Q-Dir 5.34

If you find Windows Explorer frustrating, Q-Dir is a creative way to get more control over your files. It's a simple tool: rather than being able to look in one location, folder or file at a time, Q-Dir presents a single window split into four sections, each of which can display different locations.

The effect is the same as opening four different copies of Windows Explorer at the same time, but without the hassle of trying to remember which copy is active at any time. This makes it considerably easier to manage and organise large collections of files. For example, if all your internet downloads land in a single folder, Q-Dir is a simple way to sort them out and put them into different locations such as your music collection, My Documents or a back-up directory.

If four windows isn't enough, you can have multiple locations open in one window using tabs, in the same way as modern web browser handle multiple pages.

One downside is that the split-screen means the icons -- which are repeated across the four windows -- are fairly small and it can be tricky at first to work out and remember what each one does.

You may also find if you use Q-Dir a lot that you come to rely on it. Fortunately you can install it on a USB drive so that you can use it on any machine.

Pros: Makes exploration of large file collections much more convenient.

Cons: Having so much information on screen at once means small icons.

Conclusions: One of those applications where you never know you need it until you've given it a try.