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I cannot find a Windows Explorer alternative that has full-tree view functionality like Path Finder on the Mac

This is the type of view I am looking for (screenshot of Path Finder on Mac): enter image description here

By full-tree I mean: A tree view that includes files in addition to folders-- and the folders can be expanded to their full depth. All the apps listed below simply stick a folder tree (does not include files) next to a file list (does not include expandable folders). I work with Ruby on Rails a lot, which like any MVC relies heavily on folders for organization. I want to be able to pop open folders in the tree and have them stay open as I work between them (see the screenshot above).

I have tried:

  • xplorer2
  • XYplorer
  • Nexus File
  • Free Commander
  • muCommander
  • CubicExplorer
  • Double Commander
  • Q-Dir
  • Explorer++
  • Unreal Commander
  • wxCommander
  • Power Desk
  • Directory Opus

This is what I am NOT looking for, but unfortunately all the apps I have found do this: enter image description here

Has anyone seen a Windows Explorer-type app that has a full-tree view? I can't believe such a simple feature is so hard to find!

Thanks

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3  
I guess it is so hard to find, since you've named every app I've ever tried or seen and then some. – Shinrai Apr 4 '12 at 16:43
Kinda young but Saladin is dual pane and full tree. Doesn't seem to be full tree however (doesn't show multiple levels from what I can see) saladin.mimec.org – Brian Apr 4 '12 at 17:40
2  
KDE Dolphin (native) and GNOME Nautilus (via cygwin). – grawity Apr 4 '12 at 20:31

7 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

SherloXplorer, an open source plugin for notepad++ has full tree view. I was looking for a full tree view solution like sherloXplorer for windows 7 but standalone but couldn't find one.

If you stretched the side panel out over the text panel and pulled up another explorer window next to it in notepad++ it might meet your needs. It seems to use the windows explorer file shell so you can do all the operations on a file that you can in your windows explorer like svn, custom zip etc.

Very impressive for a little open source file.

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up vote 5 down vote

Looks like KDE Dolphin comes close. Have to click on the directory carets to expand the tree however since clicking the directory name shows just the contents of that directory. Download using link provided grawity in the comments to the original question.

KDE Dolphin

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About the closest I can suggest is Dolphin. The screen shot above shows dual pane, but Dolphin also supports multiple tabs which I use a lot (on Linux). You can't see everything at once (or easily drag and drop to a tab that's not visible), but you can have as many places as you want and have each positioned and displayed the way you want it. – Joe Apr 9 '12 at 20:51
This could be the closest thing out there-- still waiting to see if anyone can find a native windows app – samJL Apr 10 '12 at 1:41
up vote 1 down vote

PowerGrep's file browser does, I believe, exactly what the OP is looking for (files and folders in a single tree, with selective opening of individual branches). Technically it's not an Explorer replacement, but it has quite a good deal of functionality. Indeed, if the main goal of the OP is to be able to view the file structure in said mode, then PowerGrep's file selector would fit the bill.

Here's a screenshot:

enter image description here

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1  
Note: frustratingly, SuperUser does not allow me to post images directly into the post because this is my first SuperUser post (and this, even though I've already generated plenty of points as a StackOverflow user; but that's a meta discussion). In any case, if any privileged users out there would be willing to edit the graphic into the post itself, I'd be grateful. – Avi Shmidman Oct 14 '12 at 22:15
I've embedded the image. By the way, once one of your StackExchange accounts breaks the 200 rep barrier, you'll get a 100 point association bonus on each new SE site you register on. – Indrek Oct 14 '12 at 22:26
@Indrek - Thanks for the help and the tip – Avi Shmidman Oct 15 '12 at 2:31
up vote 0 down vote

tree /F from the command line:

enter image description here

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This shows the tree, but doesn't let you manage it in any way as the OP requires. – Joe Apr 9 '12 at 20:43
up vote 0 down vote

Directory Opus will expand all folders by choosing the menu option View -> Details, followed by View -> Flat View -> Grouped.

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This gives me the option to expand all of the folders at once, you can't open and close individual branches (folders) -- and it opens all folders to full depth at the outset, which takes a long time to load and makes navigation more difficult. Close but still no cigar – samJL Apr 10 '12 at 22:37
up vote 0 down vote

What about Total Commander?

Total Commander

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The folder tree doesn't show files in the tree itself – samJL Apr 12 '12 at 15:04
up vote -1 down vote

As of April 2012 there is apparently no known explorer-type software (native to windows) that supports a full-tree view. Maybe one of the applications mentioned can add this feature in the future.

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1  
Not sure why the KDE applications ported to Windows aren't considered native. The KDE framework/libraries have always been cross platform. – Brian Apr 16 '12 at 2:29

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