Navigating a modern computer's directory tree is a daunting task,
and the standard Windows file explorer is barely up to the task.
FreeCommander offers a powerful, and free, replacement program.
The main window is split into two panes, each of which shows a
directory view. This makes it very easy to copy or move files.
Further, FreeCommander provides directory comparison and
synchronization functions, as well as the ability to customize
columns in the 'detail' view. Other features include the ability to
specify the font used for different parts of the view, as well as
coloring specific file types--if you want all your Excel files to
be bright green, they can be.
Furthermore, the program allows each of the two panes to have
multiple tabs showing different folders. For example, if a user is
working on a complex project scattered among multiple folders, he
or she might have four folders for the left pane and three for the
right. At the Users option, each tab can maintain its own history
of previously viewed folders.
Last, FreeCommander features the ability to 'quickview' a file,
showing the contents of most common file formats (text, graphic,
html) in one pane. This allows remarkably quick browsing of the
contents of a folder filled with document files.
FreeCommander program is deep; it will take a user a while to
explore all of its features, settings, and options. I found it a
very useful tool, and it is well supported with a new version in
beta and an active forum--plus, it's free!
--Ian Harac
- Recommend:
Popular in File Management
- Calibre 10,206
- Auslogics Duplicate File Finder 13,636
- Data Recovery NTFS 5,867
- Windows Double Explorer 12,458
- Fast Duplicate File Finder 84,396
freeCommander
- Version: 2007.10
- Downloads Count: 14,563
- License Type: Free
- Price: Free
- Date Added: Nov 20, 2007
- Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista
- File Size: 2.12 MB
- Author: Marek Jasinski
Most recent User Reviews for freeCommander
Add Your Review
-
Reviewed by: cw2go
Duration of ownership: 15 Months
Strengths: Too many strengths to list. Solid program with no hidden charges. Able to configure split window with tree and file-list views on each half (similar to PowerDesk, but more difficult to configure); able to view photos and many files (PDF, TXT, HTML, JPG, etc.)in viewer. Much faster than PDesk for work with photos, maps and large files, which can crash PDesk but are handled easily by FreeCommander. Has most PDesk features, with some extras, and much faster, but longer learning curve to use many features.
Weaknesses: Viewer does not display .doc or .img files, .xls files unformatted, .jpg images may be distorted (PDesk has better viewer). Getting full capability takes some learning and configuring, and customization / configuration can be a bit frustrating (more limited than PDesk).
Overall Evaluation: After testing several alternatives, this appears to be the best file management shareware available, and no $$ req'd to get updates. Appears as powerful as PD but with more limited viewer. I think this is the best file mgr available, as least by my criteria.
-
Reviewed by: oregonnerd
Duration of ownership: 3 Months
Strengths: Similar again to Win 3.11, highly reminiscent of the VCOM product P*wer Desk.
Weaknesses: Window-to-window view doesn't work, which in some situations is a strength.
Overall Evaluation: Extremely good file manipulation and viewing. Fast. Doesn't use a lot of resources. I suspect PD 7 is more powerful, but it isn't free in any respect (I just sent Avanquest another comment on that, as a longtime user; I'll be going back to Power Desk Pro 6 when I have a computer to load XP Pro on again.) --Glenn
Sponsored
-
This Swiss Army-type utility that can archive and organize your growing e-book library.
-
Find and remove duplicate files with Auslogics Duplicate File Finder.
-
Data Recovery NTFS Software to recover NTFS data from formatted NTFS partition
-
This free Windows 7 file manager gives you two Explorer-like windows to work with.
-
Find and delete duplicate files with this freebie.
-
DiskCheckup measures the performance and 'health' of your S.M.A.R.T. enabled hard disk drive.
-
Alternative iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch manager, add songs to iPod without iTunes
-
Clean iTunes of dupes and other clutter with this utility.
-
Easily navigate your hard disk to find out why you've got no free space on your terabyte drive.
-
This replacement for the Windows copy/move function has the features that Windows should have.
Lenovo Laptop Deals
-
IdeaPad U300s If there's a laptop that deserves the moniker "Ultrabook" it's the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s.
Buy now direct from Lenovo -
ThinkPad X220 Fast and light, with great input ergonomics and battery life, this powerhouse ultraportable is best-of-breed.
Buy now direct from Lenovo -
ThinkPad T420 Just about every IT person we know swears by the T series--for their clients and themselves.
Buy now direct from Lenovo
Editors' Favorite Files
PCWorld Related Content
- Organize Photos Fast With PicaJet FX Easy, fast-working PicaJet FX makes photo filing less onerous.
PCWorld Community
Most Recent Threads
Ad Choices