Free alternatives Total Commander - free alternatives to TC. Nimble Commander is a full-fledged analogue of Total Commander for Mac
To manage files on a computer running Windows OS, Explorer or Total Commander are traditionally used. However, these programs are not always convenient; in addition, excellent analogues with broader functionality have long been developed. Let's talk about them.
1. muCommander: Free alternative to Total Commander
muCommander - universal file managerPromises clear work simultaneously in two windows. You can easily match or move content using your mouse. An additional bookmark manager provides a good overview. However, one of the conditions for running the program on your computer is to install Java Runtimes.
MuCommander creates a virtual file system. It supports, among other things, local partitions such as FTP, SFTP, SMB, NFS or HTTP, and allows you to create, view and package directories such as ZIP, RAR, TAR, GZip, BZip2, ISO/NRG, AR/Deb and LST.
Price: For free
2. Directory Opus: Total Commander Alternative with Lots of Features
Directory Opus - Data management with many additional features If you decide to put your data in order, Directory Opus Client will become that universal assistant that you cannot do without. After all, it combines the functions of Windows Explorer with an FTP client and music player, and also offers the ability to convert photos to many formats.
Directory Opus has a built-in FTP client, music player and file packer. You can also convert images to other formats.
Advanced functions such as searching for duplicate files, modifying MP3 tags and a very convenient and powerful search function greatly diversify the manager's menu.
Cost: from 49 euros
3. FreeCommander: Progressive Explorer
FreeCommander - Progressive Explorer This program allows you to manage data in two windows simultaneously, so you can move files by simply dragging them from directory to directory. In addition to viewing images and videos, FreeCommander allows you to manage ZIP, RAR and CAP directories.
Cost: Free
4. Xplorer 2 Lite: simultaneous operation
Xplore2 Lite - synchronous operation Xplorer2 Lite provides all the features of Windows Explorer, but in addition it also offers the option of working in two windows, which greatly simplifies moving and copying files from one directory to another. In this case, you can always view the entire root directory.
Cost: Free
5. Far Manager: easy to manage
Far Manager - simplicity without problems With this retro-style file manager, you get user-friendly data management software. With Far Manager's simple design and management, you'll quickly figure out what's going where on your computer, and the ability to view two directories at once allows you to easily move your files around.
Cost: Free
The Windows Store with minimalist applications for Windows 8.1 and 10, which began operating back in 2011, over the years of development of the latest versions of the system not only did not destroy the market for desktop Windows programs, but, on the contrary, only emphasized their relevance. Alas, even now, after 6 years of operating the store, there are still quite a few high-quality and useful applications in it. More or less sensible applications from the Windows Store, as a rule, are either created by Microsoft itself or by developers of paid web services. Or such applications are sold for money. One of the failed software niches presented in the Windows Store is file managers. Many of them are not even up to the level of Windows Explorer. File managers from the Windows Store, as a rule, do not allow the launch of EXE files, do not unpack archives, and generally offer only a minimum of capabilities for working with files. Whereas the desktop file manager market can offer an abundance of products that are functionally oriented to different levels of users. Below we look at ten desktop file managers for Windows.
1.Total Commander
Total Commander is the most famous third-party file manager and an old-timer in the market for this type of software. This is a customizable file manager with a two-panel interface and extensive functionality - with a built-in archiver, file searcher, FTP client, functions for splitting/assembling files, group renaming of files, directory synchronization, with the ability to set internal file associations, with a customizable quick launch panel for programs and services Windows, with support for plugins that expand functionality, with the ability to integrate portable software, etc. Total Commander is a shareware program. You can freely download and install it on your computer, and there is no time to pay for a license in the future.
2. Q-Dir
The lightweight free program Q-Dir is not as rich in functionality as Total Commander and its analogues. Q-Dir is better considered as a more convenient alternative to Windows Explorer with a customizable interface. The trick of this file manager is the variety of panel layout options. In the program window, you can configure as many as 4 panels displaying computer files, select the most suitable option for a three-panel interface, or choose the standard window of two panels. Q-Dir can be recommended to beginners due to its resemblance to Windows Explorer.
