Need Replacement for Win Explorer

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Having bounced between XP and Win 7 a lot the last few weeks, I’m reminded just how badly Win Explorer has been busted in Win 7.

So I need a replacement, and there’s no better place to get a recommendation than here, I hope. There are a bunch of file managers with tons of features, but I could live with the simple XP Win Explorer in Win 7.

What’s a good, solid, and simple replacement?

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Oh crap, I put this in the wrong place. So sorry!

Edit…for a moment I saw this in the XP forum. Weird. Now I can’t delete this post. Weirder. lol

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You can’t replace the Explorer in Windows, it’s deeply embedded within the OS (open task manger and kill explorer.exe and you will see what I mean – no wait a minute that’s a bad piece of advice to follow, but I guess it makes the point!).

There may be add on applications that do what you want, but I don’t know what it is you that want from a file manager that isn’t already included or configurable in Win7. So please describe what you are trying to achieve and someone may be able to point you to a solution.

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There may be add on applications that do what you want, but I don’t know what it is you that want from a file manager that isn’t already included or configurable in Win7. So please describe what you are trying to achieve and someone may be able to point you to a solution.

I want one that works as well visually, and functionally, as XP. In Win 7 I can’t tell by looking in the left pane which folder is open. There’s no visual clue that I can see, where in XP it was obviously obvious. By clicking folders, I can completely lose the relationship between the right and left panes. Find it hard to believe that this bug survives.

Second, double-click a folder in the left pane and it shoots to the bottom. WTH?

Third, I prefer to see the path in the title bar, not that chain of virtual names. I have to click to see the path, and that loses selections. Plus, it doubles the frustration of not knowing where I’m at due to the lack of visual clues.

In short, I can’t fathom how anybody manages a folder structure with this tool.

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I’d like to second BATCher’s recommendation for xplorer2. I’ve used the professional version since 2004, and there are lite and portable versions as well as an Explorer-replacement option. It has dual window and multi-tab capability, and many, many other features.

I know there are many free file managers available, but I’ve stuck with this one for many good reasons. It’s the only program that’s in the Startup folder on every machine I’ve ever owned.

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Here’s a review of 15 paid & free replacements, but it’s from 2006-7:
http://www.simplehelp.net/2006/10/11/10-windows-explorer-alternatives-compared-and-reviewed/

Zig

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Googleis our friend. A simple search shows several possibilities, several of which have been mentioned previously in these forums

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Googleis our friend. A simple search shows several possibilities, several of which have been mentioned previously in these forums

A search of these forums proved fruitless. Google is useless unless I can conjure the difference between spam and real utilities. Thus, I’m asking for recommendations.

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I want one that works as well visually, and functionally, as XP. In Win 7 I can’t tell by looking in the left pane which folder is open. There’s no visual clue that I can see, where in XP it was obviously obvious. By clicking folders, I can completely lose the relationship between the right and left panes. Find it hard to believe that this bug survives.

Second, double-click a folder in the left pane and it shoots to the bottom. WTH?

Third, I prefer to see the path in the title bar, not that chain of virtual names. I have to click to see the path, and that loses selections. Plus, it doubles the frustration of not knowing where I’m at due to the lack of visual clues.

I’m not going to try to convince you to stick with something that you have decided against – that would be pointless.

However, it is worth noting all the issues you mention are either intentional or configurable in Windows 7.

Each to their own however, so if you need to switch, Zig has given a good source for review.

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However, it is worth noting all the issues you mention are either intentional or configurable in Windows 7.

Seriously? The folder shooting to the bottom is a feature? Or can I turn it off?

And how do I know what folder I’m in? There’s no clue, unlike the open folder icon and highlighted name in XP…if there’s a configuration for that, let me know. If it’s a feature, why???? ….ok, there seems to be the hint of a bigger shadow on the open folder, but wow, it’s faint.

Here’s the deal…I’ve been managing a large folder structure for 20 years, largely with a good tool. I need a good tool for Win 7, and Microsoft’s “new way we want you to work” is a major step backwards for managing folders and files. Maybe it’s great for their objects and virtual stuff, but my organization’s files and folder actually exist.

