Every day we offer FREE licensed software you’d have to buy otherwise.
Fileside 1.7.1 was available as a giveaway on October 1, 2023!
Fileside is a file manager for Windows and Mac that lets you create workspaces of tiled folders for each of your projects, collections or workflows. The folders you need will never be more than a click away. And reorganising them becomes a breeze thanks to the side-by-side layouts.
It was born out of frustration with stock file managers, and was designed to tackle the ongoing challenge of recalling where you saved things and repeatedly navigating to those locations. No more opening multiple windows, navigating to the right place in each one, then painstakingly resizing and arranging them just to start moving files around.
Fileside also comes loaded with further productivity-enhancing features like full undo for everything, previews, search, advanced folder merging, favourites, history, full keyboard control, compression/extraction, theming etc.
Windows 10 or higher
58.8 MB
Lifetime
$29.00
Downloaded program, went to website in readme.txt., copied license and entered it. Thanks.
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I'm always excited to see new File Manager developers. Their new ideas and concepts are always encouraging. Many File Manager developers started but could not compete with long time standards, and thus gave up. Even when supporting Total Commander addons, many developers had to give up.
The Fileside developer knows there is a long road ahead before reaching version 2, including many parts that will need to be optimized and some rewritten. I can only wish the developer the best of luck. The program has a long way to go before being comparable to other File Managers, such as xplorer.
In January, I saw this offered for $19. Without any significant noticeable improvements, it is now $29. Per the FAQs page, the purchase price is good for versions up to the next major version (but not for that next major version). The discount (if any) for a major version upgrade is not specified. For such a lack of features, the $19 would be a hard sell to many potential users; $29 makes it an even harder sell. Without a very reasonable lifetime option, the risks are high and the competition is too tough.
I've tried every file manager I can find from open source, free, to pay-for programs. I'm glad to have this opportunity to give Fileside another try.
Problems Found:
User not offered a drive/path to install the program (uses defaults).
Cannot alter order of layouts along the left (no drag/drop repositioning) without undoing then recreating, or deleting a layout to move those below it to rise.
Shortcuts are not usable or will open an Explorer window. Why open another file manager when in a file manager already?
Cannot move files using a drag operation from one pane to another. Instead, must Copy the source, move to the target pane, then Paste (Move)
Copying large files is very slow. Things like TeraCopy are not supported.
Colored folders are not colored (folders with ico file).
Wishlist:
I'd rather the OS allow specifying a folder's color without having to include ico files in the same folder (and often the specifier data), but I would be partially satisfied if a File Manager could create its own hidden database (like Fileside does with "trashed" files) to specify what color a folder should be.
I'd like to see the ability to specify the color of file listing by extension like other File Managers have done (e.g., QDir)
I'd like to see the ability to automatically check for an update, and if allowed with the current license, perform the update like other File Managers (e.g., MultiCommander)
I'd like to see a portable edition.
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Whew. I finally was able to get the license key, only to be blocked from installing it. The key is very long, and it won't allow me to paste it in the license key window.
Help please?
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OK. I opened the program as administrator and it actually let me paste the key and it registered. The problem is that now when I open the program, it still is in trial mode and still won't let me paste the key. Don't want to open as administrator every time I try to use this program.
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Installed this, and i really like it's simple, no clutter interface. If I want to re-install this at a later date, can i just repaste the key I've been given when I first registered it?
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bryan, can't see any obvious difference between activated and not activated it's very much a work in progress in both forms.
TK
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bryan, Usually Giveaways have to be installed and registered before the day is over. You probably could if you bought the full program on their website
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bryan, yes this should work, as long as you got the key in time from GOTD.
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i TURNED OFF MY aVAST SHIELDS AND YET GOT A jAVA ERROR AT THE END OF THE INSTALL. Sorry caps.
What should I do?
