My work involves a lot of file management, essentially the exact thing that File Managers were designed for. Over many years, I have used a lot of them.

I suppose I could classify myself as a File Manager junkie; there are quite a few of us. I love seeing yet another File Manager become available. I am always anxious to see what it can do, and if it is any better than the one I use. When I saw that ExplorerMax was being offered, I admit I was a bit excited, because I had not heard of it before.

In the past, I have searched extensively for dual-pane file managers, free or paid, just to see which one makes the most sense. After settling that question to my satisfaction, I have not been as active of a searcher of other file managers; maybe that is why ExplorerMax was new to me. When I do hear of any File Manager that I have not taken a serious look at before, I definitely want to investigate it the same as I did several years back. To get to try one that is not normally free, but free for the day, I wasted no time in getting ExplorerMax installed.

Anyone that ever needs to compare two folders/directories or copy or move a file from one location to another knows that a dual-pane view is the sensible way to go, and even having four panels (as Q-dir has) can simplify things when needing to copy/move files from one source to one of several other target directories. Therefore, I was never a fan of Windows Explorer with its single-pane view, and the directory tree view at the left. Trying to copy or move a file into one of the directory tree folders can be tedious, so a dual-pane view is a tremendous improvement. There have been several programs made to enhance Windows Explorer, such as multiple tabs, and other tweaks, but they all lack the luster of a decent dual-pane designed file manager.

ExplorerMax offered a dual-pane view, so it was the first thing I tried.

As I started the program, the view was similar to the Windows Explorer view (single-pane and directory tree at the left). I clicked on Dual pane. A new tab opened. Then I clicked on Timeline, another tab opened up. I clicked on dual-pane again as was not totally surprised that the view switched back to the first tab (dual-pane view). At that point, I was not aware that the dual-pane tab was being reserved for the dual-pane mode, and no other tabs could have a dual-pane view. If you add other tabs, they are not in dual-pane mode. Thinking I could make them dual-pane too, I clicked on Dual-pane again, but was surprised that it merely jumped back to the first tab that I had set to Dual pane. When you click on Dual-pane, it is as if you are reserving that tab's function to be a specific view, and only that tab can have that view.

The "Timeline" option got implemented as a tab, instead of a feature for the selected item. This seems to be the work of a young developer that has not yet grasped the fundamentals of a good user interface.

AN ODD DESIGN SO FAR, OR POOR DESIGN - NEXT, A STUPID DESIGN (OR BUG)

In the dual-pane tab, I can click on a folder to view its contents. That works on either side of the dual-pane (or single pane views). When I click on a folder shortcut, I expected the view to change to that folder, the same way it does in any other file manager, but instead, it causes ExplorerMax to open yet another tab, and it is not a dual-pane view. I see no way of altering any settings that would control that.

HIJACKING SYSTEM/USER DEFAULTS and SERIOUS DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

The program takes over the explorer.exe name use, so after installing, any program that would normally open Windows Explorer, will open ExplorerMax instead. If you kill Windows Explorer (explorer.exe), then try restarting it using explorer.exe, you get ExplorerMax instead.

When you reboot, the program starts without ever announcing that it will do so.

When you attempt to exit, the program goes to the System Tray instead of exiting. While in the System Tray, the program started using a lot of CPU time doing no telling what. The only way to stop it was to kill the process.

OVERPRICED PLUGINS THAT STILL DO NOT GIVE A GOOD OVERALL USER EXPERIENCE

If attempting to do anything with photos/graphic files, the program informs the user that they need to install PhotoMax, a plugin for handling photo and graphic files. PhotoMax is not free; it is an over-priced subscription model, and by its own description pages, it does not provide anything spectacular that users don't already have, even from the many free programs that are available. Before installing PhotoMax, I checked its Properties and certificate, which is a Symantec Class 3 certificate issued to "Life Guarder Software Company Limited." A search on that name brings up threat info pages describing how to remove the Life Guarder Software from your system. At that point, my interest in installing the Plugin had waned significantly.

CONCLUSION

Some of the GOTD program designers offer a free license to the best-submitted idea in the section labeled "How would you improve ..." If this program made the same offer, I would not dare enter anything for fear that I might win. The software has to be pretty bad to fall into that category.

In conclusion, ExplorerMax quickly became worthless and a nuisance, ... and were it not a "giveaway-of-the-day" offer, I am expected to pay to have it on my system? To that, I say, NO!