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Change to Classic Theme. Should do most of what you need out of the box (though it looks rather clunky).

Control Panel> Appearance and Personalistion> Classic Theme (near the bottom).

However, you also should supplement classic theme by adjusting the folders view and menus:

Select Organise from within Explorer, then Folder and Search Options and the View tab. Then tick Display full path in Title Bar. At which point you have the full path in the title bar at the very top of the window.

Think that covers it.

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Hi John-O,

Check out this How To Geek for a review and instructions on how to use the ‘Classic Shell’ for Windows 7. You can modify both the Start Menu and Windows Explorer to be more like ‘XP’. The program allows you to change both or just one of the two. I tried it myself a couple of months ago on a Win7 32 bit install, and it was smooth as silk, taking very little in the way of system resources. And best of all, there have been no negative issues associated with it.

Here is another link for more info on Classic Shell.

It may not be exactly what you are looking for, but it should be worth a look.

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I have not used an explorer shell replacement for Windows 7, so I can’t actually advise on a particular app, but I can empathize with at least the “The folder shooting to the bottom” anoyance you describe. I’ve just learned to live with it :angry: since I can do pretty much everything I’ve done previously.

Until you get someone who has first hand experience of a realy decent explorer shell replacement to recommend to you…
dumping libraries is the next best thing; How to Enable or Disable the Libraries Feature in Windows 7
I believe that Microsoft’s attempt at libraries is a way to help organize the chronically disorganized amongst us, although many might actually find it a usefull feature, organized or otherwise, I do not. (with regards to file system organization)

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Since no-one seems to want to recommend anything, I will throw caution to the wind and say that I use (the paid version of) xplorer2[/SIZE][/FONT]. A so-called Lite version is also available.

PS I agree with the OP that the standard Windows 7 Explorer contains enhanced awfulness…

BATcher

Plethora means a lot to me.

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Windows 7 Explorer contains enhanced awfulness…

LOL, I love that. It’s the one reason I haven’t moved my main machine (this one) to Win 7. FWIW I have read a couple Win 7 books, written a few tutorials, and just can’t grasp any whiff of productivity improvement from the new Start menu, Win Explorer, or Libraries. Thanks Clint for that link, too. And thanks Batcher for the recommendation.

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Hi John-O
I too am a very recent migrant to Win 7 and simply hate Win Explorer. I think Win 7 Explorer is a bit like Dr Strangelove.. You may remember the movie of yonks ago, “How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb!” (The Bomb being Win Explorer!)

One possible replacement, which I’m using is Explorer++. It’s as close as I can get to the old XP Win Explorer. Its only little foible is that when you move files/folders you have to close and reopen it before you can access them. But as Explorer++ reopens to the same place it doesn’t present any problems. I’m using it quite happily.

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Well, this is going to my last post on the subject as it seems I’m the only one that gets along with the default Windows Explorer.

I can’t agree that the highlighting of a folder is weak or grey or difficult to see. Perhaps it’s my eyes, but it’s perfectly clear to me: see attached.

27975-explorer

In that image I’m browsing C:ATISupport10-12_vista64_win7_64_ddPackagesAppsCIMWin64. The folder is quite clearly highlighted as is the path in the explorer navigation bar at the top. I could do the same with the files and folders in my user account, but that’s not for public display.

Perhaps the issue is with Libraries rather than Explorer. If so, don’t use libraries, just navigate to where you need to be – no virtual this or virtual that – a solid defined path.

As users migrate from legacy systems there are new ways of working. Windows 7 is a huge leap from Windows XP and I guess many people have become comfortable with interfaces that they have become used to. Many will wish to have similar experiences to XP or earlier. But to quote today’s Windows Secrets Newsletter “Don’t pay for software you don’t need”. Learn to use the new features and they will reward you.

OK, so bring on the flames: but it works perfectly well for me, and my (non-server) systems and I don’t have to learn to use a non-native interface.

