file preview Archives

Winsage

May 11, 2025

5 reasons I use File Pilot to manage my files on Windows

Microsoft's File Explorer for Windows 11 is considered adequate but lacks certain features, leading users to seek alternatives like File Pilot, which is currently in beta and expected to have a paid release later this year. File Pilot allows users to adjust file views with a slider for seamless transitions and enhances usability by enabling real-time customization. It offers advanced file preview capabilities, particularly for images and TXT files, and features a command bar for quick navigation and access to various functions. The split view feature allows users to create multiple customizable panels for better organization. File Pilot is lightweight, with a download size of 1.8MB, and provides rapid performance, making it effective for managing large sets of files.

Winsage

February 26, 2025

7 things your file manager should be able to do that File Explorer and Finder can’t

Extensive exploration of file managers for Windows and macOS reveals significant shortcomings in the native solutions provided by Microsoft and Apple. Users are missing features that could enhance file management, including: - A recent folders list that updates in real-time, unlike Windows File Explorer, which updates slowly. - Quick file previews, with Finder allowing previews of nearly any file type, while File Explorer's Preview pane is limited. - A built-in duplicate finder, which neither File Explorer nor Finder currently offers. - More user-friendly bulk file renaming in Finder compared to the cumbersome process in File Explorer. - Customizable toolbars in alternative file managers, improving accessibility and workflow efficiency. - A quick jump bar for swift navigation, which is more immediate in applications like File Pilot than in File Explorer. - A dual-pane view for easier file transfers and comparisons, absent in both Windows and macOS. These features highlight the potential for improved file management solutions beyond the built-in tools.

Winsage

February 23, 2025

I tried QuickLook for Windows, and now I can’t live without it

QuickLook is an application for Windows that replicates a macOS feature allowing users to preview files by selecting them and pressing the space bar. It streamlines the process of reviewing documents, images, and media files without opening each one individually. Users can download QuickLook from the Microsoft Store, and it operates system-wide, including in Open/Save dialog boxes. The app supports a wide range of file types for previewing, excluding executable files, and allows for basic modifications, such as editing text in Word documents and cropping images. QuickLook can significantly reduce the time spent on routine tasks, enabling users to accomplish actions more quickly. Additionally, it supports plugins for specialized file types and can be set to launch automatically at startup.