FreeCommander Forum

Hello,

I am using FreeCommander XE for some time now, but there something that is, for me, really annoying.
I don't know if there is an option in the settings or if it is the functionality of FreeCommander.

I have 2 partitions on my main PC and 3 drives that are mapped to the server.
For each partition and mapped drive i open a tab.
I am just using one panel with treeview.
I navigate to a tab, open the folders and subfolders that i use for working.
Example:
-Folder A
---SubFolder A
Folder B
---Subfolder B
------Subfolder B - B1
Folder C
---Subfolder C
------Subfolder C - C1
etc.

Let's say i have the focus on "Subfolder B - B1", when i change the tab and come back to my previous tab, "Folder A" as "Subfolder C - C1" will not be expanded anymore, only "Subfolder B - B1" will have the focus.
For me this is very annoying because i have to reopen these folders again. And i don't want to open a tab for each folder i am using.

Is this the functionality of FreeCommander or am i missing something?

Just to verify that I understand you:
You have multiple tabs open in a single pane. Initially you expand several nodes in the tree. But when you switch to a different tab and back again, all the tree nodes have collapsed except the one in focus in that tab. You would like the previously opened tree nodes to all stay opened. Is that correct?

Hello,

Yes that's exactly what i want
All expanded nodes in treeview should stay expanded and not collapse if i change the tab and come back again.

zia wrote:Is this the functionality of FreeCommander or am i missing something?

It must be the built-in behavior of FC-XE, because I don't see anything that would change it in Settings > View > Tree. I suggest you request it be added as an option.

The broadest set of options I've seen for node control is in the program KeyNote, which offers the following choices in a dropdown list for "Initial tree expand mode":
- Show tree fully collapsed
- Expand only last active node
- Expand only top level nodes
- Restore expanded state of all nodes
- Show tree fully expanded

The fourth option looks like what you want, whereas FC-XE follows the second option.

As a workaround in the meantime, you might try accessing previously opened folders via the dropdown history list. To display the list, either click on an empty place on the tab address bar; or Folder menu > History; or shortcut key Alt + Down. From there you can select any recent location. An advantage of the history list is that it will be remembered every time you open FC, so you don't have to set up your tree each time.

Note that you need to enable the following setting.
Settings > View > Folder Tabs > Tab Management tab
[x] Folder history per tab

Thank you for your reply.
The workaround is ok, but still annoying for everyday use

I will add my request as a new feature request hoping that it will be added as an option.

In fact FreeCommander is really a great tool and one of the best i've used so far. A feature like this would be really great.

Try to use the following tree options:

- One tree for both panels
- Base folder (desktop or computer)

With that options it is working. The folders do not collapse.

What i liked with the other option was the fact to have the tree of the selected drive in a tab and just navigate into those folders. I am used to work like this, even if the folders always collapse.
With your option you see all the drives and folders etc., like windows explorer, it's harder to keep the overview of all expanded folders.

I probably have to get used to this view , but if there is a possibility to add the same feature to the other view would be great

Thanks for your reply.