11 Best Free File Manager for Windows 10

April 15, 2019 By Madhuparna

Majority of the Windows users would rather prefer using the default file manager of the operating system. However, the tech-savvy users would want to try something different from just the default Window’s File Explorer. Although the current version of the Window’s File Explorer comes packed with many features these days, there are still some advanced features missing in the new version. This is the primary reason why the tech freaks prefer a third-party file manager for Windows.

While the features and functionalities offered by the third-party file managers may appear a bit complex, or may be even unnecessary, but once you have grasp on them, you would not want to return to the default file manager.

We expect the third-party apps to advanced features like History, file viewer, Bookmarks, Dual panes, Advanced File Search, Filtered View, FTP Support, Folder Compare, keyboard shortcuts, and more. For your convenience, we have created a comprehensive list of some of the best file managers for Windows.

Directory Opus

Directory Opus, an old-time file manager software comes with a clean intuitive user interface that allows you to make a choice between a single-pane or a double-pane view. If you want to open multiple directories, you can easily do so through the tabs.

The software also features a file tree that allows the user to toggle through the directories easily, so that they are able to find a specific file. However, among its major features is the search option that lets user search for files across the directories easily and quickly. Another feature that helps you work with multiple files is the option to add tags and description to each file. You can also assign other indicators like colors, icons, and ratings to each file making it convenient to find out the right file.

Moreover, it supports metadata, allows renaming of files in batches, in-built support for FTP that helps smooth upload and download of files without using a third-party app, support for various archive formats like Zip, RAR, etc, integrated image uploader and converter, and so on.

Price: Free 30-day trial available; Upgrade starts from $49

FreeCommander

FreeCommander lives upto its name by offering its services free of cost. This file manager for Windows comes with a dual-pane interface that can show you two different folders concurrently. This makes it convenient for you to copy or move files between two different folders. You can also add folder tabs for each pane for that added comfort as you browse through your data.

Although it’s simple in terms of appearance, it does offer a lot of features that include the splitting and merging files, creating and authenticating checksum, zipping and unzipping of file archives, renaming batches, shredding files, and so on. Best of all, this tool can also open network drives apart from local files and folders. The only downside is, it does not support cloud services or OneDrive. However, in terms of features, it’s a great alternative to the Windows own file explorer.

Total Commander

Total Commander is a veteran file manager software that uses a classic layout with two vertical panes. However, with each update it adds some advanced features like cloud support storage services and Windows 10 original features. If you want to transfer large number of files, then this the best tool for you. You can check progress, pause and resume transfers, and even set speed limit.

It supports multiple formats for archives such as ZIP, RAR, GZ, TAR, and more. It also allows you to install different types of plug-ins for file formats that are not originally supported by this tool. Moreover, it also helps you compare files based on file synchronization, split and merge big files, or content. Renaming multiple files using the multi-name feature simultaneously is also an option.

A clean interface facilitates fast navigation, features keyboard shortcuts that are customizable, and an integrated file archiving tool. Its enhanced search feature is a bonus compared to other file managers.

Price: Free 30-Day trial available; Upgrade available at $34.5

Explorer++

Explorer++ is a free and open source file manager designed for Windows that offers a great experience to the Windows users. Among its many features are folder tabs, integration for OneDrive, and a dual-pane interface to be able to browse your files much easily. Moreover, you can bookmark the tabs and also save a directory listing.

Its interface is customizable and the file browser allows you to use all the standard file functions that include activities like filtering, sorting, moving, along with other cutting-edge features like splitting and combining files. What’s more? It also allows you to change the dates and attributes of the files.

The app looks more like it was specially designed for the Windows XP platform. IFor those looking for an uncluttered interface, its interface is much cleaner in comparison to the FreeCommander. Best of all, it can be downloaded in both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows without any hassles of installation since this file manager for Windows is only available as a compact software.

Price: Free and open source

Q-Dir (the Quad Explorer)

While most of the file managers take pride in their double-pane interface, Q-dir offers a four-pane interface and that’s how it’s called the Quad Explorer. The chief intention of this tool is to manage multiple folders at the same time. When you look at its default interface, it appears as if developers created a collage of the single file manager they developed.

What’s interesting is, it allows you to change the number of panes and organize them in vertical and horizontal position. Additionally, you can also create folder tabs in each of the panes. You can even customize it to give it a more natural look. What’s more? It also allows you to save a specific arrangement in a file in order for you to be able to continue your work on some other system, or save the state if there’s a need to reinstall the operating system.

