Xplorer² Xplorer² 4.5.0.1 for Windows

by Nikos Bozinis

Avg. Rating 3.3 (314 votes)

File Details

File Size 2.6 MB
License Shareware, $29.95
Operating System Windows (All)
Date Added
Total Downloads 11,280
Publisher Nikos Bozinis
Homepage Xplorer²

Publisher's Description

Xplorer² is a powerful tabbed dual-pane file manager, including Omni-Finder, a find files module that simply outclasses all known search tools.

Latest Reviews

dsquared

dsquared reviewed v4.5.0.1 on Apr 8, 2022

Premium versions are sold with "Life Time" keys - which last 2 years - Do not waste your money on the premium versions as they are a scam!

compuable

compuable reviewed v2.1.0.1 on Mar 28, 2012

Pros
Very useful but limited by disabled options in the Xplorer2 Lite version (vs. the $30 shareware version)

Cons
Can be a somewhat of hit-or-miss proposition and extremely frustrating experience while using it; because many of the 'more advanced' options (those that are made unavailable unless you upgrade to Pro) are not clearly labeled as such.

I actually used Xplorer2 (as well as its predecessor: 2xExplorer) Lite version; a dual-pane file manager for Microsoft Windows operating systems, for several years and enjoyed it very much as an alternative to Windows Explorer... However, I gradually became disenchanted that the more advanced features are restricted to the Pro version. For example: As opposed to the professional version; this lesser version basically lacks customizability and any "search command." Additionally, Check Duplicates and Compare Subfolders functions are disabled in the 'free' lite version. Three other man features of the Xplorer2 Professional version not present in the lite version are advanced search (Omni-Finder), full Unicode support and robust transfer.

Summary
Often time's free versions of software are independent of their paid upgrade, however Xplorer2 Lite is simply Xplorer2 with more than just a few of the far more useful options turned off. This can make for an extremely frustrating experience while using it, because many of the options (those that are made unavailable) are not clearly labeled as such. But for me, the biggest negative is that you still must use the Windows Explorer search function in order to search for any files. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not really complaining because Xplorer2 Lite, which is offered free for personal and academic use and is actually an overall useful program; however the fact remains that it is - simply put - the free version of the far more useful paid software (which incidentally only costs around $30 bucks and well worth it; for what you get, particularly if you fancy the advanced features).

Side Note: Be sure to check out the Feature Comparison Table at the developer's website. This table compares Windows Explorer (windows 7 version), and the lite and professional versions of xplorer2

oompoop

oompoop reviewed v2.1.0.1 on Mar 28, 2012

21 day trial period and the licence is $ 29,95 (written on the homepage).
I didn't test it because I have my Total Commander since years and then there is absolutely no reason looking for another.

pjafrombbay

pjafrombbay reviewed v2.0.0.3 on Nov 12, 2011

Just installed ver. 2.0.0.3 - this is still a great file manager.

RWW

RWW reviewed v1.8.1.13 Beta on Jun 10, 2011

Wow! What if Hilbert is right? Could it be possible that this program I've used for years is trash and I just didn't know it? My values must be out of whack.....me thinking this has helped me a lot and I appreciate it. Will have to check into rehab.

pjafrombbay

pjafrombbay reviewed v1.8.1.4 on Apr 22, 2011

I have version 1.8.1.3 (and really like this software). I used the "Check for up-grade" link and was told I have the latest version. So I went to Zabcat's website (http://www.zabkat.com/) and sure enough version 1.8.1.3 is listed as the latest.

So where does version 1.8.1.4 come from. I think I will wait till the developer lists the latest version on their website before downloading.

Peter

zzark

zzark reviewed v1.8.1.2 on Jan 26, 2011

Wow, Hilbert sure got carried away.
Time for fileforum to impose a character limit. (get it?)
Anyway, this program is great. I even paid for a pro version.

umeca74

umeca74 reviewed v1.8.0.17 Beta on Nov 10, 2010

re: Hilbert's review, what a load of bolox!
clearly you don't know of xplorer2's robust copy engine!
if you spend half time writing without thinking and more time looking at the programs you are 'reviewing' you would do us all a favor
don't quit the day job yet ;)

Hilbert

Hilbert reviewed v1.8.0.17 Beta on Nov 10, 2010

1. First, this is not freeware, extended trialware would be a better description as it has a nag screen. (Why doesn't Fileforum acknowledge the difference in such listings?).

2. One wonders why writers of Explorer-replacements bother to write such software at all when they don't even offer all the necessary basics of file management? (Must be the most obvious project of uni programming assignments as so many continue to screw it up).

2.1 The basics: Before adding useless bubble and floss, the writers of file management software should fix the glaring anomalies (missing features) in Windows Explorer.

