In order to get full control of files and folders in Windows systems, as you know, the so-called file manager must be used (for Windows 7 or other systems - in this case, it doesn’t matter). Many users do not like the built-in “Explorer”, at least because of its somewhat limited capabilities (this can be argued). And here the question arises of installing another similar program that would provide users with the maximum possible toolkit. It goes without saying that today there are a lot of such programs. But let's try to focus on the most popular applications, which are included in almost all well-known rating lists and are especially popular among users of Windows-systems.
What is a file manager for Windows 7 or another version?
First, some theoretical information. After all, what is a file manager for Windows 7 (64 bit) or some other modification? This is a program that allows you to not only view all files and directories available on disks or logical partitions, but also manage them at the level of simple operations, as well as perform additional actions (for example, in the form of search, data encryption, access to FTP servers and etc.).
Windows Explorer is really extremely limited in its capabilities, and its interface seems uncomfortable for many to use, which repels most of the user audience from it. It makes no sense to dwell on it, since any person working with Windows has already seen it.
Key Features
As for the basic tools that are present in any program of this type, it is possible to distinguish a system for displaying and managing the contents of disks or partitions (including hidden objects) in the form of copying, moving, deleting, renaming, the ability to set search queries, quickly create copies, accessing applications related to objects, applying and changing shortcuts, etc.
But these are only the basic operations that can be used in the same "Explorer". For example, a cryptographic encryption system, splitting or combining files, creating bookmarks, viewing history, and much more looks much more interesting. If you delve into the "Explorer", some functions of this type can be found in it, but they look somewhat unfinished. Therefore, consider the top five applications that claim to be the best. Naturally, the rating may differ from what is published on the Internet, since the evaluators and computer users themselves may have completely different preferences.
File managers for Windows 7 in Russian
It is clear that it is simply not possible to describe all known programs; therefore, we restrict ourselves to only five applications. Among all the software of this kind, the following free file managers for Windows 7 can be singled out separately:
- Total Commander.
- Free Commander.
- FAR Manager.
- File Navigator
- XYplorer Free.
Many applications are similar in terms of interface and set of basic tools, therefore, they will be further grouped according to the corresponding criteria.
Total Commander and Free Commander
These two programs can be called the undisputed leaders in almost all the lists. They are most popular and belong to two-panel managers, in which the main workspace is divided into two independent windows.
Why is this convenient? The fact that, for example, when copying or moving an object in one window, you do not need to specify its final location, if it is installed in the second.
By and large, their interface is organized in the image and likeness of the once popular Norton Commander, which was used in DOS-systems. The same windows, the same function keys for quick access to basic operations. But compared to the grandfather, "Norton", their capabilities are much wider. What is it worth deleting entire tree structures of folders, cryptographic encryption, advanced copying, fast processing of archives, built-in FTP-client and much more that can be useful in everyday work.
FAR Manager and File Navigator
The file manager for Windows 7 FAR and its closest brother, File Navigator, are also very much like Norton Commander. And this applies not only to the same two panels, but also to the fill color of the main windows, which is why the interface just looks exactly the way it used to be in DOS.
What is interesting about them? In principle, the functional set is very much like what was described for previous programs, but there are some nuances. For example, a file manager for Windows 7 called FAR is very convenient in terms of command line support. Plug-ins for games or for working with external archivers look pretty good, sorting objects with highlighting for certain types of colors or instant access to FTP.
File Navigator is more interesting in that it allows you to create groups of files or directories to perform joint operations on them. It will become simply an indispensable assistant for all those users who are connected among themselves on a network.
XYplorer Free
Before us is another program, which is a kind of hybrid of the above-described Commanders and the classic "Explorer". For him, however, crack needs to be installed separately.
The main actions do not differ much from the rest of the applications, but special attention should be paid to the built-in tool for viewing video or graphics and listening to audio, the presence of a built-in video protocol downloader from YouTube hosting, support for exporting data in CSV format, implementing custom commands, etc.
What to choose?
And what program is the best file manager for Windows 7? Alas, answering this question is quite difficult, although with a high degree of probability (based on user reviews), it can be argued that after all, the first in the list is Total Commander. Its analogues, although very similar to it, however, in most cases, they are somewhat inferior in functionality. But fans of multimedia can be advised XYplorer Free, since its tools are just for this purpose. However, the choice is left to the user himself, and to impose something for his own needs is absolutely ungrateful, especially since it all depends on exactly what features of the program may be required in a particular case.