Windows Explorer - good alternatives

Search, copy and view folders - Windows Explorer is essential for every user. Nevertheless, there are alternatives that surpass the standard tool. We present the three best.

FreeCommander XE: Comprehensive Explorer alternative

With the "FreeCommander XE", window chaos is a thing of the past: The free explorer shows you two different folders side by side. You can easily move files and folders using drag & drop.

• All known views are available to you: You can display the files as a list or with thumbnails. You determine the size of the icons for each window yourself.
• Known file formats such as PDFs, Word files or images are even shown in a separate preview window.
• Of course, the Explorer also supports Zip and Rar files. You can open and edit the archives directly - without unpacking the files.

Multi Commander: The double Windows Explorer

The "Multi Commander" also scores with a dual panel. In addition to the standard features, the freeware has many other functions:

• For example, you can open multiple tabs in each window. How to quickly switch between all important directories. You can also move your files here using drag & drop.
• In addition, the freeware integrates your FTP server and lets you rename several files at once. You can even convert images to different formats. If that's not enough for you, you will find other useful plugins in the settings.
• The best: Multi Commander is also available as a portable version. So you have your personal Explorer with you wherever you go.

TeraCopy: The perfect Explorer addition

Windows Explorer still weakens in another crucial point: the speed. The free tool "TeraCopy" speeds up your copying processes and shows the progress clearly.

• TeraCopy cuts a fine figure, especially with a large number of files: the data is copied within a few seconds. You can also pause the process at any time and continue it at a later time.
• The only disadvantage: TeraCopy is not a full Explorer replacement. So you have to install one of the other tools.

If you decide against the FreeCommander, you should also install a packing program. In another article we will introduce you to the best alternatives to WinZip.