FreeCommander - 

FreeCommander XE on Windows x64


Comments on FreeCommander XE 32-bit version.


Like all 32-bit programs on Windows x64, FreeCommander is subject to the following restrictions:

  • 32-bit programs are not able to display the control panel.
  • 32-bit programs show different contents for the folder "%windir%\system32" and its subfolders.
    Notes:
    • %windir% is a system variable that points to the Windows install folder - often: c:\Windows
    • 32-bit programs are redirected from "%windir%\system32" to "%windir%\SysWOW64" automatically.
      For more detailed information see: Microsoft: File system redirector

Solutions

From Windows Vista x64 on, "Sysnative" is a hidden alias for the genuine "System32" folder.

So to access the genuine "%windir%\system32" folder, "%windir%\sysnative" can be used.

Under the menu item "Favorites → Favorites edit..." a new favorite can be added, with "%windir%\sysnative" in the input field "active panel".


Another possibility is a symbolic link. Automatic redirection of folders is not active for 32-bit programs if the program accesses the folder via a symbolic link. So it is sufficient to define a symbolic link for the folder "%windir%\system32" to access the genuine "%windir%\system32" folder. 

Example:

  • Navigate to the folder "c:\windows" in FreeCommander
  • Activate the menu item "Tools → DOS box..." while pressing and holding the shift key at the same time
  • Confirm "User Account Control"
  • A DOS box is opened with the folder "c:\windows\system32"
  • Create the symbolic link: mklink /J "symlink_System32" "c:\windows\system32"
  • It is now possible to navigate to the genuine "c:\windows\system32" folder via the symbolic link "symlink_System32"

Warning!

Symbolic links should be used only by experienced users.




Advantages of the 64-bit version

  • Context menu display is done in the 32 bit version with an external utility program. This can cause small problems from time to time.
    The 64 bit version can display the context menu natively.
  • The PDF display in the 32 bit version is implemented via external PDF viewers.
    To do this, an external PDF program must first be installed and then the configuration must be adjusted in FreeCommander.
    The 64 bit version has an internal PDF viewer (with many functions). You don’t need any external programs or configuration in FreeCommander.
  • The 32 bit version cannot search for text in pdf and Office files (docx, xlsx, odt).
    The 64 bit version can search and find the texts in pdf, docx, xlsx, odt.
  • The 32 bit version can perform basic operations via FTP.
    The 64 bit version can perform basic operations via FTP and SFTP.
  • The 64 bit version has built-in color schemes Dark, Dark_Blue, Solarized, Light
  • Updates for public 32 bit version – once per year, updates for 64 bit version – several times per year