All-In-One File Manager

Have you ever searched a needle in a haystack? Most of you didn't, but I'm sure you've come very close to this saying. How many times haven't you lost your keys somewhere in the house, or heard your cell ringing and you had no idea where it was? Well I know I did. Not because I'm untidy but because, sometimes, the stars are in such a inconvenient junction that it simply blurs my eyes away from my missing belongings.

The same thing happens with computer discipline. Downloading a file in a hurry and forgetting the location of the directory, misplacing your saved document is a common, somehow strange feature of most PC users. With all those hard attempts and “neveragains” ….we still keep doing it. And there comes the saving ”But” which enlightens our mind, our hearts and our wasted spare time and tells us that someone, somewhere, somehow managed to solve all these stressful problems.

If Windows Explorer couldn't do it, if Total Commander came really close to it, well there you go, a software that has most of our problems blown to dust. It is not perfect, it is not unique, it is not free, but it looks and feels great. SpeedCommander 11 is apparently one of those usual file managers, that has all your files split in two sections, drag-and-drop feature from side to side and for those who know how to use it, a FTP connection. Yes, it does all that but even more, so let me be a little more precise. The first thing that pleased me is that this program has a browsing feature. So you can browse both the Internet and your computer at the same time. It uses a Mozilla engine but for downloads, the application appeals to the default browser. One can access the favorites menu and make use of the Back and Forward buttons for they handle up to 20 different entries whether they are Web or computer browsing.

The built-in compression wizard is capable of squeezing most of your files into different types of archives using both known ( WinRar, WinZip, WinAce) and less known (SQX Archiver, X-TAR) engines, with one or two versions for each type and a lot of customizable options. One can choose the type of archive between standard, multivolume and self-extracting, the compression rate and the encryption method from no encryption and normal one up to more sophisticated AES 128bit and 256bit method. In the Advanced window, you can preserve high – precision time stamps, security attributes, additional data streams. Along the standard self-extracting archive, SpeedCommander 11 comes with two more types: SFX with list view and SFX for software installation. One can also choose between six different common prompt languages: English, Danish, French, Russian, German and Dutch. The extracting files can be targeted to a default folder at your choice and a command can be performed once the archive is extracted. Eventually, you can have your own words popped up before the extraction is executed and you can also choose three different default set of buttons (OK, Yes/No, OK/Cancel). The target OS you want to extract the archive and the size of the volume, from 360KB to 700MB and User defined can also be custom set. Recovery data offers protection against damaged archives.

SpeedCommander has also an Add-in interface, where you can use additional plugins, the communication being established via COM. Macros can also be created and used by this powerful application. FTP connection has also been enhanced, for it supports different types of FTP such as SFTP (Secure FTP over SSH) or encrypted FTP+SSL.

Settings and Options are being taken care of, too. Files and folders can easily be viewed in different ways, folder favorites can be set so you can instantly access it no matter the current disk or folder, System folders are now reachable whether they are hidden or not. You are able to create your own custom toolbar, change the position of the two-windowed section between horizontal and vertical or switch between default color schemes and your custom ones.

SpeedCommander ensures fully access to Start, My Computer and Desktop items and all these one button away from one another. DOS Command Prompt can also be targeted for their links are placed in the default toolbar. Hot keys are also enabled but one has to check their use for no softwares use standard shortcuts.

But as I was saying, this application isn't as perfect as it appears to be. The first unexpected feature that came to my mouse was that the Help Topics were all written in German although – according to the installation language – all other indications were of English origin. So if you find yourself in a help situation and don't have a German conversation guide at hand I suggest taking the Google way to solve it. My second problem is that the application should have a fully capable stand-alone browser, for the idea is definitely great. I mean that downloading files should look like any other copy function within the application, the drag and drop feature in the case of image files to be possible and also to embrace the multiple tabs browsing.

The Good

This application comes with great looks, multiple customization options, a built in browser that should be perfected, and enhanced special features for archiving, ftp connection and add-in plugins.

The Bad

It gulps a little more memory than other common file managers, the Help window written in German seems a little bit selfish and the browsing option is to be worked on.

The Truth

A great software, which has a lot of “cool” features, practical, customizable, good looking and quite fun to work with.


Here are some snapshots of the application in action: