What's the use of tools if they are not handy? The quick filter box
next to the addressbar is one of the best usability features in xplorer². Up to now you could use it in filtering mode, to locate items in the current folder. The new version extends this search as you type idea for finding filenames in local subfolders too! Set the box to Search mode using the drop-down button menu, and start typing. Matching filenames appear immediately in a popup window, and automatically update as you change the search keyword. You can preview and open files directly, or browse the containing folder for more file management actions. The demo video below explains all the features of the mini-search box.
A few clarifications are in order. First of all the minisearch pane is for simple name searches under the current folder. If you want to search for something slow (e.g. text in documents) then you must still do it the traditional way. The minisearch pane has a menu option to search in contents but then you won't see the results as you type, you must click the search button or <ENTER> key to start searching.
As the popup window space is limited, so are the number of files fetched. If you cannot see the file you are after, use Click for robust search footer to open a scrap window with all the matching files. Click anywhere outside the mini-search window to hide it.
Mini-search as you type begins once you type 4 letters, assuming you have all default settings. This behavior is adjustable through advanced option nCharsAutoFilter (it is the same setting that controls how many letters you type before focus jumps to the quickfilter box automatically). Note you can only increase the search threshold, not the other way round.
Other improvements of note include: (see the changelog for the full list of changes)
Discover huge files. On top of big folders, Tools > Folder statistics menu command shows the 10 biggest files in the folder hierarchy examined, so you can see which files take the most space. Hit <ENTER> key on a file to browse it in a normal xplorer² window.
Compare pictures side by side. Mouse peek preview is extended so that when you have two files selected you get to preview them side by side in a large popup window for easy comparison — think windiff but for thumbnail previews. Or turn on mirror browsing from Mark menu to compare same name files left and right in dual pane mode.
This comparison is possible for any kind of files with thumbnail preview but especially so for comparing similar photos.
The default keyboard shortcut for dual popup preview is <Alt+Shift+Q>; to dismiss the preview press any key or click the mouse, as in single file peek preview.
If you have modified keyboard shortcuts, probably ALT+SHIFT+Q won't work. To enable it, use Customize > Keyboard menu command and assign a shortcut to it from Miscellaneous category (command number is 33511)
Searchable options. Program settings (Tools > Options menu) are searchable. Use the search box at the bottom left corner of the property sheet and type 1-2 suitable keywords for the option you are after. Click on find next button (or F3 key) a few times till you locate your option. Each matching checkbox option is highlighted with a border around it, and property pages are turned automatically as necessary.
Double drive selector. After the dual trees added in v5.2 many people asked for a separate drivebar for each browser pane. I'm not sure if a whole drive toolbar can fit in a pane's titlebar (especially for people with lots of mapped drives), so an interim solution is the advanced frame option DPF_THISPCTITLE which adds This PC icon at the left of each titlebar, which you can click to see a menu of all drives, and use it to change the current folder. Remember the (single) drivebar can be used for the inactive pane too, if you hold down <gALTgt; key as you click on a drive button.
Upgrade information
Version 5.3 is a free upgrade for most people that already own v5.x licenses — except those received gratis as a free 1-year upgrade from v4.x. These customers as well as those with with old v4.x keys can upgrade to the latest version with a discount.
Please use Help > Check for updates menu command or the equivalent from ribbon's File leftmost tab to get the new version. If you don't have xplorer² installed try the download page for your free trial.