YMMV

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Well, this is going to my last post on the subject as it seems I’m the only one that gets along with the default Windows Explorer.

I can’t agree that the highlighting of a folder is weak or grey or difficult to see. Perhaps it’s my eyes, but it’s perfectly clear to me: see attached.

27975-explorer

In that image I’m browsing C:ATISupport10-12_vista64_win7_64_ddPackagesAppsCIMWin64. The folder is quite clearly highlighted as is the path in the explorer navigation bar at the top. I could do the same with the files and folders in my user account, but that’s not for public display.

Perhaps the issue is with Libraries rather than Explorer. If so, don’t use libraries, just navigate to where you need to be – no virtual this or virtual that – a solid defined path.

As users migrate from legacy systems there are new ways of working. Windows 7 is a huge leap from Windows XP and I guess many people have become comfortable with interfaces that they have become used to. Many will wish to have similar experiences to XP or earlier. But to quote today’s Windows Secrets Newsletter “Don’t pay for software you don’t need”. Learn to use the new features and they will reward you.

OK, so bring on the flames: but it works perfectly well for me, and my (non-server) systems and I don’t have to learn to use a non-native interface.

YMMV

+1 on that.

I had no idea that the explorer interface was hated so much. I had a hard time seeing what all the fuss was about when following along in this thread. I can plainly see where I’m at in the folder tree with the little carat. The carat point is looking due east when closed and points south east when the folder is open. Maybe i’m not looking at the same problem that the rest of you are looking at. I did turn on the setting that RetiredGeek noted in his post and that does highlight the current folder, although it is kinda light. I think that is part of the Aero theme for highlighted items to be somewhat faint. If it is that bothersome you can compensate for that by adjusting your LCD contrast a little to make it show up better.

I know when Windows 7 was first released that the IT community was annoyed that you couldn’t tell which folders are shared by looking at the folder tree. They took away the butler hand underneath the folder like it was in XP. In a home network environmewnt it is a non issue but in a coporate environment where they could have hundreds of shared drives or folders, it would be a nightmare to keep it all straight IMO. Luckily I don’t have to worry about that so much since I don’t work in a enterprise environment at all. I just have a home network to deal with.

DOS_equis

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I have used Servant Salamander for longer than I care to remember, comes with a lot of plug-ins and is better than the old Norton’s Commander.
I have not used Explorer since Win 98
http://www.altap.cz/

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Classic theme…geez I wish that was the XP theme and not 2k, or that I could use it only for WinExp. Losing the entire Win 7 UI is too much though. It does, however, provide a highlight of the open folder, which is a major Win 7 omission…look away to another screen and come back, not remembering where I was and not having a way to know w/o clicking the address bar, and losing my selection.

Display full path doesn’t work, it’s always been selected on all my installations since it existed, along with unhiding extensions, etc.

Thanks Deadeye, I’ll have a look at that asap.

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Classic theme…geez

Managing Windows servers with Classic Theme as the only available option (yuk!) might explain why I like the in built Aero Theme on Explorer when I can get back to the office for a dose of sanity.

BTW, full path does work, but only as an extension of classic theme.

Good luck with the add-ons.

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Here’s an option you may want to set:
In Explorer click on Organize.
Click on Folder and Search Options.
Check Automatically expand to current folder.
Click Apply
Click OK:cheers:

BTW: When this option is set Explorer does highlight the currently active folder in the left pane. However, with the standard Aero theme it is a Very Light highlighting!!!!!

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Another feature of Win Explorer in XP is that it shows “Disk free space” in the bottom bar for any drive that you are working in. Is there a way to show “Disk free space” the same way when using Win Explorer with with Win7 ?

Thanks

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Is there a way to show “Disk free space” the same way when using Win Explorer with with Win7 ?

Not that I’m aware of.

I use a nifty little tool called Scanner from Steffen Gerlach which builds a nested pie chart of the drive. You can drill down into each folder, and launch an explorer window from any layer as required. You can also add it to the context menu so you can right click on an object and “Scan” it to produce the pie chart.

