CNET Editors' review
Q-Dir gives you the ability to view the properties of up to four files all at once for side-by-side comparisons. We were unimpressed by its tiny, unintuitive command buttons but, overall, it did its job well.
The user interface opens as four panels, each with the same commands, and each with the ability to browse for a specific file. At the top of the window reside tiny, almost microscopic buttons that let you choose your view. We had to hover our mouse over each one to learn its function. Still, we were able to quickly search for, and pull up, specific files and folders. Each window contains commands to run, delete, copy, and paste files. In terms of extras, we especially liked the zoom feature that offers a magnifier for the visually impaired. It does offer a hot-key combo so you don't have to worry about searching through the tiny command buttons to activate it.
The Help feature is pretty brief, and merely includes hot-key combinations and brief descriptions of some of the features. However, if you're looking for a free program that lets you view and manage multiple files at once, we recommend Q-Dir as a capable program despite its design flaws.
Publisher's Description
From Nenad Hrg:
Q-Dir makes your files and folder easy to manage. It is fast and easy access, with an amazing Quadro-View technique. You don't have to renounce the usual, Drag and Drop, all Views, and other functions of your system. One can save many hand moves and also time. Q-Dir includes the following features like favorites, drag and drop, clipboard, all views, magnifier, color filter, highlight-filter, and quick-links.
What's new in this version: Version 5.84 includes improvements in the shell-folder-menus (address bar, Quick Links, favorites), when process the WM_MENUCHAR messages (keyboard shortcuts).
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 54 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Good, but needs some improvement"
Version: Q-Dir 5.68
Pros
Much better than Windows Explorer
Cons
Does not sort files by size, it thinks it has done it, but it just sorts them alphabetically.
Summary
Would recommend this over Windows explorer, but the best one has to be Directory Opus, but then it does come with a price tag.
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"100 Times better than Windows Explorer"
Version: Q-Dir 5.63
Pros
Multiple possible screens to move and copy to different folders.
Cons
Seems to want to be updated almost daily.
Summary
If I need to do anything more complicated that copying a single file to the desktop, I go to Q-Dir.
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"Very handy to install in own pc."
Version: Q-Dir 5.55
Pros
A great alternative file manager to have around.
Cons
There were a few quirks I encountered but nothing annoying.
Summary
Great to see visually what files are doing if you are transferring etc.
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"Seriously, What is it for again?"
Version: Q-Dir 5.52
Pros
+Good for non-analytical comparison. Like...clarity?
Cons
+have the same function as your mouse cursor, move, minimize and maximize.
Summary
If you are new to Windows and have problem comparing your business analytic or reports and decide to use this, I say....Just quit already you FOOLS!
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"Wonderful program. I use it all the time."
Version: Q-Dir 5.42
Pros
The ability to put up four different "file managers" simultaneously is the strength of this program. You can also create a list of favorites. Installation is painless. (However, when you install an updated version, you have to drag the installation file to the desktop and install from there, or use Windows Explorer, because the new version cannot install over the old one IF you have the old version open.)
Cons
Any "con" that I give is not a discouragement to others about this program.
As strange as it sounds, the program offers too much. It has too many trivial features that make it difficult to use at first. I have used the program for years, and I do not know what some of the options do. For example, you have an option for whether to have a tree in each of the views. To me it is silly not to have a tree in each of the four views, but in any case the abundance of options can be overwhelming.
A few weeks ago I did some MAJOR rearranging of files on my computer. Somehow in the process I must have accidentally triggered an option. I was suddenly not able to see any directories (folders) in the files area of View #3; I could see them in the tree, but not in in the files area. Normally you can see both folders and files. It took me weeks to discover that I could copy the settings from a "good" view to the "bad" view to restore the normal view.Summary
Despite the complications that the cornucopia of options presents, this program is indispensable to me. I use the 32-bit version. I have a 64-bit Windows 7 OS, and I have tried the 64-bit version of Q-Dir, but I am pretty sure that it caused a problem with 7-Zip. As I remember all of this, the 64-bit version of Q-Dir messed up the "context menu" in regard to 7-Zip, a zip/unzip program. (The context menu is the stuff that pops up when you right-click on a file, such as a zip file.) What happened was nothing disastrous, just annoying; the context menu was more cumbersome to use to get to the function of 7-Zip. I believe I tried this on two different occasions, with different updates of Q-Dir, several months apart in time.
I should have stated in the original that I am an amateur programmer and have worked with computers for 25 years.
I recommend this program without reservation. You may have to scratch your head over some of the options, but the defaults may be fine for you. It has been so long since I began using Q-Dir that I no longer remember what the defaults are. When you install an update, it knows how to use your previous settings. You can always use the defaults until you learn how to set your preferred options.
Updated on Nov 26, 2012 -
"Very good multi-pane file manager"
Version: Q-Dir 5.41
Pros
Fast, Efficient, compact, powerful, familiar
Cons
Can't think of any. It does what it says on the box
Summary
I've been looking for a simple, powerfull multi-pane file manager that just uses it's screenspace for managing files, rather than showing off fancy chrome, and this is it.
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"Does a Simple Task Well"
Version: Q-Dir 5.33
Pros
Easy to install and use and does what it says.
Cons
Unaware of any.
Summary
If you need to move files around to search for them on multiple devices, this tool does it for your.
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"So much easier to use than Explorer"
Version: Q-Dir 5.0
Pros
Lets you see where you are copying or moving from and to.
Cons
For some reason it took two tries to install, but that hasn't happened before with other versions.
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"Great program for shifting files."
Version: Q-Dir 4.94
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
The character size goes larger -automatically- after some time of use. Maybe there is a setting for such, but I haven't found it.
Summary
Overall good.
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"great free application"
Version: Q-Dir 4.93
Pros
Simple to use, let you open more than two file lists
Cons
Non that I could find.
In general I wish it could share the same keys as good old norton commander (2xExplorer does!!!)Summary
A good one
