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A Replacement for Windows ExplorerFile browsing has never been easier |
By Adrian Arsene, Software Editor
30th of August 2008, 11:07 GMT
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If you’ve grown tired of the old-fashioned Windows Explorer and you really want to try something new, Extra Explore could be just the thing that you are looking for. Boasting an interesting design and well-chosen colors for the graphical interface, it can certainly make file browsing more interesting, if not downright more pleasant.
What sets this app apart from others of its type is the fact that you no longer have a tree menu on the left and a content viewer on the right. With Extra Explore, you now have the ability to split the content view into two separate windows that allow you to view files from different locations on your hard disk drive. This feature can come in handy, especially if you want to copy different files from one location to another, without having to go up and down through your directory list. Now, you can simply drag and drop the file from one location to another.
Another interesting aspect is that it can also create customized groups, which act as shortcuts to your favorite applications. It's like bookmarking your favorite and most used applications so that you can later use them without having to browse through all your files. Each group can be assigned a customized name according to the applications it houses, from software to music or games.
Let’s say, for instance, that you want to copy multiple files from different locations to a single folder. This is both a time-consuming process and a very frustrating one because you have to take the files one at a time. With Extra Explore, you can now add all the files from different locations to a to-do list, so that you can use them later when, say, you need to move all of them at once to a single folder. Basically, this feature acts as a buffer between the actual movement of files from one location to another.
If you ever thought that the Details feature provided by Windows Explorer in the status bar just wasn't enough, this piece of software lets you view details about a selected file or folder in the left panel, which means that you don’t have to look at the statusbar every time you select a different file. Now, you can view the name, type, size, and the date when the file was last modified.
If, by any chance, you need to have more info on the folder that you are currently browsing, you can always take a look at the statusbar of your selected panel, and view exactly the number of available files, the number of selected files, and even the name and size of the partition you are on.
As already noted above, the colors of the application make it quite user-friendly, but if you really feel the need to give it a more personalized look, you can always change them from the Options window in the Tools menu. This window offers you the possibility to change the background color of the main window, the font, and even the folder bar. To put it differently, you can customize Extra Explore as you desire, so that browsing through your files becomes both easy and fancy-looking.
The Good
Having a feature for two panels makes this app very useful for copying files from one location to another. Also, the to-do list, where you can add all the files you want to move, is nothing short of a brilliant idea.
The Bad
Since it comes with a price tag of $22, one would expect more from Extra Explore, such as the ability to add more than two split-view panels.
The Truth
This can be a useful tool when it comes to managing your files, especially if you need to move more of them at once. Being fully customizable, chances of growing tired of seeing the same theme over and over again are close to none, because it allows you to create your own skin for any occasion and/or mood.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
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Fair (2.6/5) |
5 vote(s) |
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User opinions: |
| Comment #1 by: asmore on 03 Sep 2008, 10:31 GMT |  reply to this comment | I using FreeCommander.exe, I think it powerful enough |
| Comment #2 by: toot uncommon on 05 Sep 2008, 18:00 GMT | reply to this comment | Free Commander does the job for me too, 22 bucks is too high for software of this nature. |
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