DiskInternals Reader for Total Commander

One of the most popular file managers for Windows is Total Commander. Known for its two-sided interface, this already veteran application comes with a generous feature set for quick and convenient file handling. However, accessing Linux partitions in Total Commander is not possible by default but, with a little help from a plugin, this can be achieved as well.

The plugin in question is called DiskInternals Reader for Total Commander and comes as a WFX addon for this file manager. To install it, you must navigate to the Configuration menu of Total Commander, select the Options Window, then click on the Plugins section and choose to configure the file system plugins. 

Once the WFX file of the Reader is added and loaded, Total Commander will be able to read disks that are not accessible in Windows by default. On a dual-boot system, it will be able to open EXT2x EXT3 and EXT4 file systems of the Linux operating system. In other words, you will be able to access and view the content stored on Linux partitions while you are running Windows. 

The plugin also provides one-click access to other file systems aside from the Linux-specific ones mentioned above. It can open FAT and NTFS file systems, HFS and HFS+, RomFS, APFS, UFS2, ReiserFS and Reiser4, exFAT, various RAID arrays, as well as GPT, Apple and BSD partitions.

Unfortunately, it is only designed to allow read-only access to the alternative file system in question. That means will not be able to make any changes to the files on the target partition or manage them as you would others on Windows. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it guarantees that the functioning of the secondary operating system will not be affected by your actions. 

DiskInternals Reader for Total Commander delivers a native reader for alternative file systems in the form of a plugin for Total Commander. However, it does not grant you full access to the secondary partitions, as it can only allow you to view the stored content and not interact with it.