After several years of using Windows, I have come to terms with the fact that File Explorer’s limits are part of the operating system and aren’t going away overnight. It’s effective, familiar, and, for the most part, it won’t get in the way. However, if you need to carry out a demanding task, its flaws—like the single-pane workflow and poorly integrated power tools—start to show.
Last week, after another round of relying on several File Explorer windows, I decided to try something different. I tried out Double Commander, a Linux-style file manager on Windows. It quickly exposed a style of file management that felt more efficient and suited to people who work with files all day. It’s free and open source; if you prefer a paid alternative, try the Files app.
Working in dual panes transforms everyday file management
Side-by-side browsing without the clutter
The biggest shift when moving from File Explorer to Double Commander isn’t visual, but mental. Double Commander has two panes always visible, making file management directional and less chaotic. On the left, I have my working directories; on the right, I have destinations—archives, assets, and backups. This simple setup eliminates the constant window switching of File Explorer.
This Linux-like tool turns tasks that require retracing steps into a linear process. I now compare instantly, rather than hitting Back repeatedly or juggling overlapping windows. Instead of dragging files and dropping files in the wrong location, I press F5 to copy from an active pane into an inactive one.
When I have to work with backups, sort photos, or reorganize sources, Double Commander’s dual-pane view gives me more focus. Even though File Explorer can mimic this with a bunch of tiled windows, it’s not as effective. Dual panes are simply a more efficient way of thinking about files.
- OS
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Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD
- Price model
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Free
Double Commander is a free and open source, cross-platform file manager with two side-by-side panels. It has a configurable button bar for starting external programs or internal menu commands.
Keyboard-driven control that makes Explorer feel painfully slow
Fast actions with almost no mouse use
Double Commander feels radically faster, not just because of the interface, but because it doesn’t require you to touch the mouse as much. It has seamless function-key integration that changes everything. You use F4 to open the editor, and F5/F6 let you perform copy and move operations without any dialog boxes. The moment you get used to these functions, the right-click menu of File Explorer feels outdated and slow.
Within a pane, navigation is even quicker. I only need to type a few characters, and Double Command takes me straight to matching files. I can use Quick Filter (Ctrl + F) to turn my massive folders into filtered lists in real time. This is one of the best fuzzy quick-search integrations I have seen in a file manager.
It also includes an integrated command line below the panes, so I don’t have to minimize anything before running shell commands, batch operations, or Git actions.
Advanced operations that Windows still doesn’t offer natively
Tools that handle real-world workflows
Double Commander stops being merely faster and becomes a different class of tool with its advanced operations. Its Multi-Rename Tool has regex support, counters, and real-time previews that let you accurately rename dozens or hundreds of files. In comparison, File Explorer’s renaming is primitive.
Double Commander also lets you open ZIP, RAR, or 7Z files as if they were normal folders, browse their structure, and only extract the bits you need. It doesn’t default to “extract everything” like File Explorer.
However, the biggest practical upgrade is queued operations, which let you stack operations when moving large folders or backups. It helps the operation avoid freezing or stalling the system. Then there’s Directory Sync, which visually highlights only a specific set of files.
Customization that bends the interface to your workflow
Make the layout work exactly your way
Double Commander is more than a file viewer; it’s a workspace that lets you shape elements to match how you think. With color rules, I can visually parse directories at a glance. For instance, I can highlight my Photoshop files, executables, and RAW images, making them stand out immediately in large folders.
Tabs and layouts further streamline my workflow. I have a layout just for my writing projects. This layout has my drafts, screenshots, and archived work in pinned tabs. Then a separate layout is for my development tasks. Each time I switch between layouts, it perfectly restores the exact folders, pane states, and columns I need.
There are also custom toolbars and plugins I can add for increased efficiency. For instance, I have a customized button for launching VS Code, opening Git Bash, and performing quick hashes. I’ve even defined a custom column that exposes metadata that File Explorer hides. All these make Double Commander less of a generic template and more of a tool built for me. You can patch some File Explorer annoyances by using third-party tools, which is the only way I get customization close to what Double Commander offers.
Where Double Commander shows its Linux roots on Windows
The trade-offs you should expect
Even though this Linux tool is cross-platform, it comes with a few quirks that a Windows-only user will spot. Although functional, the interface is visually dated. This could be because speed and consistency are the priority. You shouldn’t expect Fluent Design-style animations or any deeply integrated Windows styling.
Some of the keyboard behavior is unlike what you get on Windows. Even though the core F-key workflow is straightforward, you’ll rely heavily on Ctrl and Alt combinations for deeper shortcuts. It may take a few days to relearn shortcuts after years of File Explorer’s click-driven workflow.
There are also limitations with Windows shell integration. For instance, context-menu entries from third parties don’t always appear seamlessly, and Quick Access pinning may not translate perfectly. While these don’t break the experience, they’re a reminder that the tool is built to prioritize speed and power. The efficiency far outweighs these shortfalls.
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Double Commander changes how you think about files
Switching to Double Commander has been about control and speed. I can work with files deliberately and without friction thanks to dual panes, keyboard shortcuts, and advanced utilities.
Just like every tool I’ve tried, it’s not perfect. But despite its learning curve and some quirks, the payoff is tangible. I have a more robust and efficient file management experience. Even with the recently added features on File Explorer, it doesn’t come close to Double Commander.