3.Double Commander
The free file manager Double Commander is suitable for users of computer devices based on different operating systems. This is a cross-platform product with a Linux-style design, for which it was originally created, and was subsequently ported to Windows and Mac systems. Double Commander is a two-panel file manager, an analogue of Total Commander, which supports working with the latter’s plugins.
4.Multi Commander
Multi Commander is a two-pane file browser. It is free, lightweight, with a customizable interface, its own archiver, FTP client, the ability to configure internal file associations, support for add-ons, plugins and other features. Multi Commander is additionally equipped with separate functions for working with images, video and audio files.
Free NexusFile is a two-panel file manager with a nice, lightweight interface and three themes to choose from, its own archiver, FTP client, file shredder, and other functions.
6. Unreal Commander
Unreal Commander is a free file manager, practically a clone of Total Commander, only with a different interface design and the ability to change it by installing other themes and other icons on the quick access panel. Unlike Total Commander, Unreal Commander is also supplemented with built-in tools - a backup utility and a download manager.
7.EF Commander
Functional file manager EF Commander - like Total Commander, this is a shareware program. And like the latter, EF Commander is an old-timer on the file manager market: the program was created back in 1994 for OS/2, and 2 years later it was ported to Windows. The program's features include customizing the interface, a number of functions for working with files, a built-in FTP client and archiver, working with plugins, convenient launching of individual standard Windows functions, etc.
8. Directory Opus
The shareware file browser Directory Opus is not as functional as Total Commander and its full-fledged analogues, but it has a friendly, flexible and customizable interface. Equipped with an FTP client, archiver, file searcher, duplicate file tracking, multimedia file viewer, image converter and slide show function.
9. omega
Shareware file manager omega is another program that has only a small part of the capabilities that are presented in functional products like Total Commander. The oMega file manager is simple and usability-oriented: from a number of other file managers, it is distinguished by its convenient Ribbon interface - a ribbon interface with drop-down tabs and menu sections, as in Microsoft Office applications and other Microsoft products.
10. Just Manager
The free lightweight file manager Just Manager is similar in organization to Total Commander, but the very name of the program contains a hint that it is more of a quick-fix tool, but not a solution for long-term and productive work. Just Manager is equipped with an FTP client and can offer basic file operations. It doesn't even have its own archiver.
But the creator of Just Manager took care of exporting and importing program settings. Whereas the same Total Commander, when reinstalling Windows, you need to either configure it again or tinker with manually transferring the “.ini” settings file.
All 10 reviewed file managers support a Russian-language interface.
Have a great day!
Let's talk about the FreeCommander program. Why is it needed? I searched and found 7 similar programs. Three I tested and I'll tell you what FreeCommander is a free analogue of Total Commander (freesoft) and a good file manager. The program weighs only 2.5 megabytes and works quickly. The program interface is cute and not intimidating! I suggest you download the program and the help file for it on this page.
Why free software is now in price. At my work, my bosses are afraid to install licensed programs. You have to pay for a license. Free Commander saves time and nerves. He cannot compare with his beloved total commander. He is too good and unpretentious.
I would like to immediately recommend that you move F1 F2 F3, etc. to the bottom. Some teams have been preserved as in total commander. For example, tab - moving around windows. Read the help file right away. Miscellaneous -> Options -> View -> Function Key Bar.
Key Features of FreeCommander
The panels interact during file operations. This means that file copying and moving operations affect both panels. You can easily move between panels using the Tab key. The display on both panels may be different, but if there is a need to place the same directory on both, this can be easily done using the hotkeys Alt+Left / Alt+Right. Each panel has its own history, opened by Alt+Down. This makes it possible to quickly navigate through directories that were recently opened. Alt+G opens a dialog to navigate to the desired directory. It will appear on the active panel. Before you select Copy, Move, View..., you must move the cursor to at least one element in the active panel.
Hotkeys
F3 show the selected file in the Viewer window. F4 open Editor (configurable). F5 copy selected files/directories to the opposite panel. F6 move selected files/directories to the opposite panel. F7 create a new directory. F8 delete selected files/directories (with a confirmation dialog, of course). Ctrl+T allows you to display the Tree in the active panel.