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I've been using Fileside (in an earlier version) since it was first offered here in January, I believe. Over the years I have experimented with pretty well all the file explorers available, but this is the one I have found most practical and like the most. I use it constantly every day. It did take some experimenting at first to figure it all out, but this is what I recommend for anyone. Thanks to the developers!
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Rod Harrington , are you sure it was here? https://www.giveawayoftheday.com/?s=Fileside only shows todays giveaway, nothing in January! XYplorer is far more complete and includes multiple tabs in each pane allowing operations across far more than just one location per pane and it uses windows explorer component so everything explorer does can be done in it too unlike this which can't even Send-To or access the recycle bin.
TK
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TK, I think you're right. I got Fileside from a different giveaway site. Sorry for the mistake. However, I still hold to my good opinions of the program. Some of those commenting mentioned a few shortcomings of Fileside: some are valid, and I'm looking forward to further development, but a few are actually mistaken. Gary, files and folders can be copied or moved by using a drag operation from one pane to another. I guess since the giveaway is over, though, more comments from me aren't needed.
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Installed (Windows 10 X64), but a non-runner. It attempts to run, but never opens a window. It isn;t being blocked by antivirus or firewall either.
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License does not install. I left all the other windows open as directed. I tried removing the first line about "LICENSE KEY" and then the other begin/end lines. No change. I requested the license a second time, got the same license text, same errors. Windows 11 current updates.
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I uninstalled, reinstalled, all done as administrator, tried the key with and without the surrounding uppercase lines, Deleted all the software, re-downloaded. On the last try I copied the key but missed the first dash in the first line "LICENSE KEY". When I went to fix the missing dash, I saw that the license had been accepted with a green checkmark, before I entered the missing dash.
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Thorn Roby, the key starts with the line gotd+userspecificsymbols@fileside.app and ends with ==
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Thorn Roby, the same story. The license key does not paste in the window. Try to uninstall the program, but not uninstalled.
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Installed easily
Code given without trouble
Will have to test in the coming weeks but so far so good
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Thanks for the lifetime license. Does this include future upgrades to new full versions? (I would guess it wouldn't, but thought I'd ask.)
If I purchase the program license, does that give a lifetime license for future upgrades to new full versions of the software?
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Donald, this free giveaway is for version 1.7.1 only.
The normal paid license includes all automatic updates up until the next major version, i.e. 2.0.
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I have received the registration link in my email, but the license code page did not accept cut and paste, and the license key texts is so huge and complicated to type in the box, so what should I do now ?
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Lovina, the Enter License Key window in Fileside itself should let you paste the key you got from Giveaway of the Day. Are you saying this isn't working?
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Erik (Fileside), I am having the same issue. I can't paste into the box and although I can physically type it in, it's very loooong! Program itself looks great. Thank you.
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Erik (Fileside), yes, the registration window is not allowing me to paste the license texts, which is so much and clustered to type in the window.
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Erik (Fileside), Same problem. Won't let me paste the key. Too big to try to input by hand
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Erik (Fileside), there is no right click context menu now if the end user is a more technically minded user and aware of the undocumented CTRL+V then yes paste does work but one has to take a punt as there are no tool tips or normal windows user interface.
TK
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Lovina,
Try hitting the "Ctrl" Key on your keyboard and at the same time hitting the "z" key. This will usually paste, when the right click and "paste" option won't work.
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Erik (Fileside), Try copying the key... then click into the key entry window , then type Win+v.... this will display everything in your clip board... just click the key and it should enter. Worked for me.
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Lovina, Please I am desperate for some help. I cannot paste the serial in. This looks the most useful program for me and I am desperate to get it sorted before the time ends. Any help is appreciated.
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Erik (Fileside), My license key is not working. Any way to reach out to you guys?
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Hi all, copying the whole license key with Ctrl+C, and then pasting it into Fileside with Ctrl+V should work. Not Ctrl+Z, as a previous poster suggested.
