Xplorer²: File Management and More
There is one computer utility that I use every day: xplorer². Xplorer² is a free (for the “lite” version) file management utility for Windows users. (Mac users don’t need it because they already have a perfect operating system.) After sufficient frustration with Windows Explorer, I tried many file management programs (in DOS-days, there was the wonderful Norton Commander) and I have found none better than xplorer².
I use it for finding files and, because it is a “dual-pane” explorer, copying and moving files is much easier than using the “single-pain” (no typo) Windows Explorer. I also use it to “load” or open a file. That is, if I want to open a PDF with Acrobat Reader, play an MP3 with Winamp, or edit a file in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel, I first find the file using xplorer² (which is much faster) and then press the enter key. If the application is already running, pressing enter will open the file in that application; if the application is not running, it will start the application and then open the file.
Tip: I have also created a Window directly of short-cuts for frequently accessed directories and files. I have one short-cut (called bookmarks) in xplorer² that takes me to the Windows short-cut directory. Once there I find the file or directory I want and press enter to either load the file or move to the frequently accessed directory.
Xplorer² has many other uses as well. See the overview which also has some demos.
There are two versions: The free, “lite” version and the full-featured $29.95 version. I used the free version for many years and continued to get the newer free versions as they were released. Finally, I came to see the value of the “extras” you get with the full version so I eventually bought it. See a comparison of the two version on the “lite” page.
You can also download the full version and use it for free for 30 days; after that, it will revert to the “lite” version. I suggest using the “lite” version to get a feel for it and then take a look full version to see if you think it is worth buying for the extras.
I have been able to get the upgrades of the full version for no additional cost for a couple of years now. (At some point, I’m sure there will be an additional charge to upgrade.)