Select Russian from the list if you speak English. Miscellaneous -> Settings -> General.
Download the freecommander program with a help file from the official website!
Total Commander is rightfully considered one of the best file managers, providing users with the full range of capabilities that a program of this type should have. But, unfortunately, the license terms of this utility require its paid use, after a month of free trial use. Are there any worthy free competitors to Total Commander? Let's find out which other file managers are worthy of users' attention.
One of the most famous analogues of Total Commander is the file manager FAR Manager. This application is, in fact, a clone of the most popular file management program in the MS-DOS environment - Norton Commander, adapted for the Windows operating system. FAR Manager was created in 1996 by the famous programmer Evgeny Roshal (developer of the RAR archive format and the program), and for some time it really competed for market leadership with Total Commander. But then, Evgeniy Roshal switched his attention to other projects, and his brainchild for managing halyards gradually began to lag behind its main competitor.
Just like Total Commander, FAR Manager has a two-window interface, inherited from the Norton Commander application. This allows you to quickly and conveniently move files between directories and navigate through them. The program is capable of performing various manipulations with files and folders: deleting, moving, viewing, renaming, copying, changing attributes, performing group processing, etc. In addition, more than 700 plugins can be connected to the application, which significantly expand the functionality of FAR Manager.
Among the main disadvantages is that the utility is still not developing as quickly as its main competitor - Total Commander. In addition, many users are put off by the lack of a graphical interface in the program, with only a console version available.
FreeCommander
When translating the name of the FreeCommander file manager into Russian, it immediately becomes clear that it is intended for free use. The application also has a two-panel architecture, and its interface is very similar to the appearance of Total Commander, which is an advantage compared to the FAR Manager console interface. A distinctive feature of the application is the ability to launch it from removable media without installing it on a computer.
The utility has all the standard functions of file managers that were listed when describing the FAR Manager program. In addition, it can be used to view and write ZIP and CAB archives, as well as read RAR archives. The 2009 version had a built-in FTP client.
It should be noted that currently the developers have abandoned the use of an FTP client in the stable version of the program, which is a clear disadvantage in comparison with Total Commander. But those who wish can install the beta version of the application, which contains this function. Also, the disadvantage of the program in comparison with other file managers is the lack of technology for working with extensions.
Double Commander
Another representative of two-panel file managers is Double Commander, the first version of which was released in 2007. This program is different in that it can work not only on computers with the Windows operating system, but also on other platforms.
The application's interface is even more reminiscent of Total Commander's appearance than FreeCommander's design. If you want to have a file manager as close as possible to TC, we recommend that you pay attention to this utility. It not only supports all the basic functions of its more popular brother (copying, renaming, moving, deleting files and folders, etc.), but also works with plugins written for Total Commander. Thus, at the moment, this is the closest analogue. Double Commander can run all processes in the background. It supports working with a large number of archive formats: ZIP, RAR, GZ, BZ2, etc. In each of the two application panels, you can open several tabs if desired.
File Navigator
Unlike the two previous utilities, the appearance of the File Navigator program is more reminiscent of the FAR Manager interface than Total Commander. However, unlike FAR Manager, this file manager uses a graphical rather than a console shell. The program does not require installation and can work from removable media. Supporting the basic functions inherent in file managers, File Navigator can work with ZIP, RAR, TAR, Bzip, Gzip, 7-Zip, etc. archives. The utility has a built-in FTP client. To increase the already quite advanced functionality, you can connect plugins to the program. But, nevertheless, the application is extremely easy for users to use.
At the same time, among the disadvantages are the lack of synchronization of folders with FTP, and the availability of group renaming only using standard Windows tools.
Midnight Commander
The Midnight Commander application has a typical console interface, like the Norton Commander file manager. This is a utility unencumbered by unnecessary functionality, which, however, in addition to the standard capabilities of file managers, can connect via an FTP connection to the server. It was originally developed for UNIX-like operating systems, but over time it was adapted for Windows. This application will appeal to those users who value simplicity and minimalism.
