File management in Windows (browsing, viewing, copying, deleting files etc) is an area where Windows Explorer is not sufficient for many people. Explorer lacks several functions such as a tabbed interface and multiple panes for organizing files easily, quick file viewing, sorting folders by folder size, enhanced archive management, multiple file renaming, to name a few. One of the major shortcomings is Explorer’s tendency to stop ongoing file operations if one of the files is locked or not available because of security settings, which makes it unclear which files where copied and which were not.
There are several freeware file managers that address this gap in Windows’ file management functionality. We looked at 15 of these and found 7 had many of the advanced features we were looking for. This post will compare the following program across several criteria: FreeCommander, Master Commander, Nexus File, Q-Dir, SE-Explorer, UltraExplorer, and Xplorer2 Lite.
[Editor’s note: this post was written by Freewaregenius contributor Priit L.]
What are the criteria to evaluate a file manager? What is important? There are as many opinions as there are people. In this article we tried to compare these programs across several criteria that we thought to be important, although at times felt like we had to make a comparison work that was akin to comparing an apple and an orange, which was a hard job. So, we apologize if you feel that your favorite file manager has been unfairly evaluated.
In this comparison the criteria are:
- The user interface: it must be simultaneously intuitive, powerful enough and not too cluttered. Tabs and breadcrumbs are modern addition to the interface that can improve usability. We also considered the option to open multiple folders in different tabs and to drag-and-drop files or compare the contents of several folders.
- File operations: lot of file managers use Windows’ built-in file operations which will stop on encountering the first problem. The best file managers have the ability to pause/resume operations for time-consuming transfers, to display the transfer rate and estimated time to completion. Often they also have enhanced support for skipping/overwriting files, like ‘skip all’/'overwrite all’/'overwrite all older’ etc. If some of the selected files are locked or inaccessible they can be skipped and the copying/moving of other files will be resumed.
- Additional features: many programs have advanced features that make life easier such as:
- Multi rename tool – ability to rename multiple files using patterns. Like rename all selected files like ‘IMG_0203.JPG’ to ‘Toms_Birthday_Picture_3.jpg’.
- Merge/split – Split big files for sending them by e-mail or burning to optical disks and afterwards joining them back again.
- Show folder size, sort by folder size – allows to sort folders by size of the contents. NB! Use with care, as this can be time-consuming for big folders like ‘WINDOWS’ etc.
- Copy file name/info as text – also can be used for creating directory listings.
- ‘Copy To’/'Move To’ buttons – similar function that to some other small ‘gadget’-programs offer.
- Favorites/Quick Launch/Drop Stack etc – ability to mark several folders You use often or You need to perform some operations.
Also worth mentioning while dealing with Windows file managers is the Norton Commander legacy. Most computer users today may be unaware of the time before Windows when all file operations were carried on the DOS command prompt. Norton Commander (abbreviation NC) was the most popular file manager at the time and the two-paned interface and keyboard shortcuts it introduced are still used on many Windows file managers. We gave points to the programs that can be configured using either Windows Explorer style operation or Norton Commander style operation for the fans of both interfaces. Probably the most popular Norton Commander clone is Total Commander (shareware).
After evaluating 15 freeware programs seven of them were chosen for detailed consideration. In alphabetical order these programs are: FreeCommander, Master Commander, NexusFile, Q-Dir, SE-Explorer, UltraExplorer and xplorer2 lite. The following programs were also evaluated but got a lower score than the first seven: a43, AltCommander, CubicExplorer, ExplorerXP, FileAnt, JExplorer, Pablo Commander and Snowbird.
The Evaluation
The User Interface
In this section the quality and usability of the user interface is evaluated.
#1: FreeCommander
Norton Commander (NC) clone with tabs. Two panes, NC-like vertical split or horizontal split. Cannot switch to one pane. Select files in Windows Explorer mode or NC mode. NC legacy key shortcuts. Folder sizes can be shown (manual or automatic), folders can be sorted by size. Intuitive quick filtering.
- Tabs: Yes, multiple tabs can be opened
- Panes: Yes
- Favorites: Yes
- Score: 5/5
Powerful yet simple interface, not too cluttered. Very configurable.
