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I am looking for an alternative file manager to replace my native Windows 7 file manager. Does this file manager exist:

  • lightweight
  • offering thumbnails option in all folders
  • if possible bi-pane
  • allowing to open folder shortcuts from the Windows desktop and taskbar
  • drag and drop between all folders and applications

I have looked at a few, but none seems to fit the bill so far.

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And which ones did you look at exactly? What's the point of getting the same responses again? – slhck Oct 18 '11 at 17:19
Total Commander? – grawity Oct 18 '11 at 17:46
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closed as not constructive by grawity, afrazier, Gareth, Nifle, Diago Oct 19 '11 at 11:35

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4 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

I personally like xplorer^2

  • bi-pane/tabbed interface with file tree in 3rd pane
  • incorporates into explorer
  • multiple view types, including thumbnails
  • easy access to system folders
  • drag and drop friendly
  • optional preview pane
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seconded. I use it all the time. There's a free version that lacks some features (most notably the file transfer window and queue). – Chris Thompson Oct 18 '11 at 23:31
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up vote 1 down vote

You can try FreeCommander:

  • Dual-panel technology - horizontal and vertical
  • Tabbed interface
  • Optional tree view for each panel
  • Built in file viewer to view files in hex, binary, text or image format
  • File viewer inside archives too
  • Built in archive handling: ZIP (read, write), CAB (read, write), RAR (read)
  • Nested archive handling
  • Built in FTP client
  • Easy access to system folders, control panel, desktop and start menu
  • Copy, move, delete, rename files and folders
  • Multi rename tool
  • Wipe files
  • Create and verify MD5 checksums
  • File splitting
  • File properties and context menu
  • Calculation of folder size
  • Folder comparison / synchronization
  • Modification of file date and attributes
  • Folder / program favorites
  • File searching (inside archive too)
  • File filters for display
  • User defined columns for detailed view
  • DOS command line
  • Multiple language support

It has the others features you've asked for, too, and weights 4 MiB installed.

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Thanks. Downloading. I haven't tried that one yet. So far, I have tried half a dozen others and the main problem is thumbnails or the ability to open shortcuts from Windows desktop and taskbar. – Kernelski Oct 18 '11 at 19:46
FreeCommander seems to be the answer! Although it can't open files from the windows desktop and taskbar, and it still has some small flaws. A problem I had was quickly addressed in their forum. 1000 times better than the Windows 7 file manager anyway. – Kernelski Oct 19 '11 at 11:04
@Kernelski You should select kAlug's answer as the right one (if it solved your problem) or at the very least post this as a comment if it isn't quite the answer, rather than posting this as an answer. – Journeyman Geek Oct 19 '11 at 11:22
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up vote 1 down vote

If you want to go old school, FAR Manager. It's a great text-based file manager with lots of features and plugins. If you ever used Norton Commander, this is that, but for Windows. It's completely free.

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Thanks. That's a little too old school for me... – Kernelski Oct 19 '11 at 10:56
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up vote 0 down vote

I've switched file managers quite a bit in the last few years and I found this site to help a lot:

http://alternativeto.net/software/total-commander/?platform=windows&license=free

I'm on nomad right now, it's pretty good but has a couple bugs.

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Thanks. I had tried that one, but our brains seem incompatible. – Kernelski Oct 19 '11 at 10:58
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