Windows Explorer replacement?
Monday, May 17, 2004 by Stealth870 | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I decided to make my Desktop a full blown explorer.exe-less desktop. Running DX, Objectbar, and WB all takes up less RAM then using explorer! One thing however is the fact that I cna't use Windows Explorer. Is there a program you know of the does everything explorer can and more?
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Stealth870
Reply #2 Monday, May 17, 2004 7:14 PM
Reply #2 Monday, May 17, 2004 7:14 PM
First, what is the difference between the bought and shareware version? And is there anything that "looks" better...
Jafo
Reply #3 Monday, May 17, 2004 7:24 PM
Reply #3 Monday, May 17, 2004 7:24 PM
http://www.v-com.com/product/pd_ind.html
A serious load of features...
Jafo
Reply #4 Monday, May 17, 2004 7:28 PM
Reply #4 Monday, May 17, 2004 7:28 PM
Forgot....the 'free trial' is not time limited, just has fewer features....
Stealth870
Reply #5 Wednesday, May 19, 2004 12:46 PM
Reply #5 Wednesday, May 19, 2004 12:46 PM
but it says:
"but use of the software is limited and expires after a set period of time."
"but use of the software is limited and expires after a set period of time."
Koasati
Reply #6 Wednesday, May 19, 2004 12:54 PM
Reply #6 Wednesday, May 19, 2004 12:54 PM
PowerDesk 5 Free Trial
Our Free version of PowerDesk 5 provides a number of the features of our more powerful PowerDesk Pro edition. This is fully usable without any time-limits.
http://www.v-com.com/product/pd_free_trial.html
Minion_Bob73
Reply #8 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 11:46 AM
Reply #8 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 11:46 AM
I saw this post and thought I would ask a question to any PowerDesk 5 users, instead of starting a new thread. Is anyone having problems with powerdesk not using the animations from windowblinds? Mine has just stopped using them and I can't figure out why. When I use windows explorer they work just fine, but not in PowerDesk 5. Anyone having this trouble?
craeonics
Reply #9 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 12:17 PM
Reply #9 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 12:17 PM
There's also: http://www.netez.com/xplorer2/
Most alternative file managers only add features. I have no need for extra features, I just want a slim file manager. So far I haven't found one yet, so I'm still using Explorer (under LiteStep).
Most alternative file managers only add features. I have no need for extra features, I just want a slim file manager. So far I haven't found one yet, so I'm still using Explorer (under LiteStep).
pinchecl
Reply #10 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 12:21 PM
Reply #10 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 12:21 PM
Oracle, I have the same problem. Strangest thing is that sometimes the animation suddenly works (and the next time doesn't). Haven't figured out yet what causes that.
Minion_Bob73
Reply #11 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 12:22 PM
Reply #11 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 12:22 PM
Thanks, I will give the trial a try. I got to find something that will use those animations, because I hate looking at those plan ones built into XP. 
CygnusXII
Reply #12 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 1:55 PM
Reply #12 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 1:55 PM
PowerDesk Pro is good, as is the FreeWare version.
Don't forget Novatix Explorer Plus.
http://www.novatix.com/Products/ExplorerPlus/FreeEval.asp
Just a note, PowerDesk Pro 5 has been around for several years, so it is relatively stable. I bought it back when it belonged to another company, and was version 4, along with zipMagic.
Don't forget Novatix Explorer Plus.
http://www.novatix.com/Products/ExplorerPlus/FreeEval.asp
Just a note, PowerDesk Pro 5 has been around for several years, so it is relatively stable. I bought it back when it belonged to another company, and was version 4, along with zipMagic.
mrtee
Reply #13 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 10:25 PM
Reply #13 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 10:25 PM
I used PowerDesk for years. Had problems with it and HP software. V-com could do nothing, they are only resellers of products.
Now I use ExplorerPlus 6 (from the same people that brought you PowerDesk) http://www.novatix.com/. This is hard to find on their site "Novatix Corporation was established in 2001 by the founders of Mijenix Corporation, developer of award-winning Windows utilities such as SystemSuite, Fix-It Utilities, ZipMagic, and PowerDesk. A privately held company, Novatix is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado."
Try it, you'll like it.
Just my 2¢ worth, Jeff
Now I use ExplorerPlus 6 (from the same people that brought you PowerDesk) http://www.novatix.com/. This is hard to find on their site "Novatix Corporation was established in 2001 by the founders of Mijenix Corporation, developer of award-winning Windows utilities such as SystemSuite, Fix-It Utilities, ZipMagic, and PowerDesk. A privately held company, Novatix is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado."
Try it, you'll like it.
