but the other ones aren't bad either. I don't like the commander-style progs since they just look a bit too ugly for my taste.

[tain]

Basically it's sounding like Total Commander, Xplorer, and perhaps Directory Opus are some of the best options. Are the free versions all pretty stable? I don't want to bring the wrath of the IT manager.

Stability is an issue, huh? I've had more stability issues with explorer.exe over the years than with any of the alternate file managers I've ever tried.

[jaclaz]

Also, 7-zip can be configured as a dual-pane file manager, though it's a bit slow in enumerating a volume or directory with lots of files.

jaclaz