The hunt for the tabbed explorer

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by Mrkvonic, Sep 16, 2017.

  1. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Tabs, tabs, tabs, I'm looking for a good time. Tabus Maximus Presentus: A review of several tabbed file managers, as an alternative or supplement to Windows Explorer, including Explorer++ and FreeCommander XE, focusing on setup, look & feel, ease of use, basic and advanced features, bookmarks and sessions, settings and options, and more. Have fun.

    https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/windows-tabbed-explorer.html


    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  2. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    Mrk.... you may not have heard of Clover. Its a well-reviewed tab extension for Windows Explorer along with QTTabBar and of course Tab Explorer

    I've installed Tab Explorer. Just enable tabs and you can add as many you like to browse Windows Explorer.

    Microsoft is reportedly considering bringing tabs to Windows Explorer. Its a mystery why it hadn't brought it to Windows 10 in the first place.
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2017
  3. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    I indeed have not. Thanks!
    Mrk
     
  4. silverfang

    silverfang Registered Member

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    Great article, Mrk. Explorer++ was exactly what I was looking for.
     
  5. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    Tab Explorer is light on resources. It puts a tab on the Explorer pane and you can open new tabs, clone a tab, pin a tab or rename a tab.

    Hasn't been updated since 2014 but even though its x86, still works great on x64 Windows 10. Its cool for freeware.
     
  6. TairikuOkami

    TairikuOkami Registered Member

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    I loved Explorer++, it no longer works on 10. Xyplorer Free was nice, no longer free and besides it failed to launch files as admin.
    The new Windows tabbed explorer from store is just horrid. I gave up on the idea, there are no viable simplistic options for me. :'(
     
  7. Baldrick

    Baldrick Registered Member

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    Have you tried Clover (http://cn.ejie.me/)? I have found it rather good and despite that some of the Korean translation are not...it generally works really quite well.

    Regards, Baldrick
     
  8. TairikuOkami

    TairikuOkami Registered Member

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    That actually looks pretty cool, it even allows bookmarks. I just hope, it does not crash, but it definitely looks like a keeper. Thanks. :thumb:
     
  9. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    Tab Explorer has a more standard tab look that I like and its configurable.

    You can set it to run when Windows boots up.
     
  10. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    I'd love to have tabs for Windows Explorer, and even got QTTabBar when I had XP and 7. But anything that hooks into Explorer can have (future) compatibility issues and break things.

    Separate file managers seem to have different context menu's if I remember correctly, and of course independent interface/workflow. Plus, Windows Explorer is always opened instead when navigating from other programs.

    In the end, I don't think there is a really good solution until Microsoft implements tabs.
     
  11. rossnixon

    rossnixon Registered Member

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    I love Q-Dir. I run it nearly always with 4 panes visible, and sometimes several tabs on each pane. Useful when you have quite a few HDD's and/or volumes.
     
  12. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    I agree. Although Tab Explorer is next to ideal when opening Explorer. Just tabs and nothing else. No real compatibility issues and things to break. I hope Microsoft implements something like it for Explorer.
     
  13. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    I used that once. I think I stopped after upgrading to Windows 10, because I wanted my setup to be minimalistic (and was worried about compatibility). Now, I think I'll try it again.

    *Hmm, I think I like the interface of Clover better... I'll try it after installing the Fall Creator's Update. Have Macrium in case anything goes wrong anyhow.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2017
  14. Brummelchen

    Brummelchen Registered Member

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    tried them all - and dropped them all except xyplorer.
    expicula is dead, explorer++ q-dir and many other are overfilled with pointless features but one is missing at all - a detailed version info and some more like xyplorer offers - the explorer file info is somehow poor and stupid. and the most lacks a decent bookmarks manager (favorites).
    but that "review" is very limited and dont mention paid products - as usual for such reviews. everybody wants free. sigh
     
  15. Stode

    Stode Registered Member

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    When I found Q-Dir, i instantly "fell in love" with it's quad-panel explorer.
    I just couldn't live without it anymore.
    In my opinion,it's the best.
     
  16. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    Windows 10 has backwards compatibility with x86 applications - the vast majority of software written for Windows. The transition to
    Microsoft Store apps will take years. No reason not to use what's available.
     
  17. ZMsiXone

    ZMsiXone Registered Member

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    I'm using Directory Opus on all my machines (homepage: xxx.gpsoft.com.au/index.html ; single licence: 89 AUD). The company is also offering a light version
    of this file manager (its a bit cheaper: 49 AUD). About 10 years ago i started using this software: It's very stable and has a lot options to customize the UI.
    A quote from their homepage:
     
  18. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    I don't mean complete and obvious incompatibilities. But rather possible future conflicts, especially after installing the next Windows 10 edition.

    Anyhow, I'll actually try Clover now since it really seems convenient and Macrium never failed me yet. Bookmarks bar is an extra plus with "Expand to open folder" setting hiding Quick access.

    *EDIT:
    Clover actually works as a EXE that pulls together Explorer windows, much like Tab Explorer. I don't think it will break anything, so it appears to be just what I'm looking for.
    Only issue I've found is that when I restore all the closed tabs after exiting Explorer, extra tabs can show such as "This PC" (default folder for me) and duplicate(s) of previous tabs that don't load.
    Otherwise works great. Clean, simple, familiar, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2017
  19. Stode

    Stode Registered Member

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    Horrible prices..
    Q-Dir is free and offers most of the features of Directory Opus,but with quad-panel explorer. (can be switched to 1-4 panels)
    Q-Dir also runs as portable and you can define lots of stuff for the portable version which is quite handy.
    Also it is not bloated, takes like 1 megabytes of space..
     
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