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asp, Try hitting the "Ctrl" Key on your keyboard and at the same time hitting the "z" key. This will usually paste, when the right click and "paste" option won't work.
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Steve K, CTRL+z is usually "undo" in programs that support it CTRL+v is "paste".
TK
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Erik (Fileside), Thank you Erik, this worked for me. Nice program.
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TK, Yes. Of course you're right. Ctrl+v is correct.
My apologies to any I confused. I actually copy/pasted it at least once here, without realising what I'd done.
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Be warned: This auto-saves to the C drive.
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Curious, what do you feel is problematic about this? Fileside follows Microsoft's recommendations and auto-saves settings and other application data to the C:\Users\[your_username]\AppData\Roaming\Fileside folder.
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Erik (Fileside), C: drive is still often on a small SSD with limited space AND limited possible writes available so forcing file saving to a hierarchy permanently on the small weak SSD is less than ideal even if it is the Windows recommended/trained way of doing it! An option would be to provide a setting to store the user database/settings as much as I personally hate doing in one of the USER folder subfolders that CAN be pointed to a different non-system physical drive. e.g. Downloads, Documents, Music, Video yuck That allows the settings to still be in the per-user hierarchy but lets the end user put that hierarchy on a secondary drive that may be added as a electro mechanical hard drive or a much larger SSD that has peta bytes of writes to spare in its predicted lifetime and is not polluted by windows own frequent writing. including the gigabytes of fast boot system writes that happen by default on most systems.
TK
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Erik (Fileside), what is the Trash folder in settings used for?
"C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Fileside\stash"
you're not re-inventing windows recycle bin are you?
At least it can be relocated to a less vulnerable drive letter! Unlike the significant file set in it's parent folder!
TK
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TK, yes they are replicating the recycle bin folder but instead of using NTFS built in recycle.bin system which does not MOVE the data around the drive but just moves and manipulates the hard-links to the files data allocation this software completely moves the "move to trash" to the specified folder (the often small SSD) so if you move to trash from big D: or E: partition on massive secondary drive it gets transferred to the small write damage susceptible SSD system drive unless you point it elsewhere. Better to just delete normally not Shift-Backspace but just backspace. Oh great just tried Backspace and it deleted the file as if it were Shift-Backspace so they have yet to learn how to use the recycle bin which is why they have tried to re-invent it but badly. My advice don't use any of the delete options in this version of the program if you want to do deletes that you want the chance to get back in windows explorer, that just moves all references to the file recycle.bin database so it can be fully restored QUICKLY later or delete fully by deleting the file from the recycle bin folder on each drive letter. I'll wait for them to learn to use the systems delete or shift+delete properly and add the recycle folder functionality to their re-implementation of Explorer functionality.
TK
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Erik (Fileside), in response to your justification of avoid the use of Windows Recycle bin:
"Why are trashed files not moved to the Recycle Bin?
Microsoft has not made it easy for developers of third-party apps to support undo after sending files to the Recycle Bin. Since one of Fileside’s design goals is to support undo for everything, it uses a workaround here. When trashing an item, it gets moved to an application-specific folder instead, which defaults to %APPDATA%\Fileside\stash.
You can change the location of this stash, as well as clear it, from the Settings dialog under Trash directory"
Please look at an explorer alternative XYplorer https://www.xyplorer.com/index.php It uses the Explorer component, implements Edit Menu Undo of deleting to the MS recycle bin like you want but couldn't solve, implements views context and menu bar functionality, all the installed shell extensions and standard context facilities... and has portable editions too.
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TK, please see this FAQ for the rationale behind the custom trash folder:
https://www.fileside.app/faq/#why-are-trashed-files-not-moved-to-the-recycle-bin
Since then, we did find a potential workaround for the undo problem however, which we'll look into, and if reliable, use in the future instead of this custom solution, which I agree is far from ideal.
