Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement

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  1. Alan Milewczyk
    Posts : 1
    Windows 10 Home
       New #1

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement


    I've been around since Windows 3.1 days and used the standard file/windows explorer, but getting frustrated by the limitations in Windows 10. Right now I have a mixed network, mainly Windows 7 Ultimate PCs plus a Windows 10 Home Laptop, plus a Linux Mint and a Linux based NAS.

    I like the facility available since Windows 7 days which allows you define the attributes visible by the file folder type - as I mainly do work with audio, video and picture files, it's really useful to define different viewable details for video folders than for pictures or music, etc etc. It's essential that the file manager replacement enables me to define the folder type in the same way that Windows 7+ does and enable full customisation of visible fields. I've read countless reviews of file manager alternatives but none seem to mention this aspect (unless I've missed it!).

    Most times I am viewing in "detail" layout. My photos are mainly in Canon RAW format (.CR2 and .CRW) and under Windows 7 using the Microsoft Camera Codec pack I could switch to thumbnail view to preview the files - this is no longer possible under Windows 10. It is essential that the file manager replacement has the ability to view CR2/CRW files as well as JPGs.

    Just wondering if I could draw on the collective experience in this forum please? Any suitable recommendations, please?

    Many thanks.

    Alan
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  3. Callender
    Posts : 6,837
    22H2 64 Bit Pro
       New #2

    Using Explorer as an image viewer doesn't work too well. Instead of replacing Explorer try a dedicated image viewer;

    WildBit Viewer

    Try the portable version for testing.

    WildBit Software

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-wildbit.jpg

    Dedicated thumbnail cache gets around the slow loading thumbnails problem.

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-wildbit-options.jpg

    Or try Irfanview+Plugins for video support as well as images.

    IrfanView - Official Homepage - one of the most popular viewers worldwide
    Last edited by Callender; 06 Jan 2018 at 22:12. Reason: add image
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  4. Callender
    Posts : 6,837
    22H2 64 Bit Pro
       New #3

    Just a note to say that if you want to play video formats (.mp4 etc) in Irfanview then you will need to install LAV Filters from here:

    LAV Filters 0.70.2 / 0.70.2-83 Nightly Download - VideoHelp

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-lav-filters-0.70.2-download.jpg
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  6. Edwin
    Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       New #4

    Hello @Alan Milewczyk, welcome to tenforums! :)

    QTTabBar may be what you're looking for.

    QTTabBar extends Explorer by tabs and extra folder views and so much more.

    Highly customize-able, tons of features!

    Mouse Hover for images:

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-000084.png

    Live Mouse Hover for audio and video:

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-000080.pngLooking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-000081.png

    Mouse Hover for many text files:
    (Notepad should read 'You can continue typing while hovering another file for info...')

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-000088.png

    You can also hover preview items from a parent folder drop down list, or by right clicking on a Tab:

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-000082.pngLooking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-000083.png

    With a simple tap of the period button on the Numerical Keypad, open a slideshow or audio/video Playlist in the current monitor or another fixed monitor:

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-000087.png

    You can also set 'Show Column Header Always' no matter the folder view:

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-000085.png

    These examples are from Windows 7 with MS Codec Pack for raw files, (.crw, .cr2, .tiff, etc.); I do have QTTabBar on W10 as well but not the Codec Pack. I'm sure it would work on W10 as well.
    I find this application indispensable! Might be worth your while to check it out.
    Last edited by Edwin; 08 Jan 2018 at 15:53.
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  7. mb1280
    Posts : 87
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       New #5

    xplorer^2 free lite - try the free version . . . xplorer² lite: free windows explorer replacement (file manager)
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  8. Edwin
    Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       New #6

    xplorer² lite

    (just wondering why the Alt fonts in the previous post look buggered up to me!)

    Anyone see anything different?
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  9. Josey Wales
    Posts : 26,445
    Windows 11 Pro 22631.3447
       New #7

    Edwin said:
    xplorer² lite

    (just wondering why the Alt fonts in the previous post look buggered up to me!)

    Anyone see anything different?
    Probably a forum bug, some links end up like that.
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  10. Callender
    Posts : 6,837
    22H2 64 Bit Pro
       New #8

    Edwin said:
    xplorer² lite
    (just wondering why the Alt fonts in the previous post look buggered up to me!)
    Anyone see anything different?
    Post it like this:
    It appears to be a trial version.

    If anyone wants the old version (no expiry) - send me a pm
    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-xyplorer.jpg

    Looking for a File/Windows Explorer replacement-xyplorer-free.jpg
    Last edited by Callender; 08 Jan 2018 at 19:43. Reason: add image
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  12. Stu49
    Posts : 3
    Win10
       New #9

    I would like the older ver. pls !! but unable to PM you !? Stu :)
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  13. mb1280
    Posts : 87
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       New #10

    The free version of

    xplorer^2 free lite

    has a pop-up once a month or so, but it's not that annoying, and you can keep using it.

    This is a nice feature, how to browse two similar folders at once:

    xplorer^2 free lite - Mirror Browsing demo . . . http://www.zabkat.com/blog/wink/sync1.htm
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