TCExplorer for Windows

Simplicity can be a good thing, but in the case of this program to manage encrypted TrueCrypt files, a lack of thoughtful design proves frustrating.

TCExplorer doesn't install to your computer. You just run the executable file to use it. The interface is nothing more than a small window with a limited File menu. It doesn't need a multipage user manual, but a couple of lines to explain the program would be a real help. The File menu holds only three options: Open, Close, and Quit. Open pulls up a file browser, but there's no limit to the type of files it shows. Since the program only works on files encrypted by another open-source program, TrueCrypt, it would be a nice touch if it only displayed those files. Once you select a file you'll be prompted for a password. Although the publisher's brief description implies you can manage encrypted files with the program, the simple fact is that it's merely a mechanism to open a TrueCrypt vault. The only other features of TCExplorer are found in the confusing Options menu, which has two straightforward settings to keep the program on top and save window position. The other settings are all related to temporary files, but they use seemingly unnecessary shorthand that obscures the exact meaning. "Secure delete temp files" is one example. Is there an -ly missing from secure? We thought so, but we frankly wondered how much effort would it have taken to just spell that out. If these options are related to TrueCrypt files, it would be nice to have that spelled out as well.

If you want to manage TrueCrypt files, we suggest you use the program that created them and skip this redundant program altogether.