One of the most used apps in Microsoft Windows is the inbuilt Windows File Explorer. If turning on your Windows computer is a part of your daily routine, chances are quite less you don’t fire up the File Explorer at least once. Because it’s the easiest way to access the content stored on your machine. So, let’s discuss its nuances and alternatives in detail:
Intro Windows File Explorer is a file manager similar to Windows Explorer, but uses a different approach. It has many options that Microsoft Windows Explorer does not have, like the preview images and side by side display which can be handy when copying a file from a particular folder to another. A download manager or download accelerator is a software that can increase the download speed by running multiple processes and help user download multiple files at once. Some of the best free.
What is File Explorer?
Windows File Explorer (aka My Computer or This PC for most people) falls into the category of applications called file manager. It has been in existence since the release of Windows 95 as an important component of the Windows Shell. Before that, there was another software named File Manager, which Microsoft has now open sourced.
In the past, it was known by the name Windows Explorer but its name changed when Windows 8 arrived. With time, Microsoft has brought many improvements to the File Explorer including a major design overhaul, support for more file formats and services, ribbon toolbar, etc.
File Explorer can unzip files and mount ISOs, thus, diminishing the need for dedicated apps to the same job. More recently, Microsoft has been working on a dark theme for the File Explorer which will arrive with the Redstone 5 update. Just recently, macOS Mojave got a similar feature.
Even with all of its goodies, File Explorer isn’t the only way to access the file system on your computer. You can always use the Command Prompt. And additionally, there are different other Windows file manager apps that you can use an alternative to File Explorer. So, let’s tell you about different applications --
Best Free File Manager For Windows 10: Classic Apps
FreeCommander
As the name suggests, FreeCommander is a free to use file manager for Windows. Its dual-pane interface can display two different folders at the same time, making it easier to copy or move files between two folders. For each pane, you can also add folder tabs for extra comfort while browsing through your data.
You don’t get much in terms of looks but it does come with a variety of features, including the ability to split and combine files, create and verify checksum, zip and unzip file archives, batch rename, file comparison tool, file shredder, etc.
Other than your local files and folders, this Windows explorer alternative can also open network drives. But there is no support for cloud services, not even OneDrive. Overall, if you don’t care about the visual appearance, FreeCommader could be a replacement for the native File Explorer in Windows.
Explorer++
Explore++, the open-source free file manager for Windows, will delight the users who want the Windows experience but with a touch of open source. Among various features, it includes the like of folder tabs, OneDrive integration, and dual-pane to browse your files more efficiently. The tabs can be bookmarked and you can also save a directory listing.
Through its customizable user interface, this file browser lets you use all the basic file operations including sorting, filtering, moving, as well as, advanced features like merging and splitting files. You can also change the date and attributes of files.
View and Download Epson Expression 1640XL start here manual online. Epson Expression 1640XL: Quick Start. Expression 1640XL Scanner pdf manual download. Also for: Expression 1640xl - graphic arts - expression 1640xl- graphics arts. Epson 1640xl manual. View and Download Epson Expression 1640XL user manual online. Color Graphics Scanner. Expression 1640XL Scanner pdf manual download. Also for: G650c. Mar 30, 2019 The Epson Expression 1640XL scanner is a challenge to reproduce fine detail from deep shadows, free from noise, and equipped with precise separation from slight variations. Epson Expression 1640XL Drivers, Download, Manual, Software, Windows. View and Download Epson Expression 1640XL manual online. Color Image Scanner. Expression 1640XL Scanner pdf manual download. Home Support Scanners Expression Series Epson Expression 1640XL. Epson Expression 1640XL. Epson Expression 1640XL. Downloads; FAQs. User Manual PDF. This document contains an overview of the product, basic and in-depth usage instructions, information on using options, specifications, and control code information. To contact Epson.
The classic app looks like it was designed for Windows XP. Still, it provides a much cleaner interface than FreeCommander, if that’s what you want. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows and you don’t have to take the pain of any installation as this Windows File Manager is only available as a portable software.
Q-dir
While many Windows File Explorer alternatives flaunt their dual-pane interface that helps people manage files easily, Q-dir offers something more. Why resort to two panes when you can have four? This free file manager for Windows, Q-dir, has just the same. That’s why it’s known by another name, Quad Explorer.
The prime focus of this file manager is on dealing with multiple folders at the same time. In its default look, it seems as if developers made a collage of the single file manager they created.
You can change the number of panes and arrange them vertically and horizontally. What’s more is that you can create folder tabs in every pane. Anyway, you can customize it to look more natural.
Moreover, you can save a particular arrangement in a file so you can continue your work on some other PC, or save the state in case you need to reinstall your operating system.
