Most people that use Windows tend to just use Windows Explorer as their file manager. A vast number of people likely don't even realize that there are other options. Windows Explorer is painfully limited in features, especially lacking the tabs that 95% of file managers utilize. In my line of work, I have to compare, browse, edit, move, delete and rename vast numbers of files. Windows Explorer just can't handle the task.
I ended up using FreeCommander file manager, which had all the features I was looking for with extensive customization options for the user interface and a built in viewer that could be used inside the window I was working on. That was actually the most difficult feature to find as I discovered later.
After a while though, I became very frustrated with FreeCommander's 32 bit free version. It became slow and often froze. So I decided to comparison shop, so to speak. My requirements were few but necessary: I had to be able to customize every aspect of the user interface. I didn't want the horrible ribbon style that some developers used from Microsoft applications. I just wanted toolbars that I could customize as I chose. I also had to have an internal viewer that would preview media in the opposite pane of the file chosen. This was ridiculously hard to find. Another had-to-have was dual pane viewing, so I could open a folder in one pane and move files to a different folder shown in the other pane. The final requirement was that it had to be free. I'm ridiculously poor. Therefore, the following file managers were not tested by me in any way, due to them being anywhere from $20-$90: xplorer2, Altap Salamander, Directory Opus, and XYplorer. I've heard great things about them all but unless I win the lottery, I'll never know for myself.
I nearly chose MultiCommander but the internal viewer opened in a new tab and I wanted it to be in the pane instead.
These are just some of the file managers that I eliminated due to not having one of the features I listed: TotalCommander, Double Commander, Nexus File Manager, Midnight Commander, Q-Dir (for those of you who like 4 panes) MuCommander, OneCommander, UnrealCommander, Fman and File Voyager, the last of which was my second most liked after MultiCommander.
Then I discovered one that I loved and once I ran it, I was completely and totally happy. So which one was it?
Free Commander, the 64bit portable version that can be had by donating $5
Irony, right?
I ended up using FreeCommander file manager, which had all the features I was looking for with extensive customization options for the user interface and a built in viewer that could be used inside the window I was working on. That was actually the most difficult feature to find as I discovered later.
After a while though, I became very frustrated with FreeCommander's 32 bit free version. It became slow and often froze. So I decided to comparison shop, so to speak. My requirements were few but necessary: I had to be able to customize every aspect of the user interface. I didn't want the horrible ribbon style that some developers used from Microsoft applications. I just wanted toolbars that I could customize as I chose. I also had to have an internal viewer that would preview media in the opposite pane of the file chosen. This was ridiculously hard to find. Another had-to-have was dual pane viewing, so I could open a folder in one pane and move files to a different folder shown in the other pane. The final requirement was that it had to be free. I'm ridiculously poor. Therefore, the following file managers were not tested by me in any way, due to them being anywhere from $20-$90: xplorer2, Altap Salamander, Directory Opus, and XYplorer. I've heard great things about them all but unless I win the lottery, I'll never know for myself.
I nearly chose MultiCommander but the internal viewer opened in a new tab and I wanted it to be in the pane instead.
These are just some of the file managers that I eliminated due to not having one of the features I listed: TotalCommander, Double Commander, Nexus File Manager, Midnight Commander, Q-Dir (for those of you who like 4 panes) MuCommander, OneCommander, UnrealCommander, Fman and File Voyager, the last of which was my second most liked after MultiCommander.
Then I discovered one that I loved and once I ran it, I was completely and totally happy. So which one was it?
Free Commander, the 64bit portable version that can be had by donating $5
Irony, right?
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