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Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

How to add a "copy path" option to the Windows context menu

Copy Path
When you right-click on any file in the Windows Explorer, you can cut, paste, open, delete, or rename the file. But what if what you really want to do is copy the file path so you can paste it into a new window, a text document, or another file?

Copy Path is a utility that adds a... well, a "copy path" option to the Windows right-click context menu. It's similar to ClipPath, a program we covered a few years ago. but Copy Path has one option that ClipPath doesn't, which is the ability to copy not just the path for an individual file, but also the path for a folder and/or the parent folder of the file or folder you just clicked on.

If you're still not convinced that ClipPath is actually useful, think about how many times you've tried to upload an email attachment and had to click the browse button and sort through folders to find the file you want to upload. With Copy Path (or ClipPath), if you already have the file open in another window you can just right-click, copy the file path and paste it into the attachment window for your email client.

[via Freeware Genius]

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Desktop Media creates desktop shortcuts for flash drives, removable media

Desktop Media
When you insert a USB flash drive or removable storage like a CD or SD card into a Linux computer, you'll often see a shortcut pop up on your desktop. When you do the same thing in Windows, you probably see an often-annoying pop up menu asking what you'd like to do with your removable media.

Desktop Media is a small Windows app that brings up a Linux-like desktop shortcut whenever you insert removable media. The application can automatically detect CDs, DVDs, RAM disks, or removable flash drives or other storage. When you remove the drive, the shortcut disappears.

Desktop Media is available as a free download for Windos XP or Vista.

[via Freeware Genius]

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Add a bookmark menu to Windows Explorer right-click menu

Shock BookmarkShock Bookmark is a utility that adds a bookmark menu to the right-click context menu in Windows Explorer. But you probably figured that out from the headline. So here's a little more information.

When you click the right mouse button in Windows Explorer or on your desktop you'll see a new Shock Bookmark menu. You can click the add/delete bookmark button to add or remove the current folder to your list of bookmarks. Or you can copy or move any folder or file to a folder that's already in your bookmarks with just a few clicks.

The program is free, but the download page is pretty busy. Just make sure to download the "Setup_ShockBookmark.exe" file and not one of the many other links on the page or you could find yourself in an endless loop. Not that that's what happened to me...

[via Shell Extension City]

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

UltraExplorer makes Windows file management easier

UltraExplorer
There's no shortage of Windows Explorer replacements. While many offer features missing from Windows Explorer like dual pane viewing or tabs, UltraExplorer goes a few steps further. Here are just a few of the features packed into this light weight file manager for Windows:
  • Built in command line window that syncs with the open folder
  • Viewer window for previewing the contents of selected files
  • Dual pane viewing
  • Shortcuts for changing views (thumbnails, list, details, etc)
Probably the coolest feature is a "Drop Stack" window which is like a super-charged copy and paste clipboard. Just drag a file or group of folders to the Drop Stack, change folders, and drag them fromt the stack to your new window.

You can also install UltraExplorer on a portable USB flash drive by copying the contents of the installation directory to your flash drive.

[via Lifehacker]

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

How to add a file extension column to Windows Explorer

CPExt
You can use Windows Explorer to sort files by name, size, file type, or date modified. But for some reason Microsoft doesn't give you the option to sort by file extension. CPExt does.

In order to install CPExt, you need to download and unzip the installer to a temporary folder. Right click on the file marked CPExt.inf and select install. Once you reboot your system you'll be able to add an Ext column by right-clicking on a column in Windows Explorer and choosing "more" from the drop down menu. And then you can proceed to systematically delete every EXE file on your hard drive and make your computer practically unusable. So umm... proceed with caution.

[via gHacks]

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Folder View adds recent and favorite folders to Windows Explorer

Folder ViewFolder View is a free Windows utility that gives you quick access to the folders you use most often in Windows Explorer. You can add shortcuts for every folder in My Documents, or choose custom folders to add to the toolbar. We'd advise against selecting an entire drive, since you'll wind up with a toolbar several rows deep filled with folders. It sort of defeats the purpose of having shortcuts when it takes you five minutes to find the one you're looking for.

As Martin at gHacks points out, one of the most useful features of Folder View is the recent folders toolbar. If you've accidentally closed a folder that you want to recover, this feature can be a life saver. It's not quite as magical as the recover closed tab feature in Firefox, but it's actually more useful since you can also use the Recent folders button to access your most frequently used folders in a snap.

Folder View also shows up in your Windows download and upload dialog boxes, making it easy to keep your files organized if you like to store your downloaded files in several different directories.

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

DMEXBar gives Windows Explorer super powers

DMEXBar
There are plenty of alternatives to the Windows file explorer. But since you can't uninstall the default file explorer, you might as well learn to love it. Or tweak the heck out of it. Whatever floats your boat.

DMEXBar is a Windows Explorer add-on that lets you add a few extra toolbars and dozens of extra features to Explorer. Probably the most notable tweak is the addition of a button that lets you instantly open up a second instance of Windows Explorer next to your current window. This makes it incredibly easy to copy or move files from one folder to another.

You can also add buttons making it easier to launch a command prompt, copy or paste files, or mark them as favorites. The little calculator buttons lets you see how much disk space is used or remaining. There's also a breadcrumb-like toolbar that shows you a list of folders. DMEXBar works with Windows 2000 and XP.

[via Freeware Genius]

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