One Commander

One Commander is another great alternative to the native Windows file explorer and the best part is, it’s completely free. It’s known for its advanced and attractive interface that comes with two different themes. But, if you are looking for the dual-pane view, the column view of the tool should be great. Additionally, One Commander features tabs just like other “Commander” file managers that makes it convenient for you to work with several directories at the same time.

Among its other features are an address bar displaying all the sub-folders in the existing directory (just as the folder trees), a history panel on the right side of the interface making it easier to navigate earlier files and directories, other usual features of a file manager, support for integrated preview of audio, video, and text files, and much more. Overall, it’s a well-designed file manager in the category.

Xplorer²

Xplorer² is a smart and sleek file manager for Windows that’s available in two versions. It is one of the most modern looking file managers in the category that offers you an option to choose from a ribbon-style interface or a more conventional menu bar.

This file manager comes packed with unique features that are surprisingly very useful like the option to select multiple files at one time with no risk of de-selecting them unintentionally by clicking somewhere else, option for fast identification of duplicate files, and the option to color-code making it easier to identify files and directories at first sight.

Its default layout features two horizontal panes parallel to each other along with the usual file tree along the left of the interface similar to the Explorer. This can be fairly customized to maintain a neat arrangement, but the vertical pane appears to be a more logical choice for those who want to transfer files. The premium version is more for the businesses that facilitates network distribution and priority support.

Price: Free 21-Day trial available; Upgrade available at $29.95

WinDirStat

WinDirStat is another open source file manager for Windows that’s designed specially to help you find out the amount of disk space is in use and what is being used on it. It basically helps you to view the daily usage statistics and offers cleanup tools for different version of Windows.

The app analyses any drive or directory that you select followed by displaying all your files for viewing. It allocates color codes to each file type based on the space it consumes, thereby, allowing you to view which file consumes most space. For instance, the files that take up most space in your drive or directory will be colored blue.

The benefit lies in the fact that once you have determined where the most disk space is being used, you can accordingly decide where you want to reduce the usage and where to save. WinDirStat is packed with features that makes it easy to manage your files including a setting that automatically removes files without using the Recycle Bin. It features an intuitive interface that’s easy to use and offers a quick learning curve.

Price: Free and open source

XYplorer

It’s another great file manager for Windows that offers a dual-pane. Among its major features are, supporting tabs and each tab getting assigned with a specific configuration, so that it stays the same even when the application is not running. Additionally, it features a folder tree on the left of the interface that makes navigation smooth.

Highlighting the path taking it to the current directory, mini tree feature allowing you to navigate between paths and directories used previously, supporting regular expressions, fuzzy matching, content search, advanced patterns, or Boolean logic, search feature that helps you to identify duplicate files while searching at multiple locations, operation queuing to defining a string of actions and carry them out one after another, supporting commands defined by users, and tagging of files or folders to easily organize them, are some of its crucial features that makes it stand out among the competition.

The search function of the app that can be performed right from the address bar, though, is its major feature. It has a host of other features that one can explore.

Price: Free 30-Day trial available; Upgrade starts from $39.95

Files&Folder Lite

Filees&Folders Lite is made by the same developers as Torrex, the torrent client. It comes with clean and tidy interface that offers a super easy way to access your files and folders via the expandable Navigation window located on the left side of the interface. Apart from the system folders that are already present, you can also add more folders by clicking on the + button.

It supports FTP and OneDrive, but Dropbox, Yandex Drive, or Google Drive are not supported. Best of all, you do not need a separate app to open photos and videos. It supports folder archives in multiple formats, and even compress and decompress.

Further, you can select from the limited themes or arrange it using the theme available on the system. You can also set a custom background from your gallery or download a background from Binge that automatically changes at regular intervals.

Clover

While Clover offers you the basics of Windows Explorer, it also helps you get rid of the hassles of multiple instances open at one time. Unlike the complete standalone file managers, Clover is in fact, a nice little app that adds the web-browser type tabs to the Explorer easily.

It also come with useful bookmark bar for your mostly used files and folders. It’s much easier than Window’s native Quick Access links since it does not need you to scroll, or merge your favorites with the other directories. You can simply drag the folder into the space below the tab titles in order to bookmark a folder.

A good file manager for Windows can make life much easier for the tech geeks, so find your best from the list and sort your files easily.