3. The most striking and long-standing missing feature in Explorer is that there is no protection for files in a destination directory if you copy another dir of the same name over it. For example, file1.txt in destination Dir-1 will get clobbered if you overwrite it with another Dir-1 also containing file1.txt.

Sometimes this is useful, often is isn't (and Windows Explorer's lack of an overwrite warning for each individual file is the exact antithesis of any decent file protection/data integrity management etc--and it's a glaring A1 example of a typical half-completed Microsoft stuff-up--now being perpetuated by developers such as the writer of Xplorer^2.)

4. Better programs, such as Directory Opus (and to a lesser extent FileBoss) automatically warn the user when there's a file in the destination Dir with the same name, they give you options to (a) skip the copy, (b) overwrite file in destination dir, (c) rename a dupe filename, and (d) automatically rename all dupe filenames in dest. dir. (This is the basic minimum option set, there should be more.)

So why doesn't the writer of Xplorer^2 and those of similar ilk also do it? ...After all, it's such a blinding obvious problem!!

5. The logic for omitting such a vital facility in a file management utility simply defies me. Anyone who's ever had to sort out a hard disk with say 600k to 1.5 million files on it (easy numbers for a terabyte drive) will know how difficult it is to consolidate duplicate data / possible backups etc. without overwriting new data with old without such protection built into the copy/move features. It seems that the writers of Explorer-replacement have never really used their products in the real world of IT service/maintenance. The evidence for my assertion is simply overwhelming.

Clearly, it's why in review columns such as this, one regularly sees programs such as Directory Opus getting such a wrap/rave review at the expense of the product being reviewed.

Anyone who wants to earn a quick buck, write an Explorer replacement program and just copy what Directory Opus does in the copy/move operations then sell it for a sensible price (DO's price is simply outrageous). (And you'd make even more of a killing if you'd improve on DO's bare-bones features such as offering presets etc.)

In the meantime, I've uninstalled this toy Xplorer^2.

some guy

some guy reviewed v1.8.0.17 Beta on Nov 9, 2010

make it a boot-able CD

Avg. Rating 3.3 (314 votes)
Your Rating

Someone reviewed v on Mar 19, 2023

Pros:

Cons:

Bottom Line:

Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

dsquared

dsquared reviewed v4.5.0.1 on Apr 8, 2022

Pros: I preferred it to MS file explorer because of it's multi pane feature. I liked the free version so much that in 2020, I bought a life time key for the professional version. What a mistake!

Apparently "Life time means just 2 years! The key has expired and I am required to buy another "Life time Key" if I want to continue using this. Stay clear of the premium scam versions

Cons: Professional version is a RIP OFF

Bottom Line: Premium versions are sold with "Life Time" keys - which last 2 years - Do not waste your money on the premium versions as they are a scam!

compuable

compuable reviewed v2.1.0.1 on Mar 28, 2012

Pros
Very useful but limited by disabled options in the Xplorer2 Lite version (vs. the $30 shareware version)

Cons
Can be a somewhat of hit-or-miss proposition and extremely frustrating experience while using it; because many of the 'more advanced' options (those that are made unavailable unless you upgrade to Pro) are not clearly labeled as such.

I actually used Xplorer2 (as well as its predecessor: 2xExplorer) Lite version; a dual-pane file manager for Microsoft Windows operating systems, for several years and enjoyed it very much as an alternative to Windows Explorer... However, I gradually became disenchanted that the more advanced features are restricted to the Pro version. For example: As opposed to the professional version; this lesser version basically lacks customizability and any "search command." Additionally, Check Duplicates and Compare Subfolders functions are disabled in the 'free' lite version. Three other man features of the Xplorer2 Professional version not present in the lite version are advanced search (Omni-Finder), full Unicode support and robust transfer.

Summary
Often time's free versions of software are independent of their paid upgrade, however Xplorer2 Lite is simply Xplorer2 with more than just a few of the far more useful options turned off. This can make for an extremely frustrating experience while using it, because many of the options (those that are made unavailable) are not clearly labeled as such. But for me, the biggest negative is that you still must use the Windows Explorer search function in order to search for any files. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not really complaining because Xplorer2 Lite, which is offered free for personal and academic use and is actually an overall useful program; however the fact remains that it is - simply put - the free version of the far more useful paid software (which incidentally only costs around $30 bucks and well worth it; for what you get, particularly if you fancy the advanced features).

Side Note: Be sure to check out the Feature Comparison Table at the developer's website. This table compares Windows Explorer (windows 7 version), and the lite and professional versions of xplorer2

oompoop

oompoop reviewed v2.1.0.1 on Mar 28, 2012

21 day trial period and the licence is $ 29,95 (written on the homepage).
I didn't test it because I have my Total Commander since years and then there is absolutely no reason looking for another.

pjafrombbay

pjafrombbay reviewed v2.0.0.3 on Nov 12, 2011

Just installed ver. 2.0.0.3 - this is still a great file manager.

