First of all, yes, I searched before posting this - I just didn't find what I need. So here goes...
I'm looking for a Windows Explorer alternative (NOT replacement; Explorer can stay. NOT supplement; I want something totally separated from Explorer) with the following features...
* Totally portable
* Tabbed interface (i.e. can open multiple folders in multiple tabs)
* Applications sidebar/toolbar/dock/menu (sort of like the Start Menu)
* Separate file associations (i.e. while opening an HTML file in Explorer would open, say, IE, opening a HTML file in the Explorer alternative would open Firefox portable)
* "Geek tools", such as "Open Command Prompt"
Explorer++ got really close to this (the "geek tools" were superb), but there were a couple of things I couldn't stomach...
* Saved my prefs in an XML file, then didn't re-load my prefs from the very same XML file. Instead it loaded the default settings every single time I opened it (NOT what I want).
* Applications toolbar had no way of scrolling it; eventually, apps just went off-screen
* No separate file associations (not a big deal, but still... the straw that broke the camel's back)
If someone knows of an Explorer alternative that meets some/most/all of my criteria, I'd really appreciate it...
Thanks in advance! 
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There's always XYplorer, but it isn't free...
Vintage!
Thanks, but I really need a free app... free = good.
Thanks anyway...
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
Doesn't exactly fit your specs; for example, unlimited windows instead of tabs. My preference (at work and in my WinXP VM at home; I'm a linux user) is Q-Dir.
Good luck,
Alan
Thanks, but I really need tabs. One of the primary reasons I'm leaving Windows Explorer is because I hate having to back and forth between a zillion windows... which, interestingly enough, is also one of the primary reasons I initially abandoned IE for Firefox (although nothing could get me to change back now, even the tabbing in IE 7 & 8)
Anyway, I'm going to have to pass... thanks anyway.
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
My favorite is Free Commander:
Get it here:
http://www.freecommander.com/
others:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-file-manager.htm#_1__xplorer2_...
That is the best that I could find.
Others are not free, shareware or a trial version.
"FreeCommander U3 and FreeCommander Portable provide identical functionality as the "regular" version of FreeCommander; they only have been re-packaged for installation on U3 Smart Drives resp. regular USB sticks. They consist of a single executable (.exe) file which contains the installer for U3 Smart Drives resp. USB Sticks."
FreeCommander could be just what I need... XYplorer Free looks good too. I'm going to try FreeCommander and see what I can see... lol
I'll post back here with what I think.
Thanks, guys!
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
dwebb5, thank you so much - Free Commander is perfect for me!
Nice, easy-to-understand-and-modify settings file, no registry entries (no apparent ones, anyway), nice tabbed interface, plenty of power, and - best of all - a COOL favorites bar that lets me store apps, then drag files onto the app icon to launch the app with the file opened. Much like Explorer's behavior, and something that was notably lacking from Explorer++...
I will definitely be spending plenty of time with Free Commander from now on!
Thanks again!
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
You are welcome. I am glad that you like it.
I have tried others 2xExplorer, Total Commander and others.
Total Commander is a good tool but it has that annoying sign on screen, because it is not free.
I like that Free Commander will save your settings, and start where you left it.
It is still being actively developed and there is a forum to learn new things.
http://www.forum.freecommander.com/
David
It is still being actively developed and there is a forum to learn new things.
http://www.forum.freecommander.com/
That settles it, FreeCommander is my new Explorer replacement.
Thanks a million, dwebb5!! I will head over to that forum eventually, and see about smoothing the (very) few rough edges I noticed...
Thanks again!
computerfreaker
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
I'm surprised noone's mentioned it, but have you seen TotalCommander? (http://www.ghisler.com/)
It's AWESOME - I use it all the time!
Total Commander is a very good product, but it isn't free. While you can download it without charge, as shareware, it includes a moral, if not legal, obligation to pay the current copyright owner.
You're right - sorry I didn't make that clearer!
It's only available as a 30 day trial and then you've got to pay for it (it costs $38).
I've used it for ages - though perhaps it's time I took a look at some of the other (opensource!) options - though I've a feeling this is one of those cases where the expesive bought-version is better than the opensource alternative
Another one worth mentioning is "Far Manager" at http://farmanager.com/ - it looks a bit like an MSDOS program, but actually runs under Windows. Some of my geek friends really love it, but personally I hate it.
I like the looks of this one, but (judging from the screenshots) FreeCommander is far better for my needs... and alanbcohen's comment is the final turnoff. Sorry, jamcomm, but I'm going to pass on this... thanks anyway!
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."