FreeCommander XE

Even though the operating system deployed on your computer features a basic navigation tool, some prefer other applications for this job. FreeCommander is a file manager that relies on the same two-panel view we've seen in other similar applications, but promising to offer a bunch of other very handy utilities.

The application features a very clean and user-friendly interface, and that's indeed a very important fact since it's supposed to be aimed at beginners and experienced users alike.

Although there are a few things to be improved here and there, such as the drive icons that seem to be too cramped underneath the toolbar, FreeCommander remains an easy to use application.

While right clicking on a folder or file opens the traditional Windows Context Menu, FreeCommander boasts a number of tools, including a built-in compression tool that handles ZIP, CAB and RAR files.

FreeCommander allows you to create and verify MD5 checksums, wipe or split files, connect to a network drive, open a command prompt window, take a desktop screenshot, run a user-defined application, as well as synchronize and compare folders.

The built-in FTP client can be configured with just a few clicks as long as you know all the settings, but FreeCommander impresses mostly thanks to the superior customization level it provides. You can defined a key shortcut for basically every single tiny action that can be performed within FreeCommander, including the common copy, paste, delete and move operations.

Each panel view is highly customizable straight from the main window, with multiple modes at your disposal, including list, details, custom columns, large and small icons, thumbnails and quick view.

Overall, FreeCommander is undoubtedly one of the best file managers on the market, and with some improvements, it could easily fight for the supremacy of this particular software category. However, the application receives constant updates, so if you're using it and are experiencing issues there's still hope.