File Explorer Isn't The Only Option
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- 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....
Double Commander
website: github.com/dou...
Dolphin File Manager
website: binary-factory...
Explorer++
website: explorerpluspl...
Files
website: github.com/fil...
#Windows #Mods #Tech
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.
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
Biggest junk I ever purchased. Not to be recommended. Sorry. 1. Cloud shows empty folders when they are actually not. 2. Download folder only as favorite, unless you open another tab. So very soon you have like 6-7 open tabs to see your files. 3. No My PC option so again open another tab. Even tough Windows Explorer is bad, Files is worse. My opnion.
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.
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.
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
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.
Buggy as hell tho; just installed it, went to change the file view - crash (everytime it opens so I can't reset it in the app).
To be fair all these alternatives are no match for XYPLORER. This explorer is the best. Using it for almost 10 years.
xplorer2 for me. been using it for years
Me also, two panes and I can open two instances one on each monitor giving four panes.
i would watch 2 hours of file managers
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.
Ignorantly id have been fine with a 2 hour video on file managers.
should i set files as default file explorer?
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.
Directory Opus is by far the best. Not free, but so full featured.
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.
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
What about OneCommander file manager?
Thanks for pointing to OneCommander. Exactly what I was looking for!👍
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 have been using Q-Dir for a while. It may look like crap but it does what i want.
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.!
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.
xplore on Android and DOPUS on windows are solid. Used both for years and the cost is minimal
Directory Opus Only
Maybe you should look at Multi Commander. Both 32 and 64 bit plus portable as well.
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
XYplorer beats all of these IMO.
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.
Not to be mean or anything, but you don't understand how to use some of these file systems. What you don't like are really features other people LOVE about them. We know how to use them. Maybe read the help files and understand two window systems? I love total commander but there is a glitch in windows 11 and I can't open word files so am searching for an alternative. I appreciate that you found a few alternatives but, well, you need to read the help files
Total commander
One commander
Qdir
Directory opus
Free commander
Free commander xe
Multi commander
Ultra explorer
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!👍😀
Total Commander. Everything else is a joke.
Reminder. All started ages ago in DOS with Norton Commander, then we had Volkov Commander, later DOS Navigator, and same idea was in Windows Commander, that become Total Commander (after Microsoft complain over name).
What Total Commander can do today, is way above anything else.
Stop wasting time with Windows File Manager, and all copies of it, and try Total Commander.
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!
@CyberCPU Tech
Rich, nice video! You forgot the links though.
Sorry about that. They are there now.
Yup. Freecommander is a good alternative. However, it seems to conflict with windows file explorer. I think Microsoft does this intentionally because they don't want you to use third party alternatives. I found that if I killed explorer and than launched freecommmander, it would launch pretty much instantly. If I did not do so, it would actually hang there for what seems like forever before a window would open. So, I had to resort to a macro based launch that would kill explorer and immediately launch freecommander. This solution works just fine, but it seems a bit of a kludge. It does serve to illustrate how Microsoft seems to be hampering third party applications from working properly on their platform. Of course I could be wrong and the developer of freecommander is at fault, but we are kind of suspicious of Microsoft these days.
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
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...
I don't like the tab switching. I'd rather stay in the tab I've chosen, for quicker lobbing of files to the places I want them when I have multiple tabs open, say, for sorting. Jumping tabs then just makes it slower to sort.
Thanks! Gonna try out FCxe and Files.
@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.
Love this channel! Subscribed!
File trees are useless when you use a two pane file manager. That's why they're not on by default. Because these file managers are meant to be used primarily with a keyboard, so you primarily switch directories with "return" and "backspace". That's also why tabs don't have X's on them, because they close with "ctrl+w" or a double click if you like using the mouse. You open new ones with "ctrl+t" and switch between them with "ctrl+tab". Those are basically the essential methods of using Windows with a keyboard.
Dragging from one tab to another copies files by default. If you wanna move them, you press "shift", like in File Explorer. Don't know how Double Commander handles archives, but Total Commander opens files when double-clicking on them or better yet pressing "return" on them. These file managers are not Explorer and its iterations. There's another mentality behind them and a much better one. And closing one pane is just stupid.
Also you can customize these file managers to look like you want. Double Commander looks crap by default, but you can make it look like Total Commander. It has tons of options.
Esentially, if you're gonna use them as the Windows File Explorer, then just use that useless piece of software. And if you're gonna use an alternative, just pay for Total Commander. There is nothing better, lighter and faster out there.
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.
Files is awful, and they try to trick you into buying it from the Windows Store. I've been using One Commander for a couple of weeks and it's great, although it still needs some polishing. Native handling of zip files would make it almost perfect.