At the same time, the lack of many features that users of more advanced file managers are accustomed to makes Midnight Commander a weak competitor to Total Commander.
Unreal Commander
Unlike previous programs, which do not have a particularly diverse interface, the Unreal Commander file manager has an original design, however, not beyond the general design typology of two-panel programs. If desired, the user can choose one of several available design options for the utility.
In contrast to its appearance, the functionality of this application closely matches the capabilities of Total Commander, including support for similar plugins with WCX, WLX, WDX extensions and work with FTP servers. In addition, the application interacts with archives of the following formats: RAR, ZIP, CAB, ACE, TAR, GZ and others. There is a function that guarantees secure deletion of files (WIPE). In general, the utility is very similar in functionality to the Double Commander program, although their appearance is significantly different.
Among the disadvantages of the application, the fact that it loads the processor more than Total Commander, which negatively affects the speed of operation, stands out.
This is not a complete list of all possible free analogues of the Total Commander application. We have selected the most popular and functional of them. As you can see, if you wish, you can choose a program that would best suit your personal preferences and be close in functionality to Total Commander. However, no other program for the Windows operating system has yet managed to exceed the capabilities of this powerful file manager in most respects.
The main window of Commander One almost completely replicates the design of the Total Commander interface. Two panels with a directory tree, a drop-down menu with a list of drives, buttons F3—F8 etc. Operations with files and folders using function keys work exactly the same as in Total Commander.
Mac users are accustomed to the fact that the function keys on it by default control iTunes, screen and keyboard brightness, volume, etc., and in order to use them like in Windows, you need to use the key Fn. Commander One allows you to temporarily disable OS X functionality for these keys when the program is open and in focus (if you minimize it, the keys behave as normal again). That is When using Commander One, the F1-F12 keys will behave the same as in Total Commander. If desired, this option can be disabled.
Just like Total Commander, Commander One has built-in file viewer with support for different data types.
Search files and directories in Commander One is carried out in two ways: using the Spotlight mechanism built into OS X and its own search, which works much slower, but covers the entire file system, can search for files in network drives and FTP servers and also has more search options including the use of regular expressions and the number of levels of nesting of directories to search.
To search for files in hidden folders, you must enable the display of hidden files and folders, otherwise Commander One will ignore them when searching for files.
For those who are used to working in Midnight Commander, the developers of Commander One have provided quick access to the console by pressing CTRL+O.
Commander One, like Total Commander, can fulfill the role FTP client. In addition, you can connect DropBox, Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive and Amazon S3 cloud drives and see them in the list of drives as local ones.
The list of servers is available by clicking CMD+F.
File permissions on the FTP server can be edited by pressing a keyboard shortcut CMD+I.
For those who need to transfer files to multiple streams or to different servers, the ability to copy in the background with a keystroke is available F2.
Opinion
Eltima implemented the idea of making a cool two-panel file manager for Mac better than any of its competitors. People buying a Mac usually already have experience working with Windows and would like to see the programs they are already used to using on the Mac. With Commander One, you don't have to get used to the interface and working with the program again.
Like any product, Commander One is not without its shortcomings, some of which I would call critical:
- No plugin support;
- There is no way to compare and synchronize directories like in Total Commander. Forklift has this feature;
- No bulk file renaming. Finder has had this for a long time, but for some reason the creators of Commander One decided that this feature was not needed by users;
- Does not edit files on the FTP server;
- It opens slowly and does not hide the icon in the Dock after closing the program.
Now about the advantages:
- Available in the 8 most common languages;
- Connecting mobile devices to iOS And Android;
- Connecting video and photo cameras;
- There are both free and paid versions. Limitations of the free one - inability to work with FTP. Unfortunately, similar programs Forklift and CRAX Commander cannot boast of this;
- Search in network folders and on the FTP server;
- Saving passwords in the system keychain;
- The most complete repetition of the Total Commander interface and at the same time maintaining the general style of applications for Mac.
Can Commander One be called the best analogue of Total Commander? I think so, especially considering the free version. What do you think?