Sometimes, we may need one or more special functions, while exploring our files and folders, but Windows does not have too much to offer. This is where Super Explorer comes in. It is designed to be a replacement for Windows Explorer and it can make your work easier. Besides navigating through your files and folders, you can perform various actions, for which you would normally need external applications. Due to its small setup kit, Super Explorer can be downloaded and installed on any computer, with any Windows version, in less than a minute. Although the application is not free, a fully functional trial version is available and it can be used without any kind of restrictions, until it expires.

The initial layout of the interface resembles a standard explorer window. Besides the navigation pane located on the left side and the files and folders list, on the right side, you can find a wide variety of options, located on a series of toolbars. You can use them for basic tasks, like copying, cutting, pasting or deleting files or you can use them to convert images, compress or encrypt files and more. A clear advantage over Windows Explorer is the fact that Super Explorer allows you to create up to four windows, within the main interface. Furthermore, you can cascade the windows or tile them horizontally or vertically. With two simple clicks, you can switch from an explorer-like interface to a multi-panel file manager, like Total Commander or other similar applications.

Additionally, you can bring up a preview window, within the same interface, which can be tiled or cascaded along with the other windows. Besides showing the selected images, the preview window can be used to play audio and video files or open documents. Additional features can be found in the Tools menu. You can launch the operating system’s calculator, access various Control Panel sections, open a DOS prompt, bring up a clipboard viewer and more.

Customizable interface

While it may not be apparent from the start, the program can display up to four windows contained in its main interface. This way you can effortlessly copy or move files from one location to the other. Additionally, a great feature is the ability to add your own utilities to the “Tools” menu for easy access.

While the toolbar looks dated, by today’s standards, it fulfills its job by providing quick avenue to the most used features, such as cut, copy and paste, file archiving or rearranging the view panes.

Keep sensitive data private

In addition, Super Explorer features the ability to encrypt and decrypt files. This is paramount if you want an extra layer of protection for your sensitive files. Decrypting is as simple as typing the correct password and choosing the output folder.

As a downside for some, encrypted files are not marked in any way, nor are their extensions changed so you will have to figure out a way to distinguish between normal and protected files. Yet some users like their encrypted files to not draw any unnecessary attention.

Light photo conversion

Without too many customization options, the internal image conversion tool is certainly a good addition. Straight from the application, you can convert between JPGs, BMPs, TIFFs, PNGs, PCXs and non-animated GIFs.

Your personal tool belt

As mentioned above, Super Explorer allows you to add your most-used executables to the “Tools” menu. Nonetheless, the ability to divide the added shortcuts into categories is missing and you are limited to a maximum of nine entries. This is sufficient for all but the most demanding power-users.

However, on modern operating systems, the application may display some errors while running. A quick restart of the application should fix that.

Conclusion

Alternatives for file browsing tasks are handy to have around and Super Explorer enables you to do more while retaining the familiar look and feel of the default Windows application. While it needs a bit more polish and a facelift to match today’s standards, this application can boost your productivity.