dual pane Archives

Winsage

April 6, 2025

5 best dual-pane file managers for Windows power users

The default Windows File Explorer lacks multi-pane support, making file management cumbersome for users who frequently transfer files between folders or manage multiple drives. Dual-pane or multi-pane third-party file managers offer solutions by allowing users to view and manage multiple folders side by side within a single window. Total Commander is a veteran dual-pane file manager with built-in FTP support, fast file transfers, and comprehensive archive handling. Directory Opus is a premium file management solution with a dual-pane layout, tabbed navigation, and features like batch file operations and scripting capabilities. FreeCommander XE is a free dual-pane file manager that offers essential features such as tabbed browsing and folder synchronization. XYplorer is a portable dual-pane file manager designed for speed, featuring tabbed browsing and powerful search functions. Q-Dir, or Quad-Directory Explorer, allows for up to four panes in a single window and supports drag-and-drop functionality and color filters.

Winsage

February 18, 2025

5 features the Windows File Explorer needs if it’s ever going to be good

Windows 11's File Explorer is functional but has room for improvement compared to third-party file managers. Suggested enhancements include: - Tagging files with labels and colors for easier organization, similar to macOS's Finder. - Quick file preview capability that allows users to view file contents without opening applications, akin to macOS's Spacebar feature. - A more intuitive bulk renaming process that provides clear options for sequentially renaming files. - Automatic file sorting based on custom rules to streamline organization. - Dual-pane navigation to simplify file management across multiple folders. These features could significantly enhance the user experience and elevate File Explorer's functionality.

Winsage

December 2, 2024

The Windows File Explorer isn’t good enough — 5 file managers for power users

The native File Explorer in Windows 11 is perceived by users as lacking in speed and functionality, prompting interest in alternative file management applications. Notable alternatives include: - Files app: Features a modern design with Mica and Acrylic materials, dual-pane view for file transfers, and a compact overlay mode. - Total Commander: Offers a dual-pane view by default, customizable interface, FTP support, and file compression capabilities. - FreeCommander XE: Combines a dual-pane interface with enhanced readability, customizable menus, and additional tools for screenshots and file compression. - OneCommander: Balances modern design with functionality, featuring a dual-pane view, preview pane, color-coded file labels, and batch processing capabilities. - Directory Opus: Highly regarded for its efficiency, dual-pane layout, navigation tree, and extensive features including image conversion and customizable themes. These applications can potentially replace File Explorer and serve as default file managers, enhancing user productivity and file management experiences.

Winsage

August 9, 2024

This third-party file explorer beat Microsoft to the punch yet again

The third-party file explorer "Files" has released version 3.6, which enhances its dual pane mode by allowing panes to be displayed both horizontally and vertically. The update includes an "Actions" menu in the title bar, customization options for folder backgrounds, localization support for Malay, optimized sorting for large folders, a relocated sidebar toggle button, new keyboard shortcuts, support for clickable links in markdown previews, and an action to toggle the visibility of dot files. The update also addresses several issues, including fixing empty tab titles, sorting errors, display issues with the PowerShell window, unexpected Home Page launches, layout size changes, quick search filtering, theme inconsistencies, settings export format, sensitivity issues with renaming, cursor alignment problems, online file download issues, navigation button colors, argument passing for admin shortcuts, compression and extraction issues on ARM64 devices, startup warnings related to WSL, and various crashes.