Q-Dir 11.89

★ Winner of Best File Explorer in 2017.

Overview

Q-Dir is a handy alternative to Windows Explorer in a fast and easy access and control of your hard disks, network folders, USB flash drives, floppy disks and other storage devices. The latter has been a first-aid kit to newbies while advanced users may find it outdated, and reduced in features. One way or another, Windows Explorer is steadily losing in popularity to more advanced file management applications. Q-Dir has been designed to replace WinExplorer in full. Having tried this app out we can say it has done a good job of it. This lightweight file management utility allows users to browse up to four windows simultaneously. Four-pane file explorer offers the quadric-view navigation and file management while maintaining the standard Explorer options and menus.

Q-Dir is light, convenient and customizable. It features color coded file filters, various layouts and columns a user can customize, quick access to favorites folder, command line, and more. It makes the file management process easy. Q-Dir is available in portable and installed versions.

Installation

Installation process is transparent. A user can choose who gets to use the program. The publisher's website says it does not require an installation. You can just rename Q-Dir_Installer.exe to Q-Dir.exe, and you are ready to manage your files. However, we have followed the wizard steps to see what this program has in bundle. It turns out pretty much nothing. So, thumbs up for respecting users' choice.

When launched for the first time, the license window appears – it is freeware, and you are welcome to check out other products by the same developer.

Q-Dir is suitable for Microsoft Windows : Servers 2000/2003/2005 98/XP/Vista and Windows-7 plus Windows-8 x64/x86.

Interface

Once launched, Q-Dir opens in four panes with same commands and equally available features. While beginners may find it difficult working with 4 panels, savvy users will appreciate the feature. There are tiny buttons at the top of the window. They allow users to choose the pane view – one panel, 2 panels, 3 panels. While it may be difficult to figure out for the first time since the buttons are microscopic, but this is where the difficulties end. Searching and working with specific files and folders is easy: delete, copy, paste or run functions are obvious.

For better user experience, Q-Dir offers the zoom feature for the visually impaired. There is also a hot-key combination, and a fast access to the command line and power off button. There is a Help menu in Q-Dir, and it is rather self-explanatory and short to the basics.

This program is available in 25 languages and some 6 color schemes with funny names like “I like Barbie”, as well as 3 or 4 main skins slightly differing from one another. One interface drawback is when you apply a different color scheme some window elements retain the default look while some adopt the new one. As a result, the panels look somewhat odd. The settings menu is rich in options to set the colors, navigation preferences and inside views. Configuration options are comprehensive and allow for detailed customization of the software performance.

Despite its simplistic looks, Q-Dir is intuitive and friendly, with drag-and-drop feature simplifying the copy-paste tasks. Working with tabs is challenging enough for four panes. So, either use the mouse, or switch to two panel view, like that of Total Commander. Filtering and sorting files and folders according to file type, size and date modified is simple and efficient.

Pros

- Ease of access, management and navigation.
- Drag-and-drop and many view features.
- Management of various storage devices and files and folders simultaneously.
- Tabbed browsing means one panel can open several folders in it, and organize them in tabs the way browsers do.
- Convenient extras, like layout customization, easy access to Favorites folder and command line.
- The application is tiny and light and does not load system's resources.

Cons

Color schemes do not work correctly, but when you use the default scheme everything looks fine.

Alternatives

Total Commander is a file management veteran for Windows OS. If you need built-in FTP client and extensive features, opt for Total Commander full version available for EUR 32. FreeCommander is a freeware alternative to Windows Explorer. Directory Opus is a commercial file manager for Windows OS. It provides a lot more power and control than Windows Explorer or any other file manager on the market. Midnight Commander (Linux) is an open source file manager with a feature-rich interface.

Conclusion

For the sake of speed, ease and simplicity, we recommend you give this little app a try. It is free, safe and lightweight, and you might switch to it from Windows Explorer altogether.