Really useful for finding where all that disk space went to.

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I use Servant Salamander, the paid version. I started with V1.2 or something way way back & have used it ever since, I’m now up to V2.54. I’ve also used freeCommander for a little while, on a loan PC, it was OK but I missed too many features. It all depends on what you do & how you do it. I’r recommend Salamander anytime. Win Explorer is like a kid’s attempt to copy a real file manager.

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When I had a real job I bought XYplorer. It has more options than you will ever use but I found it very efficient for file management. I believe there is still a free version you can try. http://www.xyplorer.com/

Other than the folder jumping to the bottom, which I really really hate, I get along fine with the Win 7 explorer now that I don’t need all the available file management options of XYplorer.

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Other than the folder jumping to the bottom, which I really really hate,

Amen to that! But this was discussed in an earlier post and someone suggested Classic Shell (http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/) which has eliminated this behavior and restored my sanity.

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Amen to that! But this was discussed in an earlier post and someone suggested Classic Shell (http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/) which has eliminated this behavior and restored my sanity.

Hi cafed00d –
I just downloaded Classic Shell and installed only the Classic Explorer for now. Will install Classic Menu later if the need arises. It looks like this will address many of the issues raised in this thread. Among other features, I like having the Up Arrow, Free space, etc.

Here are some features for anyone interested …
Classic Shell: Features

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TintoTech…My monitor wasn’t showing that left pane highlight at all. It simply wasn’t there. The monitor’s gamma control brought it out…the control is misadjusted now, but I can at least begin to use Win Explorer without the frustration. Tried the detailed color settings and none of them work…there used to be a bunch of Registry settings for all this stuff once upon a time, it’s probably still in there somewhere without a UI interface.

I still don’t like that fact that a power tool like Win Explorer is loaded with a bunch of eye candy. BTW, Adobe went away from all the “pretty” slight tints and hues in its UI, in favor of high contrast and quick eye recognition. Maybe MS will follow their lead, eventually. Hah.

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Classic Shell also provides several other options for tweaking Windows Explorer. Among them is an option to mark all shared folders so they can be easily recognized as shares.

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After an exhaustive evaluation, I decided on SpeedCommander (http://www.speedproject.de/enu/). When configured correctly (a challenge). it does everything I want.

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Classic Shell is awesome…The ability to use either the old or new Start menu is great. The new Vista/7 Start menu is very good….until I want to dig into apps through All Programs, where the old one is much easier. Now I have the best of both.

Thanks!

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Classic Shell is awesome…The ability to use either the old or new Start menu is great. The new Vista/7 Start menu is very good….until I want to dig into apps through All Programs, where the old one is much easier. Now I have the best of both.

Thanks!

You are very welcome. I am glad you found it to be an easy resolution to your issues with Win7 Explorer. Enjoy!

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Classic Shell is awesome…The ability to use either the old or new Start menu is great. The new Vista/7 Start menu is very good….until I want to dig into apps through All Programs, where the old one is much easier. Now I have the best of both.

Thanks!

Another nice thing – Classic Shell is FREE!!!
Classic Shell

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I have been a faithful user of what you may be talking about since Central Point PC Tools File Manager, through Norton Navigator, to Avanquest PowerDesk Pro 8. That is the top commercial product and if you can get a trial then you can find out for yourself. It has an excellent interface and is user-friendly. Once you have it you qualify for a discount on upgrades to future versions, as well as free updates as they become available. (It is fully compatible with Win 7, and Win 7 may be around longer than XP from the look of things.) The one drawback is that it is a single-computer licence (I think), so it gets expensive if you want it on more than one computer.

The Same-Thing-Only-Different is FreeCommander which, as the name implies, is freeware. It works perfectly well on Win 7 but takes a bit more learning, since the interface isn’t quite as friendly. Once you learn the ropes, I think it will accomplish almost all of the same tasks, but I haven’t made a trick-by-trick comparison.

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