For ExplorerMax 2.0.0.4, for me,
I found 2 hits at VirusTotal,
it installed and runs Everything as a background service, no waning or control,
it replaced Windows File Explorer, no warning,
it tried to auto-start on reboot,
it tried to stay resident when closed,
it opened multiple copies of itself without warning,
it locked up when trying to drag and drop a file from one pane to another
( Windows 7 64 Pro ).

I removed ExplorerMax 2.0.0.4, and then ran multiple anti-malware scans after uninstall.

Thanks to everyone for their "alternatives to" suggestions - there are some great alternative resources, most of them appear more mature, and more friendly, and malware-free, and free altogether, compared to ExplorerMax 2.0.0.4.

Perhaps the vendor, OStoto/DriveTheLife, will review our feedback and offer a more competitive and well-behaved v3?
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2 hits at VirusTotal,
installs and runs Everything as a background service, no waning or control,
replaces Windows FIle Explorer, no warning,
tries to auto-start on reboot,
tries to stay resident when closed,
opens multiples copies without warning,
locks up trying to drag and drop ( Windows 7 64 Pro ).

I removed it and then ran multiple anti-malware scans after uninstall.

THanks to everyone for their "alternatives to" suggestions - great resources, most of they may more mature and friendly and malware-free and free altogether than ExplorerMax 2.0.0.4.
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I really like ExplorerMax, it has a similar look and feel to Windows' built-in File Explorer, but I'm already a long time user of Multi-Commander, which is robust, featured-rich, sleek, and FREE. Q-Dir is just too crazy for me! Too many planes sores my eyes. I'll continue to test the waters with ExplorerMax, if it's good, I don't mind paying for a license. It's not that expensive anyway.

I've been using Free Commander XE for many years now (after testing dozens of similar programs). I even paid for a subscription. It has more capabilities than most would need, it's fast and flexible, and handles large numbers of files very well (something that few file managers can do), and is still very actively developed.

I like the tabbed view idea in ExplorerMax so I will give this a try. $10 per year is not bad if it does the job well.

Is there a way to add the "Quick access" link in the left explorer when in the dual pane mode?

I tried this and it worked alright, but is missing quite a few functions. Personally I use Freecommander which has way more function than ExplorerMax does. The price seems reasonable for what it is but why buy when there is slightly better available for free. I'd score it 6/10.

Try explorer2.

Tried it on 2 Windows 10 machines. It slowed them both down. Explorer.exe chewing up CPU. The search function is slow. The Everything search tool works better. Also only a year license. Uninstalled both.

XYPlorer is, hands down, the absolute best file manager out there. It's not free, but not expensive either. And if you're concerned enough about your files to use a file manager, then you should get the best one. Bug free--an amazing thing to say in this day and age--, gets updated regularly, and features I never even knew were possible, much less needed. Look no further!

this seems nice but I personally use Q-Dir which is free and you can have 4 windows and multiple tabs in each which makes it awesome for moving files between servers and directories.

Tried copying and pasting the code multiple times. Always failed activating. Tried typing it manually multiple times. Failed code. Something is wrong. Good luck. You may need it.

I downloaded and installed it. Not impressed. There are other actually free tools that do the same things. I don't mind a little effort in order to get a chance to use software. I pay with my time or money.
However, the process to get a reg code for this app needs to be streamlined somewhat before I'll chase it. Thanks, but no thanks.

Does the "timeline" feature capture snapshots of older versions of changed files, or simply track/record the history of exploring/browsing among the computer's folders?

No dark theme for dual-pane, it really sores the eyes switching between tabs and dual pane.

What happens after 1 year?

Explorer++ is free, virus-spyware free and better.

have recieved activation key, states activation failed when I input the key.

I use MultiCommander, Double Commander, both are free.
TotalCommander is not free and I have stopped using it.

Is this offering superior in any way to Total Commander?

I prefer a better (and free) alternative: Multi Commander

Installed via the link sent to email. Followed ReadMe instructions and was sent Licence Key. Activated ok. Licence valid for one year.
I've been waiting ages for Microsoft to re-engineer Windows Explorer to look and work like this program. It's so much better than the Windows system for accessing files and folders. And fast too.
Only grumble is having to move to an annual subscription (after the first year). I'll start saving up, as this one is definitely a keeper!
Thanks GoTD!