File Managers for DOS [page 2 of 2]

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FILE MANAGERS (DOS only: 8+3 filenames)


DOS Controller (DC-SK)- Fast file manager for DOS, Norton Commander clone.

* * * *

DC-SK is a near-clone of the Norton Commander for DOS with a few features omitted and improvements added. DC-SK is preferred over many of the FM's listed here because of its small size (50K) , smart design, speed, and lack of bugs. While not as feature-laden as some of the FM's listed here its simplicity can be a plus for users of older PC's. DC-SK is coded in assembly language-which translates to minimal RAM wastage and quick operation even on under-powered computers. You can use it both as a file manager and as a DOS shell (non memory resident option exists).

While many of the FM's listed here use a command bar, DC-SK also implements pulldown menus for each directory pane- a big plus for mouse users because frequently used commands (e.g., sorting ) can be invoked without wading through a dialog box. The appearance of individual panes is highly customizable (tree view, brief file info, full file info, etc.); you can even hide the panes to get a better look at command-line output. An option also exists to compare directories. DC-SK is mouse compatible, has a very competent built-in editor (loads files as large as available conventional memory), displays a command line, and includes a user configurable program menu and text-mode screen saver. COM size: 50K. Author: Søren Kragh. (1992)

Limitations:

  1. DC-SK has no built-in archive management features but you can associate archive extensions with 3rd party archive managers like AVIEW or AinViewer.
  2. Unlike other FM's listed here, DC-SK doesn't list my CD-ROM or RAM disk in the drive list.
  3. DC-SK can't copy directories.
  4. Documentation is sparse but you won't need it. No Win9x features.

Y2K: Displays correct two-digit year, performs sort by date correctly (w/ Y2K compliant hardware/ Caldera DR DOS 7.02)

download dc-sk.zip (39K)


DOS Navigator- Excellent multi dual-panel file manager.

* * * * * [added 04-24-99]

A great (maybe the best) DOS-only file manager that integrates a v. good editor, spreadsheet, *.dbf viewer, phone book/ dialer, terminal, cd player. DOS Navigator does *not* support Win9x long file names (LFN); if you need LFN display see DN's progeny: NDN and DN-OSP.

Note: 4-99: this program is now freeware, Source is also available.

Author: RIT Research Labs, Russia/ Moldavia. (1999) For post-RIT development of DOS Navigator also see DN-OSP and NDN.

download dn151.zip (770K)


Directory Freedom- Comprehensive dir. utility/ file manager; Small, fast, configurable.

* * * * * [updated 03-13-01]

DF is an outstanding shareware file utility that has turned freeware. It has a famous heritage dating back to the PC Mag utilities DR and CO, and their descendant, Directory Control. Because of the number and type of enhancements added to DF, I prefer to classify it with file managers rather than directory utilities. DF displays a vertical directory panel on the left, vertical command panel on the right, and a horizontal status area at the bottom of screen. Suited to mouse or keyboard users. Some file operations (copy/ move/ rename) require typing destination path.

From the docs..."Directory Freedom...originally grew out of a variety of programs which owe their "look and feel" to Michael Mefford's DR and CO utilities in PC Magazine....DF was most directly adapted from Peter Esherick's DC (Directory Control)...Some of the major features are listed below. These are just a sampling but should help give the user of the earlier programs a flavor for how DF has been extended from its original roots.

Notes:

Ex-shareware, now freeware. Author: Gordon Haff/ Bit Masons Consulting. (1999) Home Page.

Updates: 03-13-01: Source code is now available under the GPL. 12-23-99: New in v4.61b (12-99): Y2K and system info issues addressed. Documentation updated.

download df461b.zip (229K)


HFM - Powerful file manager for DOS, with many features.

* * * 1/2

HFM is a dual pane, text mode FM with mouse support. While the interface may be too 'busy' for some, it's a good choice for a DOS file manager. Freeware under GPL; Pascal source included. EXE size: 150K. Author: Andreas Helke, Germany (1996)

Features:

  1. Drag and drop file copy, move, delete, and start.
  2. Popular archive contents (ZIP, LHA, ARJ, and some older formats) displayed as directories. Transparent operation of external archivers (i.e., you don't see PKZIP's output)
  3. Unique: Drag and drop actions supported between two archive directories (e.g.,drag file from one archive to another).
  4. Can copy directories.
  5. File associations.
  6. Text file viewer can display huge files.
  7. Automatic directory comparisons.
  8. Includes separate text editor and a calculator.
  9. One undocumented gem of this program is its ability to delete files that DEL can't- e.g., errant files containing space characters.

Limitations:

  1. Fast CPU users: You may need to patch the exe in order to avoid the runtime 200 error.
  2. Somewhat unorthodox design requires time to learn.
  3. Doesn't appear to display internal paths in archives.
  4. Many commands are available only from keyboard (memorize!).
  5. Memory hungry- but can use recursive batch file to launch programs (i.e., highlight program, press CTRL-ENTER).

download hfm404nl.zip (490K)


File Maven- File manager with PC-to-PC file transfer capabilities.

* * * 1/2

File Maven is an easy-to-use dual pane file manager with unique features like PC-to-PC file transfers via serial or parallel cable and Blowfish file encryption. Incorporates pulldown menus, is mouse compatible, and has good archive handling (PKZip, ARJ, LHA). Program size- about 350K with support files. Other distinguishing features:

Ex- Shareware: See the FileMaven home page for additional information.
Author: Kent Briggs. (1997)

download fmav35a.zip (165K)


Terminate Commander- Good file manager tuned for use with comm programs.

