Best Windows XP File Manager?

[Tweetie]

Everyone knows how to use Windows Explorer. But there are many replacement File Managers.

I'd like to select one. I think it's the best I've ever seen. Of course, this is purely subjective. So, the purpose of this thread is to invite anyone who has any thoughts on the subject to post them.

There is a freeware file manager called Xplorer2. It has many, many features which it claims are advantages over Windows Explorer. I will just tell you about the two I like best.

First, it offers dual-pane viewing. So you can select multiple files from one folder and move or copy them to another folder.

Second, it has a very nice filtering ability. So if you only want to see " .TXT " files or you want to perform an operation on just those files, you can do that.

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,23778,00.asp

[Bluvertigo]

ExplorerXP
is a very fast, small, compact and innovative freeware file manager for Windows 2000/XP. Unlike the regular Windows Explorer, it displays the total size of each folder and allows you to browse multiple folders from a tabbed interface.

http://www.explorerxp.com/

[Tweetie]

ExplorerXP
http://www.explorerxp.com/

Thanks BV,

Tabbed interface is looking mighty good.

I forgot to mention that 2Xplorer also has some interesting columns for the Detail View like you posted about for Win Explorer. One column tells you the size of a file - but if it's a folder it will tell you the size of all files under that folder.

Another column tells you the number of all files under a folder and another tells you the number of all folders under a folder - or they can be combined into the number of all files and folders (they call it "siblings").

I tried ExplorerXP and it is very nice. But you can tell the developer only did a fraction of the work on it than was done on 2Xplorer. I say that because it's only got about one quarter of the capabilities.

The two things I didn't like were ... first, it doesn't support dual pane. Second when you use a wildcard to select all ".TXT" files, it doesn't just show those in the display (which would be nice and clean). Instead, it draws these ugly blue lines through all text files indicating they are "selected". But if you have a lot of files, you wind up with multiple pages showing files. Maybe it's just a personal preference, but I strongly dislike that.

Overall, it has a nicer look than 2Xplorer. But it doesn't have as many capabilities. It's worth keeping though and trying it again on a rainy day.

[Tweetie]

After spending some more time with ExplorerXP, I see that you can drag panes around and simulate dual-pane (or triple-pane if you like). I don't see that it can be done quickly and easily. But perhaps there is a way to automate things such that it can be done quickly.

It sure does look nicer than any other File Manager I've seen so far.