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.
nice atleast there are options, but might aswell be none since they all suck!
onecommander is interesting, but its not foss
files looks promising and mercifully modern (not from the literal 90s), but its slow af and feels stuttery/janky
all the others look so old and disguisting
file explorer is generally great, though annoying problems
-often forgets view type for specific folders
-going to Downloads shortcut and N:/Downloads gives two different view formats rather than the same view/sort format
woah! was going to complain that tabs are great, though you cant re attach seperate windows, but no you actually now can! awesome!
Q-Dir ;)
I just upgraded to Windows 11 on one of my PCs and the new File Explorer is HORRIBLE! They completely ruined the Details pane, which I used all the time for quickly viewing and editing a file's properties. You can get the old version back, but it's broken with the dark theme, so it's basically unusable. All of the 3rd party file managers you showed in this video are also horrible. Just completely ugly, definitely designed by engineers. Files looks good but has limited features, and their Details pane is just as bad as default Windows 11. I'm so mad that Microsoft changed File Explorer in Windows 11. UGH.
try directory opus
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
LMAO.. Double Commander isnt what it is... confusion and worse than windows explorer.
Why even list it..? I know ... just to show the developers what crap it is. 😃
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.
So only ONE good replacement, the rest you just put in for padding. You talk to much.
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...
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...
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.
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).
Files buggy. Total commander not that bad and fairly usable, but other than that there is no other option in the world, lol.
I've been using TotalCommander for must be close to 20 years now. Love that app and it's my daily driver.
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.
Use an alternative file explorer, Double commander, to open original Windows 11 file explorer. LMAO🤣🤣🤣
Make videos on best paid file explorer
I'm considering it but this video isn't doing very good so I don't think a lot of people are really interested in it.
A long while back I really liked xplorer², but it was designed for another time, not 1440p times, and although it is really feature rich, I don't like the company that much.
FreeCommander XE is okay but very awkward to setup and customize. Too many trap doors and not intuitive. Terminology is odd. All in all it sucks.
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
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" lags on my system (5900X, 32GB DDR4 4000MHz, NVMe SSDs, etc)
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.
no love for Q-Dir ?
yea. been using it for at least a decade and it's excellent
Maybe you should consider discussing the benefits of dual pane file managers instead of focusing on how easy it to close the right pane.
Q-Dir is a pretty good option.
I wish you implemented chapters in the video to skip over the the file managers we know we don't want.
Best explorer on Android is MIXPLORER (Silver if you want to support)
Dolphin uses the default program to open zip files, as it does in linux with normally ark
Nobody wants to watch a 2 hour video about file managers? HA! I would watch every minute.
bruh he really didnt resize the fat icons on double commander to 16x16 lol
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!
DRAG AND DROP standard keys: Hold down SHIFT = MOVE, CTRL = COPY, ALT = SHORTCUT.
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
the Dolphin File Manager windows install link is broken
22:54 what link to the alternatives?
Sorry, I forgot. They are there now.
As of version 1.40.1748, thumbnails seem to be working in Explorer++.
But above all ... Total Commander is the BEST !!!
Okay after the third "i don't know" i type this and closed this...
well...we were lied to again ...nothing new today
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.
Pls add chapters in your videos.
i'm at 15m and oh boy , is this video called the worst file explorers 🤣
Altap Salamander user here. And was shareware but now totally free in version 4.
I HATE MICROSOFT ACCOUNTS!!! I'm setting up a Windows 11 Home laptop for an 84 year old. It's in "S mode". I have to create a Microsoft account for her so I can download Google Chrome. REALLY MICROSOFT? REALLY?
I have to create an account just to be able to use the hardware and software I already own? REALLY?
WHY CAN'T WE JUST USE LOCAL ACCOUNTS?
Just a heads up for you on "Windows 11 Home in S mode". &$@#+*@ Microsoft.
To disable S mode without a Microsoft account just go into the BIOS and disable secure boot. Then boot into Windows like normal go into settings and click on about. S mode should be disabled. Then reboot back into the BIOS and turn secure boot back on. When you return to Windows S mode should still be disabled.
How big is the max char limit for each of those?
Double commander is a must for Linux.
if FreeCommander is the only one you can find is bad new
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
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
The Windows 11 tabbed file Explorer with the details pane at the bottom = maximum productivity
I just found out that in Explorer++ you can also close a tab by double clicking it
Drinking game: Take a shot every time CyberCPU Tech says "it is what it is"
Any chance you could share a list of the paid apps you find?
How about a W7 Explorer