Linux Desktop File Managers

Posted on: January 31st, 2012 by 10 Comments

Krusader Screenshot

Linux is all about options and along with your default desktop environment you can also choose your default file manager. There are many good file managers available for Linux, each with their own unique abilities.

File Manager Differences

Some of these file managers are designed to maximize speed and efficiency when navigating your file system, some file managers simply maximize the list of available options to give users flexibility.

The Perfect File Manager

The most popular file browsers have two panel file browsing or at least a tabbed browsing functionality. So be sure to find a file manager that works well for your needs.

Dolphin File Manager

This is the standard file manager for the KDE desktop environment. This is a fairly basic file manager that still packs a lot of advanced functionality for power users. Dolphin is also loaded with options and customization settings.

The interface is similar to other common file managers as well. Dolphin also supports three different view modes, file previews, and split views for convenience. As with other standard file managers tabbed navigation is also available.

Dolphin File Manager

Krusader File Manager

Krusader is an advanced file manager sometimes found with the KDE desktop. This is a two panel file manager with many options and customizable user actions. This file manager also offers directory synchronization and bulk renaming tools built-in which is very convenient, you can even manage your archived files. Krusader also has several customizable keyboard shortcuts for actions and navigation.

Krusader File Manager

Nautilus File Manager

This is the common file manager found on the Gnome desktop. Nautilus is well-known for having fantastic support for attached file storage devices and network shared resources. You can also customize many of your favorite locations to quickly navigate to important directories.

Nautilus also has a variety of options, and tabbed directory browsing. The Nautilus interface is highly customizable you can even add backgrounds for your directories.

Nautilus File Manager

PCMan File Manager

PCManFM can commonly found with the LXDE desktop, this is a lightweight file manager that actually has loads of features. PCManFM can display thumbnail images while browsing your files, and tabbed browsing is available. Multiple viewing modes are available for PCManFM, and files can even be dragged into different tabs.

PCManFM File Manager

Thunar File Manager

Here is a file manager which can usually be found on the XFCE desktop environment, and like everything related to XFCE Thunar is blazing fast, and highly stable. With improved support for storage and network devices Thunar is getting better every day.

Thunar uses a simple interface, with an area to store your favorite locations of course. Thunar is also very customizable, and different viewing modes are available as well.

Thunar File Manager
Linux Desktop Software

Tags: , , , , , | Posted in Applications

  • Fixitmanarizona

    There is a new project, Marlin File Manager. You might want to take a look at it!
    http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/11/how-to-install-marlin-file-browser-in-ubuntu-11-10/
    “Marlin is in active development and should not be considered stable or feature complete…
    It will be the default file browser in the next release of the elementary project’s operating system ‘Luna’.(12.10)” –(From the webpage)
    It, however, works great on my Xubuntu 11.10 install, where I had switched the file browser to Dolphin. (Xubuntu is xfce, with Gnome libraries, but Dolphin is KDE, however Xubuntu allows you to use both libraries.)
    I still like Dolphin a lot, but for some, Marlin might be a better choice. With KDE becoming less popular (Ubuntu will not be paying their Kubuntu developer any longer, for instance, though it will remain available) it might be time for a change. –Fixitmanarizona

    • http://linuxlibrary.org thinkinhurtz

      Fantastic information, thanks a lot! I myself am not very fond of Dolphin file manager, and as I am using Kubuntu 11.10 at the moment this might be the perfect alternative. PCManFM is lacking some network resource detection, so I am still looking.

      Its time to try something other than Nautilus!

      Thanks again for the great information, an article will be coming on this topic soon.

    • chipbuster

      Canonical’s not paying the Kubuntu dev anymore? D:

      I guess it’s full steam ahead with Unity for those guys.

      Out of curiosity, what do you guys look for in a file manager? I haven’t really  found myself to like one or dislike another yet.

      • http://linuxlibrary.org thinkinhurtz

        Have you been hiding in a box for a while? Not reading the news? hah

        I was rather upset about the decision to stop supporting Kubuntu, I would hate to see it deteriorate.

        As for file managers there are a few key factors I look for. Tabbed browsing, or tiled window browsing, allowing you to split the main window… I prefer both features, so I can choose what to use when I need the alternative.

        Also thumbnails… Thumbnails tend to slow down the file browser significantly… with file browsers like PCManFM you will barely notice a slow down with thumbnails.

        Nautilus however allows better thumbnailing for folders and directories… this is convenient to see their contents. Some file managers don’t use this feature… or don’t have enough options… in some cases you can use a single image to represent a folder… or 4 small thumbnails that sit inside the folder icon.

        Also auto-detection of network file systems and attached devices. Nautilus and Dolphin have fantastic support, Thunar is even coming along well. I use lots of shares and lots of devices…. with frequent reinstalls this saves me from lots of config editing.

        • http://linuxlibrary.org thinkinhurtz

          For some reason the look of Dolphin makes me gag though…

        • chipbuster

          I unfortunately do not follow the Canonical news, or much news at all, for that matter. Hell, the upcoming kernel upgrade to LMDE slipped right past me, and that was my active distro at the time .__.

          I personally don’t have a huge issue with file manage choice, I guess mostly because I never thought too much about them. As long as it automounts, it’s good enough for me.

          I’ll probably change my tune once I get the chance to manage large numbers of files though :

  • fixitmanarizona

    You can change the look of about anything, and Dolphin is pretty customizable. I initially went with it because it has a previewer, which I really missed ever since XP took it off on Windows. (98 & 2000 had built in customizable folders where you could turn it on and off, and customize each folders background. I actually found a way to do this with XP but it was a pain. Apparently some of the functionality is back with 7.)

    So, in short, I was looking for an “old fashioned” file browser with the following: Tree view on the left, and a split pane on the right, showing previews and folder contents in detail view. I’d also like to be able to browse for folders and then open a specific one from the desktop via an expandable dropdown system. (Again, windows style ~ )Thunar does this by default, but I just don’t like Thunar’s not having previews built in, or some of the other ways it works.

    Dolphin always opens the same folder, no matter if you try to open it to a specific one. It’s a minor issue but it just bugs the heck out of me having to browse again in the tree view when I’ve already done it on the desktop.

    Marlin looks promising, for what I want.

    I guess I could get used to using Synapse (desktop searchbox) which brings up whichever folder you want (if you can remember its name,) or anything else, heck it will even open a Google search for stuff on the web in your browser,) but that’s not the solution I was looking for. It’s a pretty nifty and swift application, though. Apparently it’s associated with the Zeitgeist project, which Unity makes heavy use of (but that’s another story.)

     

    • http://linuxlibrary.org thinkinhurtz

      Synapse huh? I will have to try it, thanks for the info. Unfortunately I am not exactly comfortable with the Zeitgeist project… as I am so concerned about security that I don’t even like my computer to know what I am doing. hah

      Nice to see you back again fixitman :)

       

  • fixitmanarizona

    Thanks! Yes, I’m not super comfortable with Zeitgeist either, like I mentioned, it’s heavily associated with Unity, as well, so I’m not thrilled.

    • http://linuxlibrary.org thinkinhurtz

      Well I will be looking into both of these projects very soon (Zeitgeist and Synapse). Thanks for all of your input! We are busy busy with lots of projects outselves so be patient. Feel free to sign up if you would like to share more of your own useful information. We look forward to seeing you more as the site expands! :)