Looking for a good file manager to replace Windows Explorer (Win7 32bits)

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I use Win7 and I’m looking for a good File Manager to replace Windows Explorer.

I still have PowerDesk 8 PRO (Avanquest) but don’t use it anymore. It offers a lot of good features but doesn’t work as the first versions used to. Far from it.

It freezes most of the time and Avanquest’s support is not efficient.

It used to be the best file manager on the market years ago on its first versions. Not anymore.

I’m using Windows Explorer instead

Any suggestions?

Regards,

Flores

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I use Total Commander for already 10 years – it is not free, but has an eternal license.

http://www.ghisler.com/

Regards, Teunis

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Hello Teunis,

Thanks for your advice.
I’m going to experiment Total Commander.
Regards,
Flores

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I use xplorer2 – I even paid for the non-Lite version! (And no, it wasn’t because I consider the word ‘lite’ to be an abomination…)

BATcher

Plethora means a lot to me.

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I use xplorer2 –

BATcher, I will try it and then compare with Total Commander.
Thanks,
Flores

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I tried to download xplorer2 Lite but it was blocked by Avira Security Suite as malware.

I could switch off Avira whilst downloading and installing, but would like reassurance from someone who has installed it recently that the site is OK. Perhaps it is only the Lite version which comes with malware.

George

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I tried to download xplorer2 Lite but it was blocked by Avira Security Suite as malware.

I could switch off Avira whilst downloading and installing, but would like reassurance from someone who has installed it recently that the site is OK. Perhaps it is only the Lite version which comes with malware.

George

Yes, I think there is a problem. I tried or am trying several of these as well, and I think it was this download that gave me a toolbar. There are other applications as well (I think Nero Lite is one) that give you an unwanted or no-option toolbar, which many anti-malware applications will block as malware. If you don’t mind (yet another) toolbar (Who knows? It may be a good one) then it is best avoided. If you want to try it, then I think it is OK to download and you can probably uninstall or simply disable the toolbar if you don’t like it.

It might be a good idea to wait and see if anyone else can confirm what I have reported here, because I’m just relying on memory.

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Comparison of file managers
The above list in the link looks very comprehensive, for information purposes have yourself a look.

Classic Shell
xplorer² — free

Vote to fix Windows 7 Explorer

Since many people seem to agree that some or all the changes made to Windows Explorer have actually made it less user friendly, you can go to the Windows 7 Feedback page and (politely) let them know your suggestions for improving it:
Windows 7 feedback

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=Since many people seem to agree that some or all the changes made to Windows Explorer have actually made it less user friendly, you can go to the Windows 7 Feedback page and (politely) let them know your suggestions for improving it:
Windows 7 feedback

Hello Clint,

Thanks for your message.
In fact, I am an old user of computers. Not an expert, though. I’m 72 years old and had the oportunity over the years to write to MS several times asking them to improve the functionality of Windows Explorer.
As you say, it became less user friendly with age.
That’s why I’m looking for Windows Explorer substitutes.
Regards,
Flores

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For me, the best solution for all my computers (XP Home , Vista and Seven) and work (XP Pro) has been xplorer2. I purchased the pro version, the portable version, and the lifetime upgrade, and it’s been worth every penny.

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….For me, the best solution for all my computers … has been xplorer2. ….. and it’s been worth every penny.

Thanks, pjustice57,

I’m experimenting the free version.

Regards,
Flores

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Uninstall it completely and re-install it. Several of the handlers have been corrupted probably by bad disk surface IMHO.

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=mpioso;824744]Uninstall it completely and re-install it. Several of the handlers have been corrupted probably by bad disk surface IMHO.

Hi mpioso,
I will give PowerDesk 8PRO a new chance (the 4th maybe), and I guarantee that my HD has no bad sectors.
I will let you know of the results.
Thanks for your help,
Flores

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Uninstall it completely and re-install it. Several of the handlers have been corrupted probably by bad disk surface IMHO.

Stop after the first three words.

One of the best pieces of utility software………… at one time. Avanquest bought it and has run it into the ground by not supporting it. They own too many products to support just this one. It COULD still be good………..IF! The biggest word in the dictionary.

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=…One of the best pieces of utility software………… at one time. Avanquest bought it and has run it into the ground by not supporting it.

Old Hippie,

I fully agree with you!!!!
Cheers,
Flores

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I like QDIR.

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I’ve used Directory Opus 10 ( http://www.gpsoft.com.au/ ) for several years. It’s the best, by far, of all the ones I’ve tried.

The default settings are great but almost everything is customizable if you wish. The viewer pane supports many file different formats and you can add viewer plug-ins.

The user forum is fantastic. I’ve posted two or three questions over the years and have always had a response in less than 15 hours.

