Anyone have good suggestion for a substitute/replacement for Windows Explorer? Preferably freeware?
Substitute for Windows Explorer Needed
(17 posts) (11 voices)-
Dawn,
John said "Windows" Explorer. The browser is "Internet" Explorer. "Windows" explorer is the file manager. It's such a basic part of Windows that I don't think it can be done away with. You might find other products that do similar but Explorer is so connected to all the different pieces of Windows and if it crashes, you have to reboot. You HAVE to have that running!
Diane
Posted 14 years ago # -
Quantum Dragon
MemberHi JohnC,
After trying many alternatives, I have been using Q-Dir for a while now.
It can show up to four panes to work with and it has now added to my personal arsenal of useful applications on my computer and on a USB stick (Yes, there is a portable version).
It is freeware, is updated quite often and (most important to me) is not bloatware (it's only 300K).
Look @ some Screenshots.
You can check the help file.
Here is the Download page for ALL versions (Note: I use the Unicode versions)
Hope this helps
Quantum Dragon AKA Paul
Posted 14 years ago # -
davee
MemberAccelman (http://www.flexigensoft.com/accelman), UltraExplorer (http://www.mustangpeak.net/ultraexplorer.html), FreeCommander (http://www.freecommander.com/), and Xplorer 2 Lite (http://zabkat.com/x2lite.htm) are other freeware alternatives worth looking at.
Posted 14 years ago # -
NolafromNZ
MemberI'm using Shelless Explorer which was a GOTD giveaway a short while ago. I have set it up to totally replace Windows Explorer because Windows Explorer kept crashing on me, and I haven't had a single crash since Shelless took over. It was nothing to have to reboot 3 times a day, often more.
I was interested in the screenshots of Q-Dir Quantum Dragon, although it looked a little "busy" for me. I only use the vertical screen panes on Shelless. Can Q-Dir be made less "busy" than those screens appear? (If I had to restore in the future, I would evaluate freeware against purchasing Shelless).
I have also taken a note of your freeware options, Davee, Do you have a favourite?
Posted 14 years ago # -
Quantum Dragon
Member@ NolafromNZ
Although four box-like panes is the standard on first opening, Q-Dir can also be made to show one pane, two panes (both in vertical and horizontal orientation), 3 panes (in six different configurations) and modified 4 panes (vertical and horizontal orientation)
Posted 14 years ago # -
cimmind
MemberIt was a breeze installing Q-Dir, and its quite light on resources too. But i faced one problem. If its meant to be an alternative for Win Explorer, then it means i should be able to do without running "explorer.exe". But if i do that, i lose out the entire Taskbar, all the Desktop icons and the Start Menu!
Is there any solution/alternative to this in Q-Dir?Posted 14 years ago # -
Quantum Dragon
Member@ JohnC:
I'm glad you like it, glad to have helped
@ Dawn, Dragonlair and cimmind:
Welcome to the great Microsoft Confusion Game, nowadays they like to call many of their Windows applications "Explorer" like they used to call many things "manager" in the old Win 3.X days.
Just let me try to make it clearer for you, there is Internet Explorer (executable name is iexplore.exe) then there is the Windows Explorer (this is the most confusing) that bears the executable name "explorer.exe" and diverse others with the name of the executable being "dexplore.exe" ( I found two of them in my system ).
iexplore.exe is easy to categorize, it's the name of the internet browser.
dexplore.exe is more obscure as on my system, it refers to two Document Explorer help file functions that point to Visual Studio.
explorer.exe is the leader in misconceptions as it refers to @ least two very different parts of windows.Let's go back a bit (recap) to learn what Windows (really) is!
Many think Windows is only an Operating System (OS) and while it is mostly (technicaly) true, Windows is more of a shell designed to hide the REAL engine underneath (think of it as DOS having had reconstructive surgery of the body and being boosted on steroids).
Windows is a system with a GUI (Graphical User Interface), a sort of makeup hiding its drab old engine looks (Yes, that old DOS is still (mostly) underneath even if it has been overhauled many times).
Now, let us dissect what explorer.exe (really) is!
The one we know the most is the "Files Explorer" part, the one that shows us visually (to a point) what we have in the computer.
The one we USE the most without knowing it is the "Shell", the one that connects the "Engine" (Call it DOS or whatever you like) and the GUI (The "looks" we see).While the Files Explorer part is easy to set aside (not completely replace), the Shell part is not so easily disposed of because it is hooked everywhere (It's like the heart of the system).
While it is still possible to replace this shell, this is an entirely different can of worms as you MUST know EXACTLY what you are doing because you could very well (and very easily) NUKE your entire system.
So you see, Q-Dir replaces the Files Explorer part very well and that is what JohnC wanted (I think!) but it is not conceived to replace the Shell part.
@davee and Buzz:
I have tried ALL you suggest at one time or another but I still prefer Q-Dir because of three things, it is SMALL, stable and very well maintained (on top of doing what it is supposed to do).
Accelman is old ( 2007-04-21 ) and was buggy when I tried it last.
UltraExplorer is interesting but somewhat big (3.10 MBs), a testbed for Mustangpeak Delphi and CBuilder Components (their own words not mine), a bit buggy and with the scare about the Delphi "virus" going around, I am less encouraged to use it.