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Erik (Fileside), Even though TK has elaborated correctly, I'll hereby confirm that it is the small C drive problem. Most developers present a menu asking the user where they would like to install the new software. I would suggest you do likewise in any new additions.
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After every start- it shows a very annoying nag- saying this is a giveaway version and asking to buy the commercial one.
I am not able to find my network drives.
50+ MB installation file- to install something, which doesn't help much more than the native Windows Explorer? Hm...
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Stefan Kalsum, mapped network drives will show up under This PC. If you are using UNC paths to access your network drives, you will need to type them into the path box (\\host\share... etc) the first time you access them. Thereafter they will be available in the location menu.
A network discovery feature would be a nice addition though I agree, and will be added at some point in the future.
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So far I love the idea, still checking out the execution. First big problem I'm having, why can't I see the path of or the name I've given to my locally mapped network drives? For example, all I see is "Z: Windows8_OS" as opposed to "Customer Projects (\\devicename\user\folder\)(Z:)". Every other file manager I use (yes I use several trying to find the perfect one) shows me the latter. I have over 20 mapped drives. This is a deal breaker for me if I can't see their name.
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Thanks for the report, Janet. Just double-checked this, and indeed you're right. For network drives (probably the most common use case for mapped drive letters), each drive is listed with the name of its share, but for drive letters mapped to local folders, it's just showing the drive name right now, which is indeed not very helpful. Will look into fixing this.
(As an aside, Fileside's Locations menu should ideally reduce the need for mapped local folders. You can just hit Ctrl-P, and type a few characters of the folder name to quickly jump to any folder that you've visited before or added as a favourite.)
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The key request page doesn't always show up, I had all pages open and cookies where accepted. After a second try I got the page.
Also a very annoying thing is the splash screen at boot:
"Welcome to fileside....This is a special version of fileside...."
This is truly and utterly annoying everytime you start the application.
You MUST click the small "ok" button at the lower right.
It does not close when clicking outside the splash-window.
I appreciate the giveaway and I the way this filemanager approaches file-management but that splash screen has to go. (I tried looking in the settings).
A portable version would also be nice.
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r0n, Curious how often you close and restart programs on your PC for this to be such an issue? With most apps that I use regularly, I leave them open and just send the machine to sleep when I'm done for the day, meaning I wouldn't see any startup messages such as this welcome screen very often at all.
(Secret tip: The license key you get for this giveaway will also work in the standard 1.7.1 trial download you can get directly from www.fileside.app, which won't have the special GOTD message. But shh, don't tell anyone.
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Erik (Fileside),
Thanks, Erik for getting involved in the comments section. It is most appreciated; otherwise, potential customers see it as if the developer does not care about their program's development.
In reference to you describing how you use your program by keeping it open and putting the PC to sleep as a cure for the popup at the start of the program, as a long-time developer, I learned something that every developer needs to understand. If you build a program and it is a benefit to you, then that is great. If you give the program free to some friends and it benefits them, then that is great too. But when you make the program into a product or even mass distributed freely, you will find that your own control over the future of the program as to how it works and the things that it needs to be added are not totally your choice, provided you want to keep it in the marketplace. You will need to listen to other's opinions of how they want the program to work and what path your development efforts are applied to. You will need to weigh all the input you receive and decide what makes the program a better-liked/sellable program. Sometimes a favorite future feature you had in mind doesn't get added, at least not for a long time. Instead, you need to incorporate other's ideas. Developers that do not listen or do not patronize by adding the things they hope for will see their "baby program" remain a baby. Whatever you do, don't take it personally. Everybody has an idea of how File Managers should work based on their varied experiences. The more you support your initial customer base, the longer your product will remain a viable solution for others. Best of luck to you.
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The doesn't work (won't validate) with the trial version from the fileside site. (At least not from my end, I don't know if others have the same issue).
Alternatives for the current method of the splash screen:
- Show it 3 times and after that stop showing
- Show it in the titlebar (maybe also 3x times...)
