Which file explorer do you use?

TheMystic · Dec 28, 2021

Hello community!

Despite 3rd party file managers being far more capable in terms of functionality, I tend to stick with the stock file explorer on both my Windows laptop as well as on my Mac.

I have never used (except for casual testing) 3rd party file explorer on Windows. On my Mac, I have purchased a couple of great file managers, although I use them only for specific tasks that Finder (the built-in file manager on Mac) can't perform (e.g. connecting to SFTP/ FTP server, etc.).

While I'm not sure why I have this preference to stick with the built-in file managers despite their limited functionality, I guess it probably is their simplicity.

Which file explorer do you use regularly and why?

DigitalGoat · Dec 28, 2021

File Explorer and Terminal (Command & PowerShell). Anything the Explorer GUI cannot do Terminal can.

Slavic · Dec 28, 2021

Total Commander, I am using it since Windows XP.

Edwin · Dec 28, 2021

QTTabBar.
Can't live without it!

barman58 · Dec 28, 2021

For general file management I find that Windows explorer is all that I need, However for more specific filetypes I rely on specialist File Database Management applications, For my Images I use Adobe Lightroom, for Music and Video I use Mediamonkey 5 Gold.

for example I automatically rename Image files by date from the internal Metadata in the file when Importing them - as this is done in reverse order [YYYY-MM-DD.HH-MM.SS.nn.Ext] it will automatically sort in order. these files can then be automatically added to collections that are based on other Metadata, or searched quickly within Lightroom including the descriptive metadata/keywords added by the camera or manually.

The-Hive · Dec 28, 2021

I use the Windows File Explorer, but I do have the ribbon restored.
I also have Shadow Explorer for backups after updates.

f23948 · Dec 28, 2021

Q-Dir 12.17 Download - The Quad Explorer

Download Q-Dir 12.17 Windows Freeware, the official download page for Q-Dir from the developer page! - The Quad Explorer

softwareok.com

Stigg · Dec 28, 2021

A long time Directory Opus user here.

Dru2 · Dec 28, 2021

TheMystic said:
Hello community!

Despite 3rd party file managers being far more capable in terms of functionality, I tend to stick with the stock file explorer on both my Windows laptop as well as on my Mac.

Windows Explorer. "Sometimes" Adobe Bridge for photos, but it's mostly Windows Explorer.

jerrypc1 · Dec 28, 2021

Dru2 said:
Windows Explorer. "Sometimes" Adobe Bridge for photos, but it's mostly Windows Explorer.

Windows explorer for me also

idgat · Dec 28, 2021

Xplorer2 - registered/paid version on main computer and Lite (freeware) version on others

(Not much more in paid version that I need cf. Lite version anyway)

dgwin11 · Dec 28, 2021

1.Q-Dir (free).

2.Directory Opus Pro Edition (Paid).

3.Windows Explorer (built-in).

4.ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 (paid).

Depend on file type I using above.

jaree1961 · Dec 28, 2021

The built in Windows File Explorer.
It covers all my needs, so there is no point adding a 3rd party application.

Stigg · Dec 28, 2021

As I said, I use Directory Opus. But regardless of which one you prefer, once you've discovered how productive a tabbed file manager is, you'll find it very hard to go back to an unproductive single pane, single tab file manager.

And while we're on this topic, I am puzzled as to why Microsoft hasn't moved to a tabbed file manager in Windows.
Windows 11 includes all the non-productive nonsense that people are scrambling to reverse, but they couldn't couldn't look over the horizon and include something useful like a tabbed file manager. Third party ones have been around for decades.

jbcarreon123 · Dec 28, 2021

1 Windows Explorer [built to Windows]
2 CMD/PowerShell [built to Windows]

I'm using it because it can filter so much easier than Windows Search, and I can Export it to an file.

clam1952 · Dec 28, 2021

Windows File Explorer and Explorer++ and occasionally FreeComander.

Edwin · Dec 28, 2021

Stigg said:
I am puzzled as to why Microsoft hasn't moved to a tabbed file manager in Windows.

They tried with Sets but I think Stardock tried to sue their a$$ over it! It's just hearsay but I betcha they did!

idgat · Dec 28, 2021

jaree1961 said:
The built in Windows File Explorer.
It covers all my needs, so there is no point adding a 3rd party application.

Some users may see a valid need for 3rd party software, so saying there's no point is patently wrong!

Hollywood · Dec 28, 2021

Back in the DOS days I liked Xtree. Someone made a Windows version called Ztree which I bought and used for several years, then he reneged on his lifetime upgrade agreement. I since found the built in Explorer does most of my needs. Bulk ReNaming is the only thing I do outside Explorer. Renaming is easy with most picture viewers or I use ReNamer Lite 7.2.

jaree1961 · Dec 28, 2021

idgat said:
Some users may see a valid need for 3rd party software, so saying there's no point is patently wrong!

Who was talking about anyone else, not me.
Read WHAT I said:-
"It covers all my needs, so there is no point adding a 3rd party application."
Why would I add something I have no use for?

Which file explorer do you use?

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