* * * *

Quick first impressions....

Terminate Commander is a freeware utility for the Terminate communications software package- but it works very well as a stand-alone file manager. The layout of Terminate Commander is somewhat unique and consists of two or three major vertical panes: one system info/function menu pane and one (or two) directory lists with full (or brief) file information. Although I'm a mouse user, I found TC's keyboard navigation to be intuitive. Includes mouse support too, but you can't scroll directory lists with the mouse. A user-defined menu is displayed on the bottom row of the screen. A pop-up command line is available which includes a command history buffer. Includes a good built-in file viewer too. EXE size 151K.

Other features:

Limitations:

Author: Bo Bendtsen / Strathrory System Limited. (1997); Suggested by Robert Bull.

download t-nc-211.zip (108K)
Also see: Terminate home page.


Pinco's Commander- Dual pane file manager with fast XMS copy, RAR archive support.

* * * 1/2 [added 1997 updated 07-02-00]

Pinco's Commander is a very "fast" and uncomplicated dual pane text-mode file manager which gets a high usability rating along with DC-SK. Distinguished by a colorful interface. Lacks the nice pulldown menus found in DC-SK, but very easy to navigate with a mouse. Setup and configuration are a snap. Although PC may have too much of an "attitude" for some, I use it quite frequently on my 386/20 because of its fast XMS copying feature. PC is one of the few freeware FM's which reads RAR archives as directories. EXE size: 50K plus 70K auxiliary tools. Requires 286+ PC and VGA. Author: Enrico Ferro, Italy. (2000) Cardware.

Strengths

  1. Can use XMS memory during copy and move operations which really speeds up these operations.
  2. Pinco's Commander can manipulate ZIP ARJ RAR -but not LZH- archives. Displays archives as directories. External archivers required.
  3. Can copy directories.
  4. Floppy disk formatting, disk labeling.
  5. Can swap to XMS/EMS during program execution.
  6. Option to display command line with command history buffer.
  7. File associations- manually added in config. file.
  8. Includes a fast built-in file viewer (text, raw, or hex display); handles large files.
  9. Basic file finding function with text search, customizable pop-up menu for program launching, customizable colors. Version 2.2 is Y2K compliant.
  10. Hint: If you have a three button mouse, the middle mouse button emulates double click.

Limitations

  1. Some may be offended by off-color slang used in some error messages (e.g., drive-not-ready message)

07-02-00: v2.2, new build dated 05-00.

download pc22eng.zip (137K, English version)

(see home page for Italian and other language versions)


PC Valet- Small file manager with built-in file viewer, hex editor, and more.

* * * 1/2

PC Valet is a small, fast, single directory pane file manager/ shell that has not seen wide distribution. The interface somewhat resembles the look of the once-popular X-TREE file manager. I prefer dual panels, but PC Valet has several attractive features. The executable and associated files use less than 40K disk space excluding documentation. Features include directory tree display, file extension association, an internal text file viewer, hex viewer, capable hex editor, and a screen saver. Overall, PC Valet is comparable to DC-SK in features and configurability- I prefer the latter simply for its greater ease of navigation and file manipulation. Released in 1993- no WIN9x features. EXE size: 26K + 15K auxiliary tools. Author: John Junod. (1994)

Other features:

Limitations:

download valet.zip (36.7K)


Tree86 Lite- Directory tree and file management utility.

* * * 1/2

An older (1990) file manager which remains useful owing to a unique design. Tree86 Lite is a free "Special Edition Trial Version" still distributed by the Aldridge Company, but it is not disabled in any way and contains no nag/ad screens; The lite version does possess fewer features than the commercial Tree86, but it remains a remarkably feature-rich tool.

Tree86 takes a different approach than most typical file managers. It is designed primarily as a directory "tree-walking" tool. On start-up, Tree86 reads all directories on a given drive and displays a tree of directories. Because the focus is directories, Tree86 stands out as a good directory-level manager, i.e., make, rename, copy, delete, "cut and paste" single directory actions are supported. File lists can also be viewed by selecting directories. Common file level actions are included together with an XCOPY command. Includes mouse support with pulldown menus. EXE size= 70K. Author: David L. Aldridge, Aldridge Co. (1990). Suggested by Robert Bull.

Other nice features:

Limitations:

download t86lite.exe (179K, ZIP SFX)


RELATED . . .

DirMatch- Compare directories, with file actions.

* * * *

DirMatch is a dual pane directory comparer that lists the contents of two directories side by side. The F1 key toggles display filtering of all, different, or alike files. File actions allowed include copy, move, delete, copy and delete, and swap. Author: Michael J. Mefford, PCMag. (1992). (Suggested by many)

Syntax: DIRMATCH source target [/D][/A]
/D = Different files
/A = Alike files

Function keys on display: F1 All-Different-Alike F2 Mark all F3 Clear marks F4 Copy F5 Copy & Delete F6 Del F7 Move F8 Swap F9 Print F10 Disk free +/- Mark/Unmark Esc to Exit

Many file managers also offer basic directory comparing functions -see UFO, FW, Connect, HFM, DC-SK, and TC.

download dirmat31.zip (18K)


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