- Give the user the option to click outside the splash window to close it.
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I don't know if the developer reads the comments here or not
But for a software that has been developed for four years now, at least adding different file viewing modes should not be such a complicated task.
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Albert, https://x.com/erkjlvk/status/1627734291944771594?s=20
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Steven, that Reddit thread was in February. Is it really close to being in a new release, and if I install that next version, will I lose my license to this version?
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Haha indeed, it's a fair point! I assume it's the thumbnail view you're missing? It is a commonly requested feature so the plan is to add it in an upcoming version.
The truth is it's not been much of a priority up until now, since the preview mode allows you to quickly step through a bunch of images with the arrow keys.
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Erik (Fileside), Send-To is completely absent too as are all the shell-extensions no 7-zip shortcuts, no irfanview shortcuts, no HxD or other hex editor or text editor shortcuts... maybe in version 2.0 USE the Explorer component so all extentions WORK and add your important functions in your parent code and and additional shell extension that works alongside everyone elses shell extensions. re-inventing what took MS decades to do on your own is going to take many hours of partial functionality before you get to something that is better than what MS made available for all programmers from the start!
TK
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Albert, He does read and responds. It appears the GUI is being built how he want's Explorer to look and function like and ignores all the other options the Windows Explorer Shell component provides that he has not seen as a priority. At some point he'll need to replicate shell extensions sub-system too.
TK
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Donald, x/twitter thread not reddit, that functionality shown is in this version. None of the alternate from details view has been implemented and looks like it will be a long time to be implemented completely or any better than explorer component already does it now.
TK
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TK, just for some context, one of the main goals of Fileside is to be a cross-platform app that works the same across both Windows and Mac. Hence, it might diverge a bit from the usual Windows standards.
Having said that, I agree that the shell extensions would be very useful to have integrated, and will most likely happen at some point. Fileside will however never use the stock Explorer component for the reasons mentioned above, as well as for UX reasons. If you prefer that, there are plenty of other Windows-only alternative file managers to choose from.
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TK, You're right. I linked somewhere to a Reddit thread and got the two confused.
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The Link provided, to obtain the registration serial, DOES NOT WORK.
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Alvega,
Please make sure that you use the same browser for the archive request and key request and that your browser saves cookies. Also please request the key and don't close the previous download page in your browser during the page visit.
GOTD team
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Helen, The Link provided, to obtain the registration serial is still not working after several attempts.
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Lovina,
please follow the provided instructions.
Each user gets his individual code.
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Lovina, The registration worked for me. As soon as the program finishes installation, the program opens and there's a screen that appears over the program window that has a link to enter the registration code. Be careful when copying the code from the email you receive after going to the web link provided in the readme file in the zip file the program came in. Use the same browser to download and also to request the registration code. If you copy a space before or after the code, it will likely not work for you.
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Hello Windoze 7 SP1 still in usage. What is a problem for .Net application to be compatible backward to Windoze 7 or even Vi$ta?
No support = no problem. No mirages about using clumsy Windows 11 or even 10. Thats I skip this offer
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dobry juzer, when I try to install this under Vista (taking a punt) the installer quits with an alert box stating Windows 7 or above is required so... I say if you have 64bit Windows installs you want to try it on... go for it... at worst it installs but fails to run and fails to uninstall... usually the installer generates the uninstaller so if it installs it *should* also uninstall! NOTE only 64-bit executables are included for the program in the provided setup.exe so it WILL NOT run under 32-bit Windows 10 installs.
TK
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Usually, I test giveaways either in a virtual PC, or in Sandboxie Plus.
I have no Windows 10 or 11 available on this laptop, so I installed it in Sandboxie Plus. It runs as it should, but an edited file was not stored in its original place, but in the sandbox of the giveaway. That is very clumsy, so I had to install it on the real W11 laptop.
It seems a nice tool to keep.
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As I see the whole of that program, it is totally unclear!
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