xplorer²

{{Short description|File explorer application for Microsoft Windows}}

Image:Dual_pane_interface.png

{{lowercase}}

{{Infobox software

| name = xplorer² pro/ultimate

| screenshot =

| developer = Nikos Bozinis

| latest release version = 6.1.0.2

| latest release date = {{start date and age|2025|03|10}}

| platform = Microsoft Windows

| size = 4.0 MB (32 bit), 4 MB (64 bit) {{cite web |url=http://zabkat.com/alldown.htm |title=xplorer² download mirrors |publisher=zabkat.com |date=7 June 2009 |access-date=31 October 2020}}

| genre = File manager

| license = Commercial proprietary

| website = {{URL|www.zabkat.com}}

}}

{{Infobox software

| name = xplorer² Lite

| screenshot =

| developer = Nikos Bozinis

| latest release version = 6.1.0.0

| latest release date = {{start date and age|2025|03|10}}

| platform = Microsoft Windows

| size = 4 MB

| genre = File manager

| license = Freeware

| website = {{URL|www.zabkat.com/x2lite.htm}}

}}

xplorer² (formerly 2xExplorer) is a dual-pane file manager for Microsoft Windows operating systems, developed by Nikos Bozinis (Nikolaos Achilleos Bozinis). It offers the functionality of orthodox file managers through an interface similar to the familiar Windows Explorer. Some of its features are tabbed file management within each pane, viewing and editing text files, searching for files using arbitrary criteria, the ability to compare and synchronize folders and the ability to perform queued or concurrent copy and move operations with error handling (robust file transfer).{{cite web |url=http://www.zabkat.com/x2facts.htm |title=xplorer² Fact Sheet: improved file handling |publisher=zabkat.com |access-date=6 November 2009}} The file finder module is claimed to be “outclass” from other search tools.{{cite web |url=http://www.zabkat.com |title=The home page of xplorer² |publisher=zabkat.com |access-date=29 March 2010}}

xplorer² is fully shell integrated, supporting all windows shell extension handlers that provide preview, text content search and file property information. It also supports many Total Commander WDX/WLX/WCX extension plugins.

Later versions support multi-folder browsing in side-by-side panels (aka Miller columns), detect duplicate and similar files and pictures to clean up hard disk space.

xplorer² comes in two paid varieties, professional and ultimate. The ultimate version is more expensive but includes a faster search engine (it integrates with Windows Search) and is portable (can be run off a USB stick)

Apart from the commercial version of the program, there is also a version which is free for personal and academic use. Three features of the Professional version not present in the Lite version are advanced search (Omni-Finder), full Unicode support and robust transfer.{{cite web |url=http://www.zabkat.com/x2lite.htm |title=xplorer² lite: free windows explorer replacement (file manager) |publisher=zabkat.com |access-date=6 November 2009}}

xplorer² has been in constant development since 2002. Over the years there have been many independent reviews for xplorer². Lifehacker considered it the "best alternative file browser for windows" in a 2011 review,{{cite web |url=http://lifehacker.com/5824811/the-best-alternative-file-browser-for-windows |title=The Best Alternative File Browser for Windows |publisher=lifehacker.com |access-date=26 July 2011}} and many reviews rank it among the five best free replacements for Windows Explorer {{cite web |url=http://www.techregar.com/best-alternative-file-managers-for-windows/ |title=Best Alternative File Managers For Windows |publisher=techregar.com |access-date=4 April 2015}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-free-replacements-for-windows-explorer/ |title=Five free replacements for Windows Explorer |publisher=techrepublic.com |access-date=17 October 2011}}