FreeCommander is also interesting but there where some minor gripes (for me) when using it, it is a bit big (@ 2.36 MBs) and I find it less visually appealing than Q-Dir.
Xplorer 2 lite is small too but I did not like its looks and (absolutely) dislike compagnies that offer a reduced set program to try to sell you their full version.
Powerdesk Pro has always tried to be the "Jack of all trades" to me and that makes it a very BIG program (in fact, the latest version (7) is a whopping 32.3 MBs), who needs an lumbering Elephant when you can use a slick Ferret ?
Hope this (long) explanation has helped (and will continue to help) my fellow GOTD members to understand Windows various naming mysteries.
Quantum Dragon AKA Paul
Posted 14 years ago # -
cimmind
Member@Quantum Dragon
Wow.. thanks for taking the efforts to write that detailed explanation. Cleared my query regarding explorer.exe use.
So, what extra benefit does Q-Dir offer as a replacement for just the file explorer component of Explorer?
From what i gather so far:
- explorer.exe is still required, as Q-Dir will use it actually for shell function
- If explorer.exe is still running, then no security advantage offered by using Q-Dir.
- Only advantage (?) i could see was having >1 panels by using Q-Dir. Maybe useful for some, over the alt-tab conventional feature. But for me, its not required enough to justify having an extra piece of software running.When i use Firefox as an alternative for IE, i replace it completely. FF does not need or use IE at all, so has all the extra security bolster. I don't think Q-Dir,or any other prog, can be actually termed a replacement for Win Explorer in a similar manner.
Posted 14 years ago # -
PlainJames
Member@cimmind
Sounds like you're wanting a shell replacement. Check out this Wikipedia link for an explanation and list of several of the most popular alternatives.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_shell_replacement
When using one of these shells as instructed, 'Explorer.exe' will not be loaded. Without 'Explorer' running, you lose the usual desktop as the alternative software provides its own substitutes.
This can be fun to experiment with and you may find something you prefer to use, but remember to be extra cautious since you could make your computer unuseable if you don't understand the consequences. Have a current system backup handy!
Posted 14 years ago # -
Quantum Dragon
Member@cimmind
Q-Dir is NOT a replacement but an alternative!
You are still using the "Shell" part of explorer.exe everytime you open up "Windows".
So it does not add to security, it is merely a multi-panel version of the built-in one.
I find it useful for file transfers as I have 2 internal and 4 external hard drives.
When using Firefox, you are right in saying that it does not need Internet Explorer but I must remind you that IE is still on your hard drive as you cannot take it off Windows completely (It is still attached to the "Kernel" inside).
The proof of that is that some badly coded programs insist on using IE for browsing when you click a link inside them (At least on my computer).
If you want to replace the Shell, you might also take a look @ these links:
http://www.lighttek.com/talisman.htm
P.S.: While the Wikipedia article is very interesting, don't forget to take it with a grain of salt as this is a public community and some of these texts require verification.
The best way to protect yourself BEFORE changing anything is to "image" your hard drive.
Here are some solutions for that:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-drive-imaging-program.htm
Hope this helps
Quantum Dragon AKA Paul
Posted 14 years ago # -
4shadowm
MemberJust a warning about Xplore2lite. The author has now started bundling it with a toolbar that you do NOT have the option of not installing. Which means I won't be installing it on any other machines, nor will I recommend it any longer.
Edit by BuBBy: Correction - there IS a screen during install giving you the option to install the toolbar or not. If you decide to install the toolbar and later wish to remove the toolbar - it can be removed from Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs (recommend Revo Uninstaller) - the toolbar is called "xplorer2 Toolbar".
Posted 14 years ago # -
I use and recommend both the full version of xplorer2 and QDir. Both are excellent.
In terms of the lite/full version of xplorer² - you can refer to http://zabkat.com/x2lite.htm to compare - and as you can see even the free version of x² is more powerful than windows explorer.
During install there is an option - "Open all filesystem folders with xplorer² (replace windows explorer)" that will make "xplorer² your default folder application". The results aren't always perfect or seamless - but in most cases (file) explorer never shows up. I think when programs call explorer.exe directly (hardcoded), not much you can do.
As far as the lite software being a crippled version of the full product - it's not usually an issue. The features missing from the lite product are the more advanced and rarely used ones, and their absence isn't too much of a drama. What is annoying - is being shown menu items (prefixed with a [P] for "Pro version") that do nothing other than pop up a nag screen telling you:
<i>This command is only available in the professional version.
To unleash the full power of xplorer² you must upgrade. The Pro version has.....</i>Of course to not see those screens you can either not select those menu items (no too difficult) or purchase the pro version. (In my opinion, definitely of excellent value).
I must say the practice of putting in menu items or buttons that indicate they might perform some function, only to be told it isn't available - will usually make me lose patience very quickly. If the menu or button doesn't do anything, either disable it or get rid of it. Either the software is free or it is an advertisement... grrr who put that soapbox here?
But all that aside - I am extremely happy with both xplorer² and Q-Dir. But AFAIK only xplorer² will let you replace explorer.exe as the default folder/file management app in windows.
Posted 14 years ago # -
4shadowm
MemberThat's strange, because I just tried to install it from a download done today and I always look for the option and there was none, I aborted the install because of it. When I checked their forums, the author stated there was the option to uninstall if you didn't like it.
Posted 14 years ago #
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