Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Productivity, Freeware
Folder Guide Speeds Windows Directory Browsing
by Lee Mathews Aug 23rd 2008
If you spend any amount of time moving files around using Windows Explorer, the repetitive clicking can get tiresome. Folder Guide is a context menu enhancement that speeds your navigation: add a folder to your Guide, and accessing it is a two-click operation from any explorer window or file dialog box.
Adding a folder to Folder Guide can be done two ways. Launch the main program, click the add button, set up an alias, and browse for your path. Oddly, the developers chose to use the explore view which means there's no access to the right-click shortcuts you've already created to make navigating easier.
The easier - and more logical way - is to simply browse for your folder and right-click it. Choose add to folder guide, and you're done. You won't be prompted for an alias, so to edit the default name you'll need to use the application itself.
Snce Folder Guide works with file dialogs it's available just about everywhere you want to make directory browsing faster: attaching files in GMail, selecting a save location for a screen capture, you name it.
Folder Guide is freeware, and Windows only, of course. No mention is made on the site of Vista or 64-bit compatibility.
Adding a folder to Folder Guide can be done two ways. Launch the main program, click the add button, set up an alias, and browse for your path. Oddly, the developers chose to use the explore view which means there's no access to the right-click shortcuts you've already created to make navigating easier.
The easier - and more logical way - is to simply browse for your folder and right-click it. Choose add to folder guide, and you're done. You won't be prompted for an alias, so to edit the default name you'll need to use the application itself.
Snce Folder Guide works with file dialogs it's available just about everywhere you want to make directory browsing faster: attaching files in GMail, selecting a save location for a screen capture, you name it.
Folder Guide is freeware, and Windows only, of course. No mention is made on the site of Vista or 64-bit compatibility.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kingkool68 said 1:43PM on 8-23-2008
It seems dumb to keep these in your contextual menu. I would rather tag my folders with a keyword and use something like SlickRun -> http://www.bayden.com/SlickRun/ to bring them up.
Reply
Lee Mathews said 1:45PM on 8-23-2008
How does that help with file dialog boxes? ;-)
Rim said 6:32PM on 8-23-2008
FastFolders is the best! nothing and I mean nothing beats it! I wouldn't use windows without it. it's something that should be built into windows. it give me super fast filemanagement workflow. worth every ounce too. http://www.desksoft.com/FastFolders.htm
Reply
Lee Mathews said 6:28PM on 8-23-2008
It is nice, but it's shareware. $15 to register, and FolderGuide is free. Not that I'm saying $15 is much to pay for an app like this, it's well worth it.
Mark Kemp said 9:49PM on 8-23-2008
Flash Folder, free and excellent. It puts a bar on top of file dialog boxes with shortcuts to recent, often used or saved folders.
The only thing is that it uses the default window border color and it's easy to miss on dialog boxes.
http://www.zett42.de/flashfolder/
Reply
Sridhar said 8:42AM on 8-24-2008
DirectFolders free version is faster and easier to use. Just double click on empty space in windows explorer and the favorites menu opens up.
Reply
MK said 8:16AM on 8-29-2008
DirectFolders stay in your system tray. Folder Guide doesn't
Firax said 6:45PM on 8-25-2008
I knew FolderGuide before and have been using it for months now. But the fact that I can't browse folder structures right from FolderGuide REALLY bothers me. So FastFolders seems a good alternative. However, it's not free...
Does anyone know more alternatives?
Reply
piyo said 10:31AM on 8-29-2008
Wow this is truly excellent and useful. I used to define environment variables like %mypic%=C:\data\pic and type that into the address bar, but this FG with the context menu is a good reminder. Also it works with Japanese (and probably other language) filenames, with some terrible fonting but its perfectly editable through copy and paste. You can even export the settings to edit it and then re-import. Very thoughtful.
If I had to complain about something, it's that the main window feels hard to manipulate, eg. no drag-and-drop, no drag-resort, modal dialogs. But you rarely use the FG main window after you set up your shortcuts. Also it seems that you can't quit the functionality, nor can you "portable app" it.
Reply