■ xplorer² major upgrade version 6.0 — codename Narcissus

xplorer² is 20 years old this month, and decided to have a facelift to combat its mid-life crisis <g>. Nothing earth-shattering mind, just small touches here and there to make it look more business-like in suit and high heels. So what are the emperor's new clothes?

All dialogs get a smarter font more in line with the rest of your desktop, and a mini-help band with an (intentionally) pixelated icon and brief description about the works in each dialog. Click on More help? to see the help file in context for more details — so it's not just cosmetic but also useful to new xplorer² users.

Command status and error messages get more conspicuous in the shape of caption messages shown below xplorer² window — instead of the old statusbar messages that many people missed altogether. They go away automatically after a short while so you don't need to close them manually.

I maintain that xplorer² was the first tool to introduce bread-crumbs for paths ages ago, then everybody else aped the feature. Version 6 has path crumbs in the addressbar as well, like windows explorer does them, with clickable path parts, submenus and drop targets. It also accepts normal typing if you click on the little folder icon (or with <SHIFT+TAB>). The filter box becomes a separate toolbar.

All these stylistic changes including drivebar free space indicator bars, can be undone using Tools > Advanced options menu tick boxes (see Extra options section in global page), if you prefer the old traditional looks.

Click for video

There are many practical new features as well. For more details see the changelog and the updated documentation.

Checkbox selection. On top of old sticky selection mode you can build large selections robustly with Mark > Use checkboxes menu. If enabled, selection doesn't matter, only items that ar ticked will be processed by menu commands. If there's a discrepancy between selection and checkboxes, it is aligned in favor of checkboxes. The idea is to make checkboxes hard to accidentally undo, they even survive filtering. Use <SPACE> to toggle checkboxes for selected items. Most commands in Mark menu work with checkboxes, e.g. Unselect all will clear all ticks.
Redesigned options. The old rusty program settings property sheet is replaced with a list property control, that organizes options into logical categories, selectable via a tree control. You can search for properties by keyword. The best part is that the new system is much easier to extend; gradually properties now residing in external Advanced options tool will be moved into Tools > Options.
Simple filter dialogs. Find files and other dialogs that filter using file properties, get a simple mode where you just search for filenames and contained text — arguably the most common sort of searching for files. A link-style control allows switching the dialog to full hyperfilter mode, in case you need more control or extra file properties.
Extra programmable columns. Ultimate advanced users get to play with 3 extra programmable columns, where you design your own file properties. Use Customize > Programmable submenu to add and organize extra complex columns.

Some GUI translations weren't updated. If you are a national of a missing language's country and are interested in volunteering to complete the translation please let me know.

Upgrade information

Do you know that xplorer² never had a price rise for 20 years despite inflationary pressures? The only means of zabkat subsistence is these 3-year paid upgrade circles. Everyone will need to obtain a new unlock key for v6.0, but many people will get it for free or with a discount. All customers with a valid 5.x key can get the 30% discount.

Birthday bonus. To celebrate the 20-year xplorer² release anniversary, all people who bought any version of the program, be it last year or back in 2004, can upgrade to v6.0 with a discount! Use the upgrade process explained below from your existing xplorer² installation. This is a limited time offer.

The upgrade process is as painless as can be; you just try to purchase a new key then xplorer² should guide you in case you are entitled to a free or discounted upgrade. Here are a few possibilities:

Click on Secure online order button in the opening "nag screen"
Use the Register command under License management menu (leftmost "File" tab in the ribbon)
If you have the old school menu, use Help > Register program command

The upgrade will be easier if you install v6.0 over your existing one (in the same folder), so xplorer² can recognize you have an older valid license file in there. Alternatively you can upgrade semi-automatically using this form — but you'd need to dig up that email with your full unlock key.

▼ DOWNLOAD FREE TRIAL