14 DAY TRIAL // What's wrong with this picture? You know there is something unnatural to that Windows Explorer environment and yet it is quite difficult to pinpoint the clue. Here's a hint: take a look under the menu bar. Yes, those are real tabs integrated in Windows Explorer, a too long awaited feature that hasn't been implemented by Microsoft, not even in Windows Vista.
I know some of the users are not big fans of tabbed windows in file managers (in fact I have a mate who simply can't work with any other file management tool except Windows Explorer) but, for the rest of us, this stands for much higher levels of functionality as it helps reduce the time to reach a deeper buried file/folder.
QTTabBar is a neat add-in that integrates perfectly in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer. The price for benefiting from the services of this godsend (for some of the users) is nil. It is absolutely free of charge and, although it has not yet been given the finishing touch, QTTabBar promises a lot for the future Windows Explorer.
Its purpose is to allow you to manage all your files via tabs, thus facilitating faster access to different areas of your computer. The application blends in so well that the entire Explorer environment seems perfectly natural. Both the toolbar and the tabs themselves integrate perfectly in Windows Explorer's interface and affect it only in the slightest way: with tabs and standard buttons active, WE's menubar will be visible at all times.
QTTabBar's button bar reiterates all the options available in tab's context menu, but re-shapes them into a graphical form. They allow pretty general options like accessing a group of favorites, check on the history of opened tabs, access some user-defined applications, clone active tab, open a new window along with a complete set of options for closing tabs (close active tab, left/right tab or all but current). All these options can also be accessed from the context menu of a tab, but associating an action with a graphic sure makes things easier for some of the users. Plus, the bar is flexible and can be moved to any place inside the toolbar space you find more comfortable: near Windows Explorer's menu bar, on the same line as the tabbar or at the opposite end.
But there is a downside: upon maximizing and minimizing Windows Explorer QTTabBar's buttons will stick to the original spot. This means that, if you have Windows' file manager in maximized state and QTTabBar's buttons placed at the right hand end, upon minimizing Explorer, the buttons will not adjust its position to the new window dimension and will stick to the original spot. However, you can access all elements via the quick menu at the end of the window.
As simple as they may appear, the tabs of QTTabBar are extremely functional and highly configurable. Options menu offers the possibility of setting a specific size (height and min./max. length), text alignment, color code active and inactive tabs, apply colored shadow to the text inside the tab, as well as change the color of the toolbar background or personalize it with an image of your own.
Tab's functionality is double: from its context menu and from simply clicking it in the right spot and in a certain way. First of all, the context menu provides access to a number of functions that can prove really helpful in the long term. The application permits the creation of groups, favorite locations that can be accessed easily and effortlessly by the user, no matter how deeply they are buried on the hard disk. Tab's context menu not only allows the creation of new groups, but is also flexible enough to let you add new locations to a created group. The advantage of this function is evident in the long run, as you create and use specific locations on the computer.
More than this, if you want a certain tab to stand out through a label of your choice, there is nothing easier; the context menu allows for adding a label to an opened tab simply by right-clicking and filling in the available field. On the downside, this option is only temporary and the label does not stick so as to be available after restarting Windows Explorer.
QTTabBar comes with a security measure against accidental closing of a tab by locking it. This way, closing it is prevented, but restarting Windows Explorer bypasses this setting.
Making the most of each tab's functionality depends pretty much on how and where you click it. For instance, right clicking on the drive/folder logo at the beginning of the tab will open up a menu providing access to the Desktop (in my case I was given only 10 elements) and My Computer, if the tab is opened on a drive. If you have a folder open, you will also have access to every location above it (it goes up one level until it reaches the root of the drive).
Another way to benefit from full functionality and easy access is to simply click on the drive/folder logo at the beginning of the tab. This action will give you access to all elements available under that location (e.g. if the tab is opened on a drive, performing this activity will give you quick access to all data available on the drive via menus and submenus ? check the last image at the end of the article). What is even greater is that the plugin uses Windows Explorer's preview function for the files to help you better identify the data with a simple hover of the mouse.