RWW

RWW reviewed v1.8.1.13 Beta on Jun 10, 2011

Wow! What if Hilbert is right? Could it be possible that this program I've used for years is trash and I just didn't know it? My values must be out of whack.....me thinking this has helped me a lot and I appreciate it. Will have to check into rehab.

pjafrombbay

pjafrombbay reviewed v1.8.1.4 on Apr 22, 2011

I have version 1.8.1.3 (and really like this software). I used the "Check for up-grade" link and was told I have the latest version. So I went to Zabcat's website (http://www.zabkat.com/) and sure enough version 1.8.1.3 is listed as the latest.

So where does version 1.8.1.4 come from. I think I will wait till the developer lists the latest version on their website before downloading.

Peter

zzark

zzark reviewed v1.8.1.2 on Jan 26, 2011

Wow, Hilbert sure got carried away.
Time for fileforum to impose a character limit. (get it?)
Anyway, this program is great. I even paid for a pro version.

umeca74

umeca74 reviewed v1.8.0.17 Beta on Nov 10, 2010

re: Hilbert's review, what a load of bolox!
clearly you don't know of xplorer2's robust copy engine!
if you spend half time writing without thinking and more time looking at the programs you are 'reviewing' you would do us all a favor
don't quit the day job yet ;)

Hilbert

Hilbert reviewed v1.8.0.17 Beta on Nov 10, 2010

1. First, this is not freeware, extended trialware would be a better description as it has a nag screen. (Why doesn't Fileforum acknowledge the difference in such listings?).

2. One wonders why writers of Explorer-replacements bother to write such software at all when they don't even offer all the necessary basics of file management? (Must be the most obvious project of uni programming assignments as so many continue to screw it up).

2.1 The basics: Before adding useless bubble and floss, the writers of file management software should fix the glaring anomalies (missing features) in Windows Explorer.

3. The most striking and long-standing missing feature in Explorer is that there is no protection for files in a destination directory if you copy another dir of the same name over it. For example, file1.txt in destination Dir-1 will get clobbered if you overwrite it with another Dir-1 also containing file1.txt.

Sometimes this is useful, often is isn't (and Windows Explorer's lack of an overwrite warning for each individual file is the exact antithesis of any decent file protection/data integrity management etc--and it's a glaring A1 example of a typical half-completed Microsoft stuff-up--now being perpetuated by developers such as the writer of Xplorer^2.)

4. Better programs, such as Directory Opus (and to a lesser extent FileBoss) automatically warn the user when there's a file in the destination Dir with the same name, they give you options to (a) skip the copy, (b) overwrite file in destination dir, (c) rename a dupe filename, and (d) automatically rename all dupe filenames in dest. dir. (This is the basic minimum option set, there should be more.)

So why doesn't the writer of Xplorer^2 and those of similar ilk also do it? ...After all, it's such a blinding obvious problem!!

5. The logic for omitting such a vital facility in a file management utility simply defies me. Anyone who's ever had to sort out a hard disk with say 600k to 1.5 million files on it (easy numbers for a terabyte drive) will know how difficult it is to consolidate duplicate data / possible backups etc. without overwriting new data with old without such protection built into the copy/move features. It seems that the writers of Explorer-replacement have never really used their products in the real world of IT service/maintenance. The evidence for my assertion is simply overwhelming.

Clearly, it's why in review columns such as this, one regularly sees programs such as Directory Opus getting such a wrap/rave review at the expense of the product being reviewed.

Anyone who wants to earn a quick buck, write an Explorer replacement program and just copy what Directory Opus does in the copy/move operations then sell it for a sensible price (DO's price is simply outrageous). (And you'd make even more of a killing if you'd improve on DO's bare-bones features such as offering presets etc.)

In the meantime, I've uninstalled this toy Xplorer^2.

some guy

some guy reviewed v1.8.0.17 Beta on Nov 9, 2010

make it a boot-able CD

Plumber

Plumber reviewed v1.8.0.0 on Jan 23, 2010

The main attraction for me is the performance. I don't have to wait and wait for it to load or do what I tell it to do. Most other file managers I tried were slow and/or buggy and/or had annoying limitations.

rip_pit

rip_pit reviewed v1.8.0.0 on Dec 2, 2009

for a general review it's an impressive windows explorer replacement from xp to seven. Tons of usefull functions. Easy to use for a basic usage but very powerfull for advanced users. A must have!

V1.8.0.0 changelog:
http://www.zabkat.com/changes.txt

anonymouscowturd

anonymouscowturd reviewed v1.8.0.0 on Dec 2, 2009

Good, but not as good as Directory Opus. However it does seem to start a bit quicker. Swings and round abouts...

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