#2 Master Commander
Norton Commander style interface with 2 panes, several tabs can be opened on each pane. Most similar to Total Commander (shareware) by interface and richness of functionality.
- Tabs: Yes
- Panes: Yes, two panes arranged vertically or horizontally
- Favorites: Yes
- Score: 4/5
#3: NexusFile
Interface with two vertical panes, switchable to Windows Explorer style one pane interface. Tabs and breadcrumb paths. Different file/folder selection style – click left to the file name to select, click another time to deselect. Or select by Spacebar.
- Tabs: Yes
- Panes: Yes, one or two panes
- Favorites: Yes
- Score: 5/5
Intuitive uncluttered interface with ‘breadcrumb’ paths. Support skins, the default one is ‘terminal’ type light text on black background.
#4: Q-Dir
Flexible interface with panes and tabs. There are 12 buttons with preconfigurations – from 2 to 4 panes, split vertical and horizontal etc. The big folder tree can be shown/hidden and also there is a button to show tree for each pane. Address bar can be shown as breadcrumb (Extras/Address bar/Modern style).
- Tabs: Yes
- Panes: Yes, easily switched between different configurations
- Favorites: Yes
- Score: 5/5
The first start after installation, displaying 4 panes can be a bit frightening but You can switch to a view that has less details.
#5: SE-Explorer
The program has different tabs with different modules. The ‘File Manager’ tab has Norton Commander style two-pane interface and NC style keyboard commands. Select files with ‘Insert’ key, Shift/left-click does not work. (see left screenshot below)
The ‘File Explorer’ tab has Windows Explorer style interface, Windows classical selection by mouse, also Ctrl/Shift keys can be used to change the mouse-click action (see right screenshot above).
- Tabs: Tabs are only for different program modules, not for folders
- Panes: Only for different modules
- Favorites: No
- Score: 3.5/5
#6: UltraExplorer
Powerful and configurable Windows Explorer like interface with tabs and optional second pane. Breadcrumb paths and Mac style ‘Column view’ folders available.
Folder size calculation by clicking appropriate button or automatically (configurable). ‘Flatten folder’ view to see all files in the subfolders.
- Tabs: Yes
- Panes: Yes
- Favorites: Yes
- Score: 5/5
#7: xplorer2 lite
Single or dual pane interface, divided vertically or horizontally. Windows style file selection. Many useful functions but many more are only available in the commercial version.
- Tabs: Yes. By default Excel style tabs on the bottom of a pane but this can be configured.
- Panes: Yes, one or two, vertical or horizontal split.
- Favorites: Yes, called Bookmarks
- Score: 5/5
Simple uncluttered interface, well configurable. Unfortunately, so many useful functions are disabled in the free version.
File operations
In this section we evaluate how the file managers perform file operations like copying, moving and deleting. The problem with Windows Explorer is that it stops the operation when one of the files is locked or unavailable and you never know which files were successfully copied and which ones were not. In worst cases it will result in the loss of files when the user thinks that the files are copied when actually they were not. The best file managers have their own custom built file handling with ‘resume on error’ and ‘pause/resume’ support.
| File manager | Archiving/file compression | Score |
|---|---|---|
| #1: FreeCommander | Uses Windows built-in file operations with all the above-mentioned shortcomings | 0/5 |
| #2: Master Commander | Advanced custom file operations. There is 'Resume on error' functionality, You can select 'Skip' or 'Skip all' to continue copying if some files are locked or You have no rights to copy etc. If target file exist on copying the possible actions are ‘Overwrite/Overwrite all/Overwrite all older/Skip/Skip all/Change name/Append’. There is also ‘Pause/Resume’ option on time-consuming file operations. | 5/5 |
| #3: NexusFile | Advanced file handling. It can resume copying other files if one of the files is locked etc. ‘Overwrite/Skip/Overwrite newer/Rename’ support on copying if the file already exists in the target folder. | 5/5 |
| #4: Q-Dir | Uses Windows built-in file operations | 0/5 |
| #5: SE-Explorer | Custom file handling, but still no 'resume on error' support. Copying/moving files will go on if some of the files are locked but the result is a message like 'Copy 7 items... Operation failed with 1 errors'. No information, which one of the 7 files was not copied. | 2/5 |
| #6: UltraExplorer | Uses Windows built-in file operations | 0/5 |
| #7: xplorer2 lite |
Archiving/file compression
Most of the advanced file managers have built-in packers that allow to treat archive files like folders, copy/drag-drop files out of the archive, modify the contents of an archive file etc.