It’s not free but definately worth the price.

(PS I have no connection to Directory Opus or ‘gpsoft.com’)

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I’ve used Directory Opus 10 ( http://www.gpsoft.com.au/ ) for several years. It’s the best ……
It’s not free but definately worth the price.

Once or twice a year the English version of Directory Opus is available at BitsDuJour with a 50% discount.

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Like Teunis, I use Total Commander (a newer and much more elaborate sequel of the obsolete Norton Commander – called Windows Commander until 2002) for a long time and am quite satisfied as thousands of users.
Many tools, easy to learn, etc.
Once you use it, you cannot live without it.
http://www.ghisler.com/index.htm

Another solution if your main activity with a file manager is file copying, file moving, file renaming, comparing directories, changing attributes… is to open two instances of Windows Explorer and to arrange them side by side, using Snap
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Arrange-windows-side-by-side-on-the-desktop-using-Snap
You can also arrange them side by side by right-clicking the Taskbar.

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Hello Nouchet,

I am trying Total Commander, but not mastering it yet. For instance, I cannot make it open with the same configuration (Identical Vertical dual panes, the same directories, even using the save position and save settings. It opens the way I left the last session. I am new to it, though.
I agree with you that it has a lot of tools but is not much user friendly.

Thanks for the help.
Flores

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I have just started using MultiCommander – free edition and think it is very good so far.
The website is http://www.multicommander.com

Regards
Charlie

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I’m using Directory Opus 10.2. This is a file manager on steroids. Its not cheap but there is nothing to compare to it. Is by GP Software. Check it out.

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I’m a Directory Opus 10.0.2 subscriber too.
(it’s an Aussie product and Aussies rule, as you know )
My advise: don’t try to use every feature just because it offers it: you might end up lost and confused.
When you need some twig or specific functionality, check out the D.O options because your soluition will be in there somewhere.
Go to the D.O forum and ask longtime users what their favourite features are because sometimes there’s gems and alternative ways.
It’s not the cheapest app around but I think it’s worth the price (and my discretionary funds are very limited; I’m a battler).

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Having been more or less frustrated with Windows Explorer since day one, it was with enormous relief that I discovered xplorer2 a couple of years ago. And I don’t even use all the facilities of the lite version, although I do a lot of moving and copying and find the dual panes very useful.

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I’ve used Directory Opus 10 ( http://www.gpsoft.com.au/ ) for several years. It’s the best, by far, of all the ones I’ve tried.

The default settings are great but almost everything is customizable if you wish. The viewer pane supports many file different formats and you can add viewer plug-ins.

The user forum is fantastic. I’ve posted two or three questions over the years and have always had a response in less than 15 hours.

It’s not free but definately worth the price.

(PS I have no connection to Directory Opus or ‘gpsoft.com’)

I second this. DOpus really IS the front runner.

The default setup is all one needs to get started, but tweaking the various features it has to offer really does open one’s eyes. My ‘fav’ at the moment is the ability to FTP straight out of the window I am working in. Drag and drop, too!

I could eulogise for several paragraphs, and like planckster, I don’t have any connection with DOpus or GPSoft.

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I used Opus 6 several years ago but got lost in the settings – that version was very complex to set up.
I was going to use Opus 10, but resurrected my old xplorer2 and updated it. (I haven’t used Explorer since Windows 95!).
I can corroborate the response times from Opus – usually less than 12 hours (and Opus is in Australia – I’m in UK).

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I like FreeCommander which has been at v2009.02b for a couple of years now which tells you how stable it is. Twin multi-tabbed (if you want them to be) windows and a very useful ‘quick pick’ box at the bottom right of each window which isolates matching files (and turns the pane a choosable colour to remind you that it is active). I have tried xplorer2 in the past but went back to FreeCommander for this feature alone. From what I can see on the TotalCommander page, FreeCommander has lots of the same features as well for free. There seems to be some future development underway (‘XE’) but I am more than happy with 2009.02b.

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FreeCommander is really a freeware version or variant of PowerDesk Pro (AKA Norton Navigator AKA Central Point PC Tools etc.) and I’ve had them all, give or take a few. I haven’t done a feature-by-feature comparison, but they are extremely close. PowerDesk Pro has a slick interface and costs forty dollars per computer, and FreeCommander is flat-out free, not a trial, and will run under Win 7×64. It may take a bit of learning if you are migrating because the interface is less refined, but the functionality is pretty much all there.

Interestingly enough, I have the same problem with my PowerDesk Pro 8 as amflores, and I was once given the advice suggested by mpioso (in my case by Avanquest help, no less), so I’ll give that a shot again and I suggest amflores try the same before giving up on a slick and expensive product.