Just my 2¢ worth, Jeff
IPlural
Reply #14 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 11:14 PM
Reply #14 Tuesday, August 3, 2004 11:14 PM
DirectoryOpus and then I ran StyleIT on the exe so that it now themes with msstyles and skins with Windowblinds...
Lotherius
Reply #15 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 10:23 AM
Reply #15 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 10:23 AM
The problem I've encountered looking for explorer.exe replacements, is that they don't *really* replace explorer.exe's functionality. They replace part of it - ie, being a file manager. What they don't do, specifically, is the control panel. Some parts of the control panel *require* that explorer.exe be loaded to function, so even if you direct link them with control.exe, and the options for which panel to show, it will reload explorer into memory.
Jafo
Reply #16 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 10:28 AM
Reply #16 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 10:28 AM
Just loaded Control Panel via PDesk Pro 5....no sign of explorer.exe running at all.....[not running as shell, either]...
paxx
Reply #17 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 10:39 AM
Reply #17 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 10:39 AM
I'm sure some items in the control panel will open Exploder, Jafo. How about Add/Remove Programs?
BTW: Installed and currently trying ExplorerPlus 6. Very very good. I like it. Had PowerDesk before, and although they are similar, I find ExplorerPlus better made, prettier and faster.
BTW: Installed and currently trying ExplorerPlus 6. Very very good. I like it. Had PowerDesk before, and although they are similar, I find ExplorerPlus better made, prettier and faster.
CygnusXII
Reply #18 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 11:34 AM
Reply #18 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 11:34 AM
Correct me if I am wrong but isn't add and remove an applet spawned by explorer via rundl32?
In order to replace the functionality you will have to actually replace the function, via another program like Uninstaller 2003, or some other type of application. I think you will find that for every applet that is wanted to be replaced that you will have to find it's analog via a Windows software Vendor. Once you start doing this then I think the list can get quite repetative. Explorer is tied in to everything at some level. Microsoft never inteneded for Windows to run without it. I mean sure litestep, and the many other shell's are fine and might even work better, but we all know they are not supported or encouraged by MS. Bypassing them, turns Windows into a (SEP) Somebody Else's Problem. Now I applaud anyone wanting to take the Operating System to a level of functionality, that is more stable than Windows Standard, Vanilla Install, but there is a point you reach when aggravation is outweighed by resources and sheer effort involved in trying to replace the offending or supposedly unstable applications.
I have a machine that sits under my desk and runs WindowsXP, very basic install, just my core application and performs a simple function, downloading from Usenet, this machine never goes Unstable or flakes out, and runs for weeks and months at a time. It only is recycled when the power is reset for some reason, or maintenance. By mantenance I mean I start to freak at how long it has been running unattended, and feel guilty and defrag it or do something else.
In order to replace the functionality you will have to actually replace the function, via another program like Uninstaller 2003, or some other type of application. I think you will find that for every applet that is wanted to be replaced that you will have to find it's analog via a Windows software Vendor. Once you start doing this then I think the list can get quite repetative. Explorer is tied in to everything at some level. Microsoft never inteneded for Windows to run without it. I mean sure litestep, and the many other shell's are fine and might even work better, but we all know they are not supported or encouraged by MS. Bypassing them, turns Windows into a (SEP) Somebody Else's Problem. Now I applaud anyone wanting to take the Operating System to a level of functionality, that is more stable than Windows Standard, Vanilla Install, but there is a point you reach when aggravation is outweighed by resources and sheer effort involved in trying to replace the offending or supposedly unstable applications.
I have a machine that sits under my desk and runs WindowsXP, very basic install, just my core application and performs a simple function, downloading from Usenet, this machine never goes Unstable or flakes out, and runs for weeks and months at a time. It only is recycled when the power is reset for some reason, or maintenance. By mantenance I mean I start to freak at how long it has been running unattended, and feel guilty and defrag it or do something else.
CygnusXII
Reply #19 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 11:43 AM
Reply #19 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 11:43 AM
Sorry for the rambling. The real culprit in my book, are the many instances of things running under svchost.exe. Now you have to be a rocket scientist to ascertain what is going on in there. I mean crap just go into Admin Tools / services and try to wrangle those out. MS sticks a warning in the desriptions similar to "Beyond there be Dragons!" or might as well be everything has this might cause XXX to stop responding and XXX usually means Explorer, Since the slightest things can crash Explorer, at the most inopportune times.
Minion_Bob73
Reply #20 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 1:48 PM
Reply #20 Wednesday, August 4, 2004 1:48 PM
Paxx..you said you used to run powerdesk did you ever run across the problem I am having of it not using the windowblind animations? Also, you said now you use ExplorerPlus does it use them. Seems like something small but not having those animations is driving me nuts.
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Reply #1 Monday, May 17, 2004 6:31 PM
I've been using this a long time now.
Havent used Explorer in years......