We know quite a few alternatives to Windows Explorer. XYplorer, FreeCommander, Explorer ++, OneCommander, you name it. All of these alternatives make dragging files easier than Windows Explorer. Tasks like copying, moving, deleting, renaming and editing go seriously smoother. And it can be even easier with the help of Q-Dir, a good alternative to Windows Explorer.
To get started with Q-Dir, we first visit the website of SoftwareOK. The Q of Q-Dir stands for quad. The program therefore describes itself as the quad directory explorer. You need to be careful with the setup of Q-Dir, because the program is immediately portable, in Dutch and can be installed automatically for everyone. You choose exactly what you want, but we advise you to install Q-Dir as an administrator. That will give you a little more wiggle room on your storage devices later on.
Four file windows
Do not be alarmed when you open Q-Dir for the first time, because you will not see one, but four file windows. They provide access to local, network, cloud, ftp, system and compressed folders. Please also take a look at the menu Extras and Start as, because Q-Dir has several guises. You can switch between these with the icons at the top right of the screen. You can choose whether you want to see four, three, two or maybe one file window.
Compared to Windows Explorer, Q-Dir has taken over all the usual functionalities one on one. Moving or copying with the mouse from one file window to another is nice and standard, but it is visually much stronger. There is also a nice borrowed neighbor at the context menu of Windows Explorer, so you will not be faced with any surprises with regard to the normal towing work. And that simply means that Q-Dir is the Windows 10 user get off to a flying start.
Desired functionality
What Q-Dir also does very well is adding desired functionality. Ordinary Windows Explorer does not have this. For example, Q-Dir saves the settings, which you continue to refine, very well. And how often did you not want the contents of a file window to be exported to a txt file or printed on paper? That too is now possible.
Speaking of desired functionality: you also get adequate information about the size of files and folders. The latter in particular is very pleasant compared to Windows Explorer. Q-Dir has the special function for this Data size information built. You can find this in the menu bar Extras and with the function key F9. Q-Dir has taken over a number of Windows Explorer functions: F3 for searching, F5 for refresh and F11 for full screen.
Via the submenu Data size information it is then possible to indicate how the size should be displayed, in byte, kilo-, mega- and gigabyte. You can optionally set separators or a percentage signaling and the number of files / folders that are in the parent folder. You will then see a practical display with which you can actually do something.
Smart title bar
Q-Dir knows how to handle every square centimeter of the window. This is nicely reflected in the use of the title bar. For example, the title can be set in a different way via Extras and Title bar.
Strongly recommended is the further option Show full path of selected file (object). That shows, always at the top left of the screen, exactly where a selected object is located. And that is useful.
On the right side of the title bar you will find more tricks. With of course the icons with which you can directly adjust the display of Q-Dir. Right next to that you will find icons to print, to add an item to the favorites, to consult a smart magnifying glass and to minimize Q-Dir in the system tray at lightning speed.
More tricks
As usual, you get to know a program by using it and that includes Q-Dir. And the nice thing about this program is that you keep discovering new tricks. For example, at the top right of the address bar (every file window has one) you will find two icons that you can use directly on the desktop and at This PC coming.
At the bottom right of the status bar (every file window has one) you will find the button, among other things To carry out. The operation of this button can be adjusted and you can also start a dos command line in the currently selected folder.
Also experiment with the presentation of Q-Dir by means of the options Extras and Color and display and Extras and Font. With that you can make Q-Dir just as (un) readable as you want.
Q-Dir can keep the settings you have made for the next time. But the program is also able to record various settings. You arrange that via File and Save current setting as Desktop link.
Nothing to criticize
Do we have nothing to criticize about Q-Dir? No, as far as the possibilities are concerned it is all fine. The big danger is that Q-Dir is a power tool with which you can get deep behind the Windows 10 screens quite easily. And then, of course, some caution is required, because bad luck lurks in the small corners. Come on, one more nice feature: you can enlarge and reduce the image super smart using the mouse wheel.
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