| File manager | Archiving/file compression | Score |
|---|---|---|
| #1: FreeCommander | Full handling of compressed files: create and open; list the contents; extract all or individually selected files or folders; add or remove files to/from the archive. | 5/5 |
| #2: Master Commander | ||
| #3: NexusFile | ||
| #4: Q-Dir | ||
| #5: SE-Explorer | Limited functionality. Archives can be viewed in View module and there is 'Extract All' option and 'Extract selected file' option to extract only one file. | 4/5 |
| #6: UltraExplorer | Internal archive function seems to have issues – it seems to be not possible to add a folder to existing archive or extract a single folder from an archive. | 3/5 |
| #7: xplorer2 lite | Full handling of compressed files: create and open; list the contents; extract all or individually selected files or folders; add or remove files to/from the archive. | 5/5 |
FTP
Most of the evaluated file managers have ability to work with FTP servers – list files and folders, download and upload files. Once it was considered very important functionality, but now FTP usage in general has been decreased and many programs have their own FTP clients like webpage creators, image managers etc.
| File manager | FTP handling | Score |
|---|---|---|
| #1: FreeCommander | Built-in FTP functionality with configurable Total Commander style FTP site manager | 5/5 |
| #2: Master Commander | ||
| #3: NexusFile | ||
| #4: Q-Dir | Uses Microsoft IE module for FTP, type the URL to the file manager's address box. FTP site can be added to favorites. ‘ftp://user:password@ftp.microsoft.com’ URL syntax can be used for password protected sites | 4/5 |
| #5: SE-Explorer | Use Web Browser module for FTP, but the FTP support is limited. | 1/5 |
| #6: UltraExplorer | Had problems with connecting to FTP - entering the URL to address bar the program could not list any files or folders on the server. | 1/5 |
| #7: xplorer2 lite | Uses Microsoft IE module for FTP, type the URL to the file manager's address box. FTP site can be added to favorites. ‘ftp://user:password@ftp.microsoft.com’ URL syntax can be used for password protected sites | 4/5 |
File viewers
An important feature for a file manager is the ability to view the contents of different files like text, image and video. The best file managers can open the files and also preview the contents inside the interface, without opening another programs.
| File manager | File viewers |
|---|---|
| #1: FreeCommander | Viewer for several file types like text/hex/image/video/webpage. |
| #2: Master Commander | Built-in viewer/editor named Multi-Editor. It is used to view/edit text files, display image, video files and more. |
| #3: NexusFile | No built-in viewer. Windows Notepad is used to display the contents of a file. |
| #4: Q-Dir | Shows image files. |
| #5: SE-Explorer | Viewer for images, audio, video, flash, document, binary, font etc. |
| #6: UltraExplorer | Shows text, binary, image, video and web files. |
| #7: xplorer2 lite | Viewer for different files like image, video, text etc. |
Quick view in UltraExplorer  | Quick view in Xplorer2 Lite  |
Portability
Portable versions can be used on removable media like USB flash drives, without needing to install the program to all the computers You would like to use it. This option is especially handy for people who like to use their favorite tool on several computers.
- All seven provide portable and installer versions.
Interesting features
Some of the evaluated programs had special features worth mentioning:
#1: FreeCommander
- Wipe File option.
#2 Master Commander- Wipe file function.
- Create ISO.
- Encrypt/Decrypt.
- Split/Join files.
- Digital signature, checksum, code page conversion functions.
- Process viewer
#3: NexusFile
- WhatIsThisFile function – opens http://ext.xiles.net for the selected file type
- CreateShorcutOnDesktop/CreateShorcutOnQuickLaunch functions
#4: Q-Dir
- Export function to create directory listing in TXT, CSV, HTML, XLS or DOC format.
- Screen magnifier.