I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares

10 best file manager software for Windows 10

• Windows File Explorer is not safe from bugs and glitches and sometimes you just wish there was a better alternative.
• The good news is that there are a lot of other solutions so here are the best file management software.
• If you’re looking for other such tools, you can find them in our File Management section.
• Our Software Hub is full of interesting and useful utility software.

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Many tech-savvy users aren’t happy with Windows Explorer and this is why many are choosing a different file manager software.

Windows Exphttps://download.winzip.com/gl/oemg/winzip25-p008.exelorer lacks certain features that third-party file managers have such as advanced search, bulk rename, FTP client, tabbed interface, dual panes, and this can be a deal-breaker for some advanced users.

If you’re looking for the best file manager software for Windows 10, read on to find out.

What’s the best file manager software for Windows 10?

1. WinZip

WinZip is by far the most well-known archiver software but it’s also an excellent file management software.

This software is very good at protecting your files because it can encrypt them with banking-level technology. WinZip can also convert your files to the PDF format which you can password afterward.

Managing your files also implies sharing them and WinZip also has cloud integration with Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and more. You can upload the files and send the link to anybody.

Another easy way of sharing the files is to ZIP them in a smaller file that can be sent as an attachment to an email.

Backing up your files will be also easier by compressing them with WinZip and depositing them to the chosen location but this process can be also automatic.

Let’s review some of the best features of WinZip:

• Decompress almost any major file formats, including ISO
• Unsurpassable compression and decompression speed
• Old and unused files detection with built-in Cleaner Tools
• Compress files to reduce email attachment size
• Easy access and management of your local, network, or cloud files
• Splitting and joining files options

WinZip

2. Frigate3

If you’re looking for the best file manager for Windows 10, you should also check out Frigate3.

This is a highly configurable software that also features a modern, transparent interface.

An interesting feature for Frigate3 is the built-in size-manager feature. It’s extremely useful to find big files on your PC so that you can delete them and regain a lot of hard disk space.

Another nice addition to this software is a built-in text editor which can come in extremely handy if you’re not a big fan of Notepad.

Here are other notable features of Frigate3:

• Ability to view FTP and files and archives easily
• Built-in file viewer for popular file types
• Compatible with all major archive file types
• Folder comparison
• Advanced search system
• Multi-rename feature

3. Directory Opus

Another file manager that you should try is Opus Directory. It’s easy to use and customize.

Some interesting features of this file manager are the ability to edit the metadata and the built-in FTP client, so it can be really helpful for more advanced users.

To really take advantage of the dual pane feature, Opus Directory comes with a viewer pane that lets you preview files and single or dual file display with single or dual folder trees.

This tool also features folder tabs so you can manage directories in a similar way as the tabs in a browser.

Here are several most notable features that this software offers:

• Ability to easily sort, group, or filter files
• Can assign status icons, colors, ratings, or tags to your files in order and organize them easier
• Support for various archive formats, such as Zip, 7-Zip, RAR
• Synchronization and duplicate finder features
• CD/DVD burning
• Support for jump lists and indexed search

4. Total Commander

Total Commander is one of the most known and probably the best file manager for Windows 10. This application has a long history and an abundance of features.

This tool has a Drag and Drop interface compatible with File Explorer and it also has Command-line support that allows you to launch programs with certain parameters.

Other features for advanced users is the built-in file viewer that allows you to view files in hex, binary, or text format and the FTP client.

Total Commander also has the ability to split or combine large files.

As for other features, here are few notable ones:

• Multi-rename tool
• File compare feature
• Ability to split or combine large files
• Duplicate finder
• Advanced file search that can search inside archives
• Ability to handle all popular file archive types

5. FreeCommander

Another great file management software is definitely FreeCommander. It’s convenient to use because the dual-pane can be configured horizontally or vertically and you can also switch to a single pane mode.

The user interface is also smart, using tabs to allow you to work with multiple folders easily and the optional tree view also helps organizing your files a lot better.

As for Windows integration, FreeComander offers quick access to system folders, Control Panel and Start Menu and even a DOS command line.

Here are some of the other features of FreeCommander:

• Support for ZIP archives, other formats require plugins
• Structureless view for both files and folders
• Quick access to system folders, Control Panel and Start Menu
• Ability to easily copy, move, delete, or rename files/folders
• Ability to search files inside archives
• Checksum verification
• Works with file paths larger than 255 characters
• Built-in FTP/SFTP client