When it comes to managing files in Windows, most people stick to the built in option and work with Explorer. While it is a reasonably capable tool, it is not always suitable for the more demanding user and this is where Total Commander can help. The program is an Explorer replacement tool which features a dual window view designed to make it easier to copy and move files from one folder to another. But the capabilities of Total Commander extend far beyond this - there is a powerful search facility that can be used to home in on files and a folder comparison and synchronisation tool which ideal for backups and web designers.

A Quick View panel is available for the viewing of a wide range of image formats, and integrated support for compressed files such as ZIP, ARJ, RAR and CAB means that you are able to view the contents of archives without the need to extract them first. There is also an integrated FTP server which means that working with local files is virtually identical to working with those stored on a remote server.

A tabbed interface makes allows for working with multiple folders simultaneously without the need for multiple program windows, and a history and favouriting option makes it easy to jump to frequently used locations. The multi-file renaming tool is ideal for digital camera owners as it greatly speeds up the process of renaming large numbers of files in one fell swoop. The rather dated look of the program may not to be everyone's taste, but this is an extremely powerful tool which can be extended even further through the use of plugins.