#5: SE-Explorer - Disk/folder/file size scan, with top largest files output etc.
- Resource view (like icons contained in EXE and DLL files).
- Search files function by resources contained in them.
- DLL inspector.
- Text file compare, showing differences in files line-by-line.
#6: UltraExplorer - Mac style ‘Column mode’ view with folders in columns and current file info on the last column.
- ‘Flatten folder’ view to see all files in the subfolders
- A “file basket” where users can virtually ‘park’ items to perform operations on later.
#7: xplorer2 lite
- File shredder
Strengths and weaknesses, summary
As the previous chapter shows, different programs have different emphasis. Some of the file managers with good interface lack even essential functionality. Some of them do not have very flexible and usable interface but a lot of extra features. In this chapter we bring out the positive and negative of all the evaluated programs.
| File manager | Strengths | Weaknesses | Overall score |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1: FreeCommander | Powerful yet simple interface, not too cluttered. Intuitive quick filtering. Very configurable. * Useful tools for advanced users like shortcuts to big list of system folders, execute Command Prompt and Windows configuration tools | Uses Windows built-in file operations without ‘resume on error’ functionality | 4/5 |
| #2: Master Commander | Most similar to Total Commander by interface and strong functionality. Custom-built file operations with ‘resume on error’ and ‘pause’. | No way of switching to one pane view? | 5/5 *** Editor’s choice! *** |
| #3: NexusFile | Intuitive uncluttered interface with ‘breadcrumb’ paths. File operations with ‘resume on error’ ability. Sufficient functionality. | No custom viewer? Cannot sort folders by size? Select/deselect a file with mouse-click seems sluggish? Internal archive function seems to have issues – the editor could not add a folder to existing archive nor extract a single folder from an archive. | 4/5 |
| #4: Q-Dir | Intuitive simple and flexibly configurable interface; small and portable | Lack of some useful functionalities like viewer for wider range of files, quick-view in another pane, compare directories etc. | 4/5 |
| #5: SE-Explorer | Contains both simple NC style interface and NC keyboard shortcuts for NC legacy fans and Windows Explorer style interface for others. * Good functions for advanced users like file compare, HEX, DLL, XML, resource view etc. | The file manager with the most ‘BUT’-s – lot of unexpected behavior and functionality. * The program modules seem to be more like several loose independent programs put together in one shell. There is not enough direct communication between program modules. | 3.5/5 |
| #6: UltraExplorer | Powerful configurable multithreaded interface | No custom file operations with ‘resume on error’ and ‘pause/resume’ functionality | 4/5 |
| #7: xplorer2 lite | Simple uncluttered interface, well configurable. | Many handy options are disabled in the lite version. No custom file operations with ‘resume on error’ functionality. | 4/5 |
Master Commander receives a perfect overall score: 5/5 *** Editor’s choice! ***
Word of conclusion
The best in this comparison – Master Commander – appeared to be from the Norton/Total Commander legacy. However, picking the best Windows Explorer style file manager from these seven is harder to do. The two candidates Q-Dir and UltraExplorer both have some major drawbacks. Q-Dir lacks functionality like a powerful viewer, directory comparisons etc. UltraExplorer has no custom file handling with ‘resume on error’ and ‘pause/resume’ support. With reservation we can say that the best Windows Explorer style file manager in this comparison is Q-Dir because the development of UltraExplorer seems to be discontinued, and therefore the lacking functionality will probably not be added in the future.
Again, probably some of you, friends, may disagree with some scores and the weights of the evaluation criteria. Some criteria like ‘intuitiveness’ and ‘clutter’ are very individual and can absolutely not be evaluated without being subjective. Also the emphasis on the need for custom enhanced file operations with ‘resume on error’ and ‘pause/resume’ support can be argued. You could argue that one can use programs like SuperCopier or TeraCopy to enhance the file operations. Similarly one can install other gadgets giving functionality of CopyTo, MoveTo, ‘create folder listing’, ‘Pack to archive’, ‘Extract …’ etc to the right-click. The problem with this solution is that You install several different system utilities from several different creators and each one is potential source of errors and system instability. The more elegant (and secure) option is to have one file manager from one creator that provides all this functionality as one entity.
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