For those of us with multiple computers (and budgets), PowerDesk is overpriced. I have it installed on one computer, and I have FreeCommander on my other machines. Incidentally, in following this thread, I tried xplorer2 only to discover that the 64-bit version is not free.

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I just found this article at MakeUseOf.com last week.

”Replace Windows Explorer With A More Powerful Alternative”

Hopefully, you will find it useful.

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Hi JNygren,

As I am trying X2 I found the article quite useful.
Thanks,
Flores

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……FreeCommander[/B][/url] is really a freeware version ……….. PowerDesk Pro has a slick interface and costs forty dollars per computer, and FreeCommander is flat-out free, not a trial, and will run under Win 7×64….It may take a bit of learning …For those of us with multiple computers (and budgets), PowerDesk is overpriced.

Hello dogberry,

It all depends on what one needs from a file manager. I was so much fond of PowerDesk since its earlier versions, untill I upgraded to Vista and then (very fast) to Win7.
PowerDesk doesn’t work well, takes too long to load and hangs very often. I’m disappointed and started to look for a replacement.
From the help I got here, there is a bunch of available file managers to suit every need.
I am delighted for the help here and I am experimenting with several of them at the moment, giving a new chance to PowerDesk 8 Pro.
I will add FreeCommander to my list of experiments.
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
Flores

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This site (note it also links to an updated one) predates Win7, but somewhat answers your original question:

http://www.simplehelp.net/2006/10/11…-and-reviewed/

Zig

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This site (note it also links to an updated one) predates Win7, but somewhat answers your original question:

Zig

That is a very impressive (even if out-of-date) review. One thing I wish reviewers would do (although it can be a pain in the neck to find out) is let us know whether the licence is single-user, per machine, per a maximum number of machines, and so on. There are a lot of home-users in The Lounge, and home-users tend to be price-sensitive purchasers.

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I go way back to Central Point PC Tools and Norton Navigator as well. I have also tried most alternative explorer replacements. If price is a problem I would suggest Free Commander. If you can spend a little on something so important you should try Directory Opus. It costs a little but they do not gouge their users and the value is terrific. I think it is at least an order of magnitude better than anything else available. The features, capabilities and configuration options are extensive to say the least. Once you get used to using it and have it configured to your liking, you will never want to be without it. Truly an Explorer replacement…

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….. If you can spend a little on something so important you should try Directory Opus. It costs a little but they do not gouge their users and the value is terrific. …

Hello Boxtop,

Opus will be added soon to my experiment list.
Many thanks,
Flores

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As a few have said, Directory Opus is way ahead of anything else out there, if you need advanced capabilities married to ease of use. Far better value than anything free I’ve tried, since I value my time and lower stress

There are a multutitide of settings and options, so it’s a tool to get used to over time. Read some of the “How I use DOpus” articles to get ideas, and then set up various functions as you use them.

Lugh.
~
Alienware Aurora R6; Win10 Home x64 1803; Office 365 x32
i7-7700; GeForce GTX 1060; 16GB DDR4 2400; 1TB SSD, 256GB SSD, 4TB HD

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It does depend on what you’re using a file manager for. I like ZTree by Zedtec. If you ever used XTree or XTree Gold back in the good old days, ZTree is a modern day clone with all the bells and whistles. View any file. Zip, unzip. Rename options that allow you to do anything. Great searching abilities. File comparisons. An endless list of features actually.

The only problem with ZTree is that you have so many options you have to actually read the help text to learn new things.

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PowerDesk Explorer 7 is still available for free: http://www.mostiwant.com/blog/download-powerdesk-pro-7-serial-license-key-for-free/.

Version 8 has negligible usefulness over version 7, so this is still excellent.

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=PowerDesk Explorer 7 is still available for free……Version 8 has negligible usefulness over version 7, so this is still excellent.

Hello Bruce,

I still have my registered PDesk 7 PRO and I agree with u that both versions (7 & 8) are almost alike.
Have you tried PDesk 7 using Win7?

Regards,
Flores

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Hello Bruce,

I still have my registered PDesk 7 PRO and I agree with u that both versions (7 & 8) are almost alike.
Have you tried PDesk 7 using Win7?

Regards,
Flores

Flores,
Yes, I use PowerDesk Explorer all the time with Windows 7. Works perfectly.
It doesn’t detect Libraries, but I rarely use them anyway.

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For all of you guys that suggested DOpus,

I am experimenting with the free 60 days trial period for DOpus 10.
However, It is too powerful for my needs and quite expensive (almost US$ 90.00).

Anyway, thanks for the help.
Regards,
Flores

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I have DPOUS 9 yes it is expensive but for the power user it is great. I am not a power User, will not upgrade to 10 as it has the ribbon bar which I hate

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