Total Commander
| Total Commander
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| Basic data
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| developer | Christian Ghisler |
| Publishing year | September 25, 1993 |
| Current version | 9.51 ( Windows ) March 24, 2020 3.0 ( Android ) 2.04.1 ( Blackberry ) 2017.628.1003.2376 |
| Current preliminary version | 9.51RC6 (Windows), 3.01ß7 (Android) (March 18, 2020, August 11, 2020) |
| operating system | Windows , Windows CE , Android , Blackberry , Windows Phone , Windows 10 Mobile |
| programming language | Object Pascal , Delphi |
| category | File manager |
| License | Shareware , Windows CE and mobile versions: Freeware |
| German speaking | Yes |
| www.ghisler.com | |
Total Commander is a two-column file manager for Windows based on the Norton Commander . There are also free variants for the smartphone and tablet operating systems Android , Blackberry , Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile .
The shareware program is developed by the Swiss Christian Ghisler.
history
The first public version of the program was programmed in the Turbo Pascal programming language and appeared on September 29, 1993 under the name Windows Commander for the DOS operating system extension Windows. The background to this is that back then many power users preferred the original Norton Commander in connection with various command line programs directly in the DOS level for larger file operations . With a few tricks, this was also possible after the introduction of Windows 95 and with long file names . In 1998 the Windows version of Norton Commander came out, but it no longer supported some of the keyboard commands used under the MS-DOS version , was expensive and looked technically outdated.
Because of these conceptual errors, among other things, the Windows Commander was able to prevail over the Norton Commander, because it not only mastered all of its functions and key combinations , but also additional ones that proved to be very helpful.
In 2002 the name Windows Commander was changed to the current name Total Commander in order to avoid legal problems with the Microsoft registered trademark Windows .
From version 6.50 2004 the installation file no longer fit on a 1.44 MB floppy disk, which Christian Ghisler announced with some sadness.
The Total Commander is now being developed in Lazarus or Free Pascal and is one of the best-known representatives of the two-column file manager based on the Norton Commander .
Functions
The program can be adapted to the needs of the user in a variety of ways and can be completely controlled either using the mouse or the keyboard, the key combinations being based on the Norton Commander (for MS-DOS ).
Among other things, it offers the following functionalities:
- Directory tabs
- Extended search function (e.g. full text search in any files, across multiple drives and with support for regular expressions )
- Compare files by content to synchronize directories
- Integrated ZIP-compatible packer
- Internal decompressor for ZIP , ARJ , LHA , tar , gzip , CAB , RAR and ACE files, opening of compressed files as directories
- Integrated FTP client ( SSL optional)
- Renaming several files at the same time (regular expressions possible)
- Encoding and decoding of files ( UUE , XXE and MIME format)
- Built-in file previews for various audio, video and graphic formats
- Function for splitting and merging files of a given size
- Switch between more than 15 languages on the fly
- Print function of formattable file and directory lists
- Unicode capable (since 7.5)
- Support for file names longer than 259 characters (up to 1022) (since 7.5)
- Password protection for saved FTP passwords ( AES256 encryption ) (since 7.5)
- Horizontal and vertical buttons for quick start of external programs (since 7.5)
The plug-in support enables the integration of external plugins as well as normal programs (e.g. editors). The integrated preview uses the routines of an installed IrfanView or XnView to display images, if required .
Total Commander runs on all Windows versions from Windows 3.11 and NT 3.1. A 16-bit version for Windows 3.11 is still supported. The portable operation is possible by adjusting the INI file. Special installation packages for installation on USB memory sticks or U3 sticks are also available.
From version 8.0 beta, Total Commander is also available as a 64-bit version. The previous 32-bit plugins do not work with it and will be adapted step by step. Both variants (32- and 64-bit) can be installed in the same directory and thus share the settings, such as the assignment of the button bars with program start icons. The final version 8.0 has been available since mid-May 2012.
From version 9.0 (RC1) the file manager supports a vertical button bar that can be switched off between the two file windows. In addition to numerous other improvements and enhancements, there are redesigned icons for the main menu and the button bars that can be selected at the first start or later by right-clicking on the button bar, as well as dimmed symbols for hidden files or directories.
From version 2.60 PB1 the TC also supports the write functions of Android 5 on the external SD card .
Beta version
Before the final version is distributed, there are a number of beta versions that are released weekly. Users can test these and provide feedback. This is generally followed by various Release Candidate (RC) versions. In order to always have the current beta version , a special online installation program was written, which can be used from version 9.50 Beta 1.
Sales model
Total Commander is sold as shareware for Windows. When the program starts, a payment request is displayed that has to be clicked away with changing digits; there is no further restriction or restriction of the functions. With the purchase of a key file, this request does not apply, also for future versions - an unlimited right to update has existed since 1993.
Total Commander for Android
After a long beta test phase, Total Commander is available for the Android smartphone operating system. Since 20 December 2011 Release Candidate could ( English Release Candidate for download). The final versions will be available for download from May 18, 2012. TC4Android remains freeware and has an unlimited term.
The two-window display typical of the program is implemented in the vertical display by switching between the right and left window by means of a horizontal "swiping gesture". If the screen is in horizontal mode, the display is divided into the familiar two halves.
The file manager has similar functions as the Total Commander for Windows Mobile , for example copying, moving, deleting individual or marked files and entire directories. Text files can be created, viewed and changed.
Additional functions can be integrated with the help of extensions ( plug-ins ). An extension enables, for example, access to the network computers located in the wireless network ( WLAN ).
The release candidates were not available via the Google Play Store (formerly Android Market ), but only via a direct download from the manufacturer's website. Version 1.01 and all subsequent versions including the plugins are also available from the Google Play Store.
From version 2.01 the TC4Android has an internal audio and video player. Media files can now be played directly from the network storage device (if the LAN plug-in is installed) or via the Internet and do not have to be loaded onto the Android device before playing.
For various cloud storage systems such as Dropbox or Google Drive , plugins can be installed that allow access to the Internet data storage in the typical file manager manner.
From version 3.0 the file manager supports the formats rar5, 7z, tar, gz, z, bz2, arj, lha, lzh, iso, img and cab in addition to the well-known ZIP and RAR compressors. A multiple renaming tool similar to that of the big brother is also available. A content comparison of two files is now also possible.
Windows Mobile
The variant for Windows Mobile can replace the integrated file manager in terms of functionality. In addition to the basic functionality, this variant offers:
- Registry editor
- Access to the extended ROM
- Versatile options for file management
Web links
- Official website
- Official German-language wiki for the program
- Unofficial Total Commander site with listed plugins, etc. (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ List of changes - TotalcmdWiki .
- ↑ Version history for Windows. In: ghisler.com. Retrieved May 22, 2019 .
- ↑ Version history for Android. In: ghisler.com. Retrieved October 20, 2017 .
- ↑ Installation page for Android. In: Google Play . Retrieved October 20, 2017 .
- ↑ Installation page for Blackberry. In: Blackberry World . Retrieved October 20, 2017 .
- ↑ Installation page for Windows 10 Mobile and Windows Phone. In: Microsoft Store . Retrieved October 20, 2017 .
- ↑ Article in the Total Commander forum
- ↑ List of 64-bit plug-ins for the TC64
- ↑ TC forum accessed on December 17, 2019.
- ↑ Download the TC for Android
- ↑ TC4Android: Version history (English)