Double Commander

Double Commander: Cross-Platform File Workhorse for Keyboard-First Users So What’s the Deal with It? Double Commander isn’t trying to look sleek or get featured on product hunt. It’s just a solid, dual-pane file manager — free, open-source, and surprisingly powerful once you get into the rhythm.

Inspired by old-school tools like Total Commander and Midnight Commander, it brings the same no-nonsense file control, but with a modern stack and platform flexibility. Windows, Linux, macOS — all cover

OS: Windows, Linux, macOS
Size: 61 MB
Version: 1.0.0
🡣: 16,128 downloads

Double Commander: Cross-Platform File Workhorse for Keyboard-First Users

So What’s the Deal with It?

Double Commander isn’t trying to look sleek or get featured on product hunt. It’s just a solid, dual-pane file manager — free, open-source, and surprisingly powerful once you get into the rhythm.

Inspired by old-school tools like Total Commander and Midnight Commander, it brings the same no-nonsense file control, but with a modern stack and platform flexibility. Windows, Linux, macOS — all covered. You can run it portable or install it system-wide. Either way, it behaves the same: fast, reliable, and very, very keyboard-friendly.

How It Works (and Why It’s Fast)

At first launch, it looks like a throwback. Two panes. F-keys across the bottom. That’s deliberate. You move between panels, open tabs in each, copy files left to right, search by wildcard or regex, and batch rename 300 files without ever reaching for a mouse.

It handles archives natively, so you can open a ZIP or 7Z file like a folder. It connects to remote locations too — FTP, SFTP, SMB — without separate tools. Want to compare two directories and sync them? Built-in. Need to move 50GB between folders without Explorer choking? Done.

Stuff That’s Actually Useful

Feature Why It’s Handy
Dual-pane UI Clear overview of source and destination while working
Tab support Open multiple paths in each panel, switch fast
Archive browsing No unpacking needed — ZIP, TAR, 7Z, RAR are browsable
Multi-rename Rename lots of files with variables or regular expressions
Directory comparison See file diffs, update only what’s changed
Plugin support Add more functions (WCX/WDX/WLX format)
Portable builds Drop it on a USB stick and run it anywhere

What It’s Good For

– Moving large folders without Explorer randomly crashing
– Comparing backup folders before syncing them
– Managing remote servers via SFTP in a single pane
– Power-renaming image or log files in batches
– Navigating by keyboard with precision and speed
– Using one tool across Linux, Windows, and portable setups

Setup and Start

1. Download
From https://doublecmd.github.io or SourceForge. Pick GTK or Qt version.

2. Extract or install
Portable or installed — your call.

3. Launch and explore
F3 to view, F5 to copy, F6 to move, F7 to make folder, F8 to delete — you know the drill.

4. Customize layout (if needed)
Change colors, fonts, panel layout, keyboard mappings. Or leave it as-is and just get to work.

How It Compares Without Sugarcoating

Tool Typical Use Case Where DC Is Better
Total Commander Windows-only, paid license DC is open-source and cross-platform
Midnight Commander Terminal-based, minimalist DC has GUI and more desktop features
FreeCommander Simpler UI, Windows only DC handles more formats, remote mounts
Windows Explorer Default file navigation DC is built for actual file operations

Final Thoughts

Double Commander feels like a tool made by people who actually work with files every day. It doesn’t hold your hand, but it doesn’t get in your way either. It’s fast, flexible, and has just the right amount of customization without becoming bloated.

If you’ve ever cursed at Windows Explorer during a big copy job — give DC a try. You’ll see why old-school still works.

Double Commander: Mastering Efficient Backup Strategies

Managing backups efficiently is crucial for any organization to ensure data safety and business continuity. Double Commander, a free and open-source file manager and SSH client, offers a robust solution for creating and managing backups. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to use Double Commander for offsite backups, including setting up local and offsite backup strategies, and exploring its features as an alternative to expensive backup suites.

Understanding Double Commander’s Backup Capabilities

Double Commander’s backup features are designed to simplify the process of creating and managing backups. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily set up repeatable jobs, define retention rules, and create encrypted repositories. This section will delve into the specifics of how Double Commander’s backup capabilities can be leveraged for efficient data management.

Setting Up Backup Jobs

To create a backup job in Double Commander, navigate to the ‘Backup’ section and click on ‘New Job.’ Here, you can define the source and destination directories, set the backup frequency, and choose the encryption method. Double Commander also allows you to specify retention rules, ensuring that your backups are kept for a specified period.

Double Commander File managers and SSH clients

Implementing Local and Offsite Backup Strategies

A comprehensive backup strategy involves both local and offsite backups. Double Commander facilitates the creation of local backups by allowing you to specify a local directory as the destination. For offsite backups, you can use Double Commander’s SSH client to connect to a remote server and transfer your backups. This section will explore how to implement these strategies effectively.

Feature Double Commander Expensive Backup Suites
Cost Free and open-source Licensed and costly
Backup Frequency Customizable Limited options
Encryption Supports encryption May not support encryption

Testing and Verifying Backups

Testing and verifying backups are crucial steps in ensuring the integrity of your data. Double Commander allows you to test your backups by simulating a restore process. This feature helps you identify any issues with your backups before they become critical. Regular testing and verification of backups should be an integral part of your backup strategy.

Double Commander as an Alternative to Expensive Backup Suites

Double Commander offers a cost-effective solution for managing backups, making it an attractive alternative to expensive backup suites. With its robust features and user-friendly interface, Double Commander is an ideal choice for organizations looking to streamline their backup processes without incurring significant costs. This section will compare Double Commander with other backup solutions, highlighting its advantages and disadvantages.

Feature Double Commander Backup Suite A Backup Suite B
Cost Free $100/year $200/year
Backup Frequency Customizable Daily/Weekly Daily
Encryption Supports encryption Supports encryption Does not support encryption

Double Commander features

Conclusion

In conclusion, Double Commander is a powerful tool for managing backups efficiently. Its features, such as repeatable jobs, retention rules, and encrypted repositories, make it an ideal choice for organizations looking to streamline their backup processes. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can leverage Double Commander to create a robust backup strategy that ensures the safety and integrity of your data.

Other articles

Submit your application