simplehelp.net — Windows Explorer, the default file manager for Microsoft Windows, hasn't really changed all that much over the years. In this article you'll find reviews, screenshots and links to download 10 different alternatives.
Oct 12, 2006 View in Crawl 4
mojoOct 13, 2006
Anyone try FreeCommander?<a class="user" href="http://www.freecommander.com/">http://www.freecommander.com/</a>
obkenobiOct 13, 2006
Directory Opus is actually older, I used it on my Amiga many years ago. But on the PC, I've used Total Commander ever since Symantec foolishly killed off Norton Commander.Also worth noting is half the other programs listed there are a copy of TC, so that should tell you something!Another reason it can't be beat is all these plugins:<a class="user" href="http://www.totalcmd.net/">http://www.totalcmd.net/</a>
obkenobiOct 13, 2006
There's actually a history of these "Commander" file managers, which the author calls "Orthodox File Managers." According to that, Norton was the original."The first OFM was written by John Socha in 1985-1986. He was the first director of research and development for now defunct Peter Norton Computing and the company released the first version of the product under the name of Norton Commander in 1986."<a class="user" href="http://www.softpanorama.org/OFM/Paradigm/Ofm_01.shtml">http://www.softpanorama.org/OFM/Paradigm/Ofm_01.shtml</a>
salmonmooseOct 13, 2006
You're kind of half right.They don't replace the explorer process fully. They do however remove the need to run it to browse files. If you want to completely get rid of Explorer.exe, you can in fact set some of these as your shell, or alternatively run a shell replacement like Blackbox or Geoshell. Or just a task launcher.Unfortunately most of the shell replacements out there just don't cut it, and I usually end up using explorer for my taskbar/systray.
Closed AccountOct 13, 2006
I know Explorer has keyboard shortcuts, but to use them for all tasks is AWKWARD.Expecially at the smaller companies I have worked at where EVERYTHING is on the network in complex network trees ( network tangles really ). Navigating up and down these trees with explorer is tiresome.Being able to link to director ( ln -s ) like you can linux would be a big helpEvery time I get a new job where I have to work on windows box I get the ms developers "powertoys" that lets me click on folder to get an msdos prompt in whatever directory I am using. I also install cygwin and set up a "bash this" option in my context menu to do something similar to the power toys. I also get a 3rd party tool that creates multiple desktops and puts the date in my task bar.
Closed AccountOct 13, 2006
"Windows Explorer, the default file manager for Microsoft Windows, hasn't really changed all that much over the years."Back when AT&T was the only phone company there was a saying "you can have any color phone you like as long as it is black".That is what you get when you have monopoly or near monopoly power. Competition not only spreads the money around, it make for innovations for the end user.
sailorOct 13, 2006
Powerdesk or Total commander should meet your needs...I used to use Norton Navigator but it was never my favorite.