Windows Explorer seems to be absolutely fine for normal users, but power users will find something missing in it. Here are 10 most essential windows explorer add-ons that will help you to use windows explorer like a pro.
1. QT Tab Bar
QT Tab Bar is a tiny app that adds the tab feature in your Windows Explorer. This will help you to open multiple folders under single window. This is one of the most useful app that will definitely save your valuable time. Once installed, right-click on the Explorer toolbar and select the QT Tab Bar toolbars. This will enable tabs and other features in your Windows Explorer. This app works on Windows XP/Vista and requires .Net Framework 2.0 or later.
2. Folder Size
In windows explorer, it is not possible to view the size of a particular folder. Folder Size is an useful application that will help you to view the size of any folder, right inside the Windows Explorer. This program adds a column next to the folder name, that clearly displays the size of that folder. You will easily come to know which folder is eating up your hard disk space. This app works only on Windows XP.
3. Drive Icon
Drive Icon is a tiny utility that helps you to change your old-fashioned Windows XP drive icons into cool new icons that are much similar to that of Windows Vista. This app also shows the drive’s free space with a smooth colored horizontal bar. This icons will lets you know how much space is remaining in a particular drive. This app works with Windows XP.
4. QT Breadcrumb Address bar
QT Breadcrumb adds the Vista’s breadcrumb feature right inside Windows XP. This app helps to easily navigate from one folder to another. QT Address bar will add a new toolbar to your windows explorer. To remove the default address bar in Windows XP, just right click the address bar and hide it. This app works with Windows XP.
5. FileMenu Tools
File Menu Tools is an amazing program that allows you to customise the context menu of Windows Explorer. Using this program, you can easily add some built-in utilities that perform operations on files and folders. You can even enable/disable commands which are added by other applications to the context menu. This program works with Windows XP and Vista.
6. TeraCopy
The default file transfer utility in Windows is inefficient and it transfers your files at a slower rate. Tera copy is an amazing utility that helps you to copy or move your files and folders at a lightning fast speed. TeraCopy completely replaces your explorer’s copy and move functions. You can even pause and resume files transfer whenever you want. This utility works with Windows 7, Vista and XP.
7. InfoTag Magic
InfoTag Magic is a tiny utility that displays metadata of various file types. These metadata will be displayed as soon as you hover your mouse pointer over the file. This utility also displays quick preview for txt, dll and exe files types. It works with Windows 7, Vista and XP.
8. Direct Folders
Direct Folders allows you to access your favorite and recent folders quickly. With the help of this amazing utility, you can get quick and customizable access to all your favorite & recent folders. You can easily access Direct Folders by double clicking in the empty area of the desktop, Explorer or File Open/Save dialog box, which brings up a menu. This program is free for home users.
9. FolderBox
Folder Box is an tiny application that displays an additional folders in the lower part of Explorer, which enables your to display the contents of two folders at once. This program is quite useful as you can view multiple folders, right inside your Windows Explorer. You can even use FolderBox inside Internet Explorer.
10. Desktop Restore
Sometimes, your friends changes the layout of your desktop or add and delete some icons. At that time, restore desktop will helps you to save the layout and positions of icons and programs on the Windows Desktop. You can restore your complete desktop layout wherever the need arises. This program is quite useful for those who share their computer with many users. This program works with Windows 2000, XP and Vista.
Have we missed your favorite windows explorer add-ons? Which one is the best app from the above list? Please let us know in the comments.
Raju PP is the founder-editor of Technically Personal. He holds an Engineering degree in Electronics & Communication, and has previously worked as a Technical Specialist in Banking Software domain.