Best Free File Manager for Windows 10 – Store Apps
The list of the best file manager apps for Windows can’t go without including Microsoft Store apps, aka UWP apps. These apps might not be as feature-rich as the classic file explorer apps but they take the lead in the GUI department which is largely a focus on all platforms nowadays, not just Windows. A big reason to consider these replacements to Windows Explorer is that they’re more touch-friendly than their legacy counterparts.
Files&Folders Lite
This modern file manager for Windows 10 is built by the same minds who developed the torrent client Torrex. Its neat and clean user interface provides an effortless way to access your files and folders through the expandable Navigation pane present on the left-hand side.
In addition to the system folders already listed, you can click the + button to add any folder. This windows file manager comes with FTP support and OneDrive integration, but a paywall protects support for Google Drive, Dropbox, and Yandex Drive.
Further, it doesn’t need a separate app to open images, videos. It can compress, decompress, and open folder archives in many formats.
In terms of personalization, you can choose from the limited set of themes for Files&Folder or configure it use the system theme. It gives you an option to set a custom background from your image collection or fetch a background from Bing that automatically changes.
File Browser
This is probably the simplest app you can find among the Windows file manager apps mentioned in this list. Without adding many tantrums and features people don’t need, it does what it does, help people browse their files and folders.
File Browser comes with basic file operations and supports Windows 10’s Share button, allowing the users to email their files directly and share it with other Windows PCs using Nearby Sharing. You can choose from a bunch of available themes or use the system default theme for the app.
Realtek windows 10 free download - Windows 10, Apple Safari, Realtek High Definition Audio Codec (Windows 7 / 8/ 8.1/ 10 64-bit), and many more programs. Realtek player for windows 10.
A standout feature of the File Browser is tabbed browsing. Just like the other file explorer alternatives, you can open multiple folders in different tabs for easy multitasking. You can seamlessly drag and drop files between tabs. But the tabbed browsing feature along with support for dark mode require premium version which is very cheap.
Download File Manager For Nokia
Metro Commander
This entry on Windows file manager list, Metro Commander, is created by the same developers who are behind Files&Folders. It has almost the same graphical user interface with roughly the same features including the built-in file compression and extraction tool, themes, support for cloud drives and FTP, etc.
So, how it’s different? Metro Commander comes with a dual pane view, allowing you to manage your files more easily and efficiently. It’s quite helpful when you’re dealing with lots of stuff and need to move, copy, rename or delete multiple times in different folders.
The free version of Metro Commander also comes with a small ad placed in the bottom right corner of the window.
UWP File Explorer
Maybe you know this or not, if you’re running Windows 10, you can find a hidden gem in the form of modern file manager based on Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform. This should be called the actual File Explorer alternative. A successor would be a more appropriate word, I guess. But it’s yet to mature.
The UWP File Explorer doesn’t have much to offer, especially, when compared to File Explorer. Still, you can easily browse through your files and folders. It includes basic options like copy/paste, delete, sorting, group selection, etc. One useful feature is the Share button that you find in many other places in Windows 10. So, you can use the Nearby Sharing feature to transfer files wirelessly.
These were some great alternatives to File Explorer or Windows Explorer–whatever you call it. After using these, one thing you may note. In terms of visual appearance, the classic apps seem to be on the backfoot when compared to the built-in file manager, the UWP apps lack in terms of functionality.
If you have something to add, drop your thoughts in the comments.
When it comes to essential Windows apps, one can’t deny the importance of a good download manager. If you know, some years ago, even Microsoft made an unknown and somewhat failed attempt with their software called Microsoft Download Manager.Also Read: 10 Easy Windows 10 Multitasking Tips and Tricks Every User Should Know
Mostly third-party, a download manager, download accelerator, file downloader, or whatever you call it, makes the files download faster by downloading them in parts – a process known as parallel downloading.
Why A Download Manager?
Various free download manager software come with features that are nowhere to be found in the built-in download management components in web browsers. For instance, scheduling file downloads, exporting download list, and more. Moreover, download managers also come with browser extensions to capture download links directly from web browsers.
So, with all that said, here are some of the best download manager software for Windows 10 and earlier versions. But before reading further, if you’re using on an Android device, you might want to check out our list of 8 best Android video downloaders.
Note: This list is not arranged in any order of preference.
Best Download Manager For Windows 10 In 2018
1. Free Download Manager – the best free file downloader
Also known by the abbreviation FDM, it has stood as a reliable Internet Download Manager alternative. It’s available for macOS and Windows operating systems.
Free Download Manager provides seamless integration with web browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc. It’s loaded with a variety of download management features to schedule downloads easily, limit connections speeds, and more. FDM has different modes for light, medium, heavy downloading, as well as, a snail mode which frees up bandwidth for other apps on the machine.
Many things make FDM one of the best download manager software for Windows. It also doubles up as a BitTorrent client. Users can easily drag and drop URLs and torrents into FDM’s window to get the downloads running. For instance, users can directly add YouTube videos URLs to FDM and download them.
