Q-Dir is a multi-pane file explorer and manager based around the MS Windows Explorer core functionality and then has a lot of extra bells and whistles thrown in.

A ProReviewer Mini-me Review

This is an overview of the program and not a more detailed review

What Is It?

Q-Dir is a file explorer/file manager and acts as a replacement or alternative to Windows Explorer. It provides a single to multi-pane environment to work in and has the look and feel of Windows Explore plus many useful additions. It has a lot of useful functions built in and makes clever use of Explorer context menus built into the main menu bar which provides extra functions dependant on what additional software is installed and how it has been set up.

Why Would You Want It?

File and data management are two of the key elements of personal computing after the use of individual applications that generally create the files and manipulate the data. A really good, intuitive and easy to use program for this work is an absolute essential. Unfortunately Microsoft have never provide the tool for the job.

From my own point of view I have been trying different file managers for several years, always looking for an application that lives up to my requirements and expectations., In all that time I have yet to find the perfect solution, Q-Dir still falls short of the mark but is certainly one of the best implementations I have come across in quite a while. I have tried all the popular and highly rated freeware file mangers, most are quite good but none meet my needs in full.

As a quick idea of the essential items I am looking for the following list gives a good idea:

• Simple and Intuitive to use
• Windows Explorer look and feel (in part)
• Two (or more) panes (or tab implementation for drag and drop etc.)
• Good menus/context menus/toolbars
• File name filtering (Auto)
• User or task Profiles
• Robust file handling (Move/Copy/Paste/Delete)

What Does It Do - The Essentials?

Summary:

• Windows Explore Replacement
• Multi Pane Views
• Treeviews or substitute Dropdowns
• Colour coding of file types in display (User changeable)
• Handles

Pros: What’s Good?

• Freeware

• Portable (+ Installed option)
• Intuitive & Easy to Use
• Windows “Look & Feel”
• Extensive options and controls
• Good GUI

Cons:What’s Not So Good?

• Lacks advance tools (e.g. directory sync)

What the Developer Says:

The developers site gives the following information:

Q-Dir makes your files and folder easy to manage.
Fast and easy access, with an amazing Quadro-View technique.
You don’t have to renounce the usual, Drag and Drop, all Views, and other functions of your system.
No! Q-Dir gives you other nice functions, that make you happy.
One can save many hand moves and also time!
Q-Dir does not have to be installed and can be executed easily from the desktop.
Rename Q-Dir_Installer.exe to Q-Dir.exe and GO.
It’s a small famous utility for Windows PC-s and also an USB-stick friend :).

More Information can be found here (the native language is German but English translations are provided):

… about Q-Dir

Help-file

Screenshots:

1

2

3

The Main Window

2 Pane View with Tree views to left

4 Pane View with Tree views to left panes only

View Controls etc. comprising:

• 10 Different settings for panes
• Information Dropdown
• Favorites
• Help
• Zoom
• Minimise to System Tray

Main Tool Bar (Left):

• Tree View (Toggle)
• Back and Forward buttons
• Up (Directory path)
• New Folder
• Views (as Windows Explorer plus additional items from context menus)
• Address Box

Main Tool Bar (Right)

• Address Box
• Desktop Dropdown Button
• My Computer Dropdown Button

Status Bar Tools

Each pane has its own status bar with tool icons:

• Filter Box Search (Toggled)
• Up/Down
• Run Program (Selected on Screen)
• Delete
• Cut
• Copy
• Paste
• Toggle Filter Box
• Quick Folder

What are the Technical Details & Compatibility?

Name	Q-Dir
Software Version	3.03
Release Date	13 April 2008
Compatibility	Win98/2000/XP/2003 /Vista
Homepage	… about Q-Dir
Download	Q-Dir_Installer.zip
Download Size	179Kb
OS Reviewed On	Windows XP Pro
Size on Disk	388kB
Memory Use	16,920K
Review Date	April 2008
License	Freeware

What is the My Free Review Experience?

Based on my brief experience with this utility over the past two days it will definitely be a keeper in my Portable Utilities set. So my initial rating (which may go up or down with further experience) is:

Useful with plenty of tools and options

What Other Posts are Relevant?

Why You Want to Use Portable Freeware Applications

FlashFolder - Windows Explorer Extension Utility

TeraCopy - High Speed Copy and Move Files

TaskSwitchXP - So Much More Than a Task Changer

PortableApps Menu - Start All Your Portable Applications with 2 Clicks

Why I decided to Write this Blog

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 at 11:19 am and is filed under Portable Freeware. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.