Thanks to the extended functionality of the tabs, browsing for a specific file is extremely quick, regardless of how deep is its location on the disk. Desktop elements are easily accessible directly from the tab and moving all over your computer is no longer a time consuming strenuous activity. And with the search function available at the end of the button bar, it is a cinch to look inside a location for a certain file or folder (just type in the name of the element and all matching results will be displayed).
Configuring the application to your own needs is nothing complicated but it is going to take a while to peruse all the options and functions available. You benefit from the full menu as the application is so malleable as to be customized in terms of where to open a new tab (to the right, to the left), which tab to be activated after the current one is closed or enable the view of the tab switcher (use Ctr+Tab to toggle between tabs). And this is only for tab handling,hal as you can also build your own list of applications to be accessed in the same manner as Groups.
Speaking of Groups, I suggest you create them from tab's context menu because setting them up from Options screen will result in utter failure. During our testing, we constantly received an error dialog each time we tried to add a new group or custom location. But, for some reason, creating them from tab's context menu worked like a charm. For applications, however, there were no difficulties and we managed to create quite a list of frequently used applications.
Options menu comprises lots of settings among which the creation of shortcut keys. To tell you the truth, the list is impressive, but you do not have to provide hotkeys for each action in there, but only for frequently used operations. But, if you decide to set all the hotkeys, there will be no double set as the software alerts you in case a specific shortcut already has a corresponding action set.
Miscellaneous settings permits hiding Windows Explorer's menu bar, enables alternate row color in details view, setting the dimensions for preview tooltip, as well as choosing what files to be previewed. Unfortunately, you cannot add any extension to the list and those available will have to be sufficient.
QTTabBar is truly impressive and adds plenty of functionality to Windows Explorer, but it has its own flaws, especially if you are an avid Internet Explorer user, because the app also integrates in Microsoft's web browser. This would actually be an asset, as you could open computer locations directly from the web browser, but one glitch we detected during our testing consisted in the fact that trying to open one location caused all of them to pop up in Windows Explorer windows and disappear from IE's toolbar. Also, a tiny error alerted us that a certain location could not be opened.
The plugin does an amazing job when used with Windows Explorer, increasing its value and extending its flexibility for managing files and folders. All the juice of the add-in is in the tabs and Options menu, as it provides plenty of configuration to satisfy an average user and all the settings can be exported for safe keeping the registry file (so you won't have to re-configure it at each installation). But you will also benefit from a set of mishaps like creating new groups via Options menu or the glitch with the integration in IE.
The Good
With QTTabBar Windows Explorer sure becomes more and more appealing as its functionality is extended to further limits and you don't have to spend a dime.
The plugin provides tabbed file managing in Windows Explorer and offers a plethora of options for personalizing it. Tabs, together with favorite groups and applications offer access to any part of your computer fast and easy, no matter how deep it is buried.
Accessing a closed tab is easy via History function of the plugin. A very useful option is merging the tabs of all opened Explorer windows, which will integrate all the tabs into a single easy to manage window.
Active/inactive tab(s) can be customized in terms of appearance for a better identification.
The Bad
The app is in serious need of finishing touches as not everything works quite right. There aren't too many issues to be addressed, but those available are quite nagging. Starting with the integration into IE which is quite annoying and ending with the error when trying to make a favorite group via Options menu, QTTabBar needs revision.
Although it is extremely easy to use, a help file explaining all the options would help a beginner user become aware of all the doors opened by the application in Windows Explorer.
Integration into Internet Explorer was definitely a bad move as it is most likely for the user to become annoyed. Plus, the computer location tabs are not working right.
The Truth
QTTabBar is amazing as it is, with all the flaws and mishaps, but with a little work it could turn out to be one of the best add-ins for Windows Explorer. It adds to Windows Explorer a quality that any modern file manager integrates by default: tabbed browsing.
Maybe with a little more effort, it will also provide dual pane view in Windows Explorer, but at this stage, although it is in need of a strong finishing touch, the app is truly and utterly amazing, allowing fast access to any part of your computer.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