2. Internet Download Manager – the best downloader if you can pay
Probably, it’s because of IDM that so many people are familiar with the term download manager. It’s 2018, there might exist many powerful free download manager software, but it’s still hard to defeat IDM. It can boost the file download speed on people’s machine by up to five times. And this shouldn’t be confused with the available bandwidth.
IDM can efficiently manage batch downloads, provides different options for download queues, fetch download links from web pages and video streaming sites. One thing the users feel assured about is the reliability; I can remember resuming downloads on my desktop even after it accidentally shut down.
Even with all the good things it has to offer, one of the reasons why users might not want to prefer IDM is because it comes at a price. But it offers a 30-day trial offer. So, you can get your hands on it before buying.
3. Ninja Internet Download Manager
If the appearance of software matters to you more than anything else, be prepared to get pleased by the modern UI of Ninja Download Manager.
And it’s not just the appearance, this excellent IDM alternative stuffs tons of powerful features under the hood to be a ninja when it comes to downloading files faster. NDM for short, in addition to its robust download accelerator, it comes with the built-in media converter and can download streaming videos in up to 1080p quality if available.
Ninja downloader supports sequential file writing, allowing users to preview an audio or video file before the download finishes on their machine. Users can limit the download speed and also control the number of simultaneous connections for a file download.
For more features, a Pro version of Ninja Download Accelerator is also available for $19.
4. EagleGet Download Accelerator – a simple file downloader for Windows
The one featuring its minimalistic user interface is the download manager we know by the name EagleGet. You can customize the theme with solid colors or some custom image as the background.
The download manager can fetch videos from various streaming sites including YouTube using its Media Grabber. There is a Video Sniffer tool which can be used to download videos for which a download link is not there. After the downloads get completed, you can also configure the free download manager to check for malware using the installed AV software on your system.
The reason why EagleGet counts among the best download manager software for Windows is because of the ease-of-access it offers to the users. It isn’t bloated with features that are mostly of no use to everyday users.
Also Read: 9 Best Free Password Manager Software You Can Try In 2018
5. BitComet – free download manager + torrent downloader
Talking about BitComet, you might have heard of it more when referring to torrent downloader software. But BitComet also comes with support for HTTP and FTP protocols, allowing it to act as a download manager.
It might not have a visual appearance as pleasing as other top download manager software, BitComet comes with all the essential file downloader features.
BitComet offers seamless integration with web browsers, remote file download, virus scan post download, download scheduling, etc. Also, the file downloader comes with capabilities to resume downloads even if you restart your PC or use a different internet connection, similar to IDM and other apps.
6. JDownloader 2 – an open source file downloader
If you’re in search of an open source download manager for Windows, then, JDownloader 2 could be the answer for you. The free download manager is a rejuvenated version of the original software which had to shut down after legal actions.
JDownloader 2 includes an optical character recognition to solve CAPTCHA you usually encounter on download sites. It can automatically extract RAR files after download, comes with a link grabber tool to fetch all the downloadable links on a web page, and support for around 300 decryption plugins. The download accelerator can be controlled remotely via the JDownloader web interface and apps for mobile platforms.
7. Internet Download Accelerator
Also known as IDA, it’s a free download manager developed by a Ukranian company called WestByte. It comes with support for HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP protocols and provides integration for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, etc. web browsers.
IDA has a built-in site manager to save the username and passwords of websites. Users can preview the contents of a RAR file before downloading it. One of the things I like about IDA is its quick update schedule.
Recent updates to the free download accelerator have added support for downloading videos from popular video services and the ability to play a video while it’s being downloaded, cool, right? The download manager reminds you of its existence on your PC via floating window which could be sometimes annoying as it stays on top of other windows.
Apart from the free, IDA also comes in a paid family version, it adds technical support, removes annoying ads, provides 3 lifetime licenses. You can get it for $24.95.
8. Download Accelerator Plus – file downloader built-in browser
If you’re a regular visitor to the world of download managers, you might recall this software by the acronym DAP. The free download manager comes with capabilities to download audio and video from various websites.
What’s more is it can play videos while they download on the user’s computer. Another feature that puts DAP in line with other best download manager software for Windows is the built-in web browser. Users can download their favorite files without leaving the download manager.
Using DAP, it is also possible to download online videos as MP3 files. It comes with a built-in link checker which can tell if a download link is broken. A green dot appears in the search results that indicates that the download link is valid.
Some DAP features are only available with its premium version. These include a video shredder to erase downloaded files from the hard drive, a trace cleaner tool to remove any evidence that a file was downloaded on the computer.
Editor’s Choice –
Apparently, it would be pretty hard to suggest one name out of these software. But you can go for FDM, Ninja free, and EagleGet if you aren’t in the mood to spend money. Otherwise, IDM and Ninja would be a choice while choosing a top paid download manager. For the user’s who want the best of both worlds, BitComet can fulfill their torrent and file download needs efficiently.