If you are new to the world of Windows Mobile and Pocket PC, then Total Commander is a software that you definitely want to install on your device. Even if you do not fall into the above category, I urge you to consider having this software on board. This software has been around for the longest of time and was only recently updated. While there are arguments for software that does what Total Commander does, and sometimes even better, find out why this software is one of our favorites.

Main Memory is something that you have to watch closely because the less free space you have, the more sluggish your device feels. While it would be great to install all software on the Memory Card, this is sometimes not possible due to the software’s requirement or for reasons of better performance. With Total Commander, it’s small footprint masks a powerful file explorer and manager, registry editor, FTP and LAN program, all in one. Did I tell you that it’s free?

Total Commander for the Pocket PC version is currently at v2.0 which was released in 2005. However, they have a new beta called v2.5 which was released in July 2007 and which this review was based on. There are not much changes from the stable to the beta version but it does seem that the beta version is good enough for every day use. And having a footprint of 453.90KB (according to MemMaid), this software is small enough to be installed on Main Memory so that you still have access to it even when you switch memory cards.

Note: The files above link to the download page for both the stable and beta version. Choose the right version for you (most will be using the ARM version but do check to confirm) and download to your device (if you want the CAB version) or to your computer (if you want the EXE version) and install.

File Explorer

It’s one of the more powerful file explorers out there, more so than the default one that comes with Windows Mobile. For starters, you can use the virtual 2 window mode which allows copying and pasting from one directory to another a breeze. And if you have a lot of documents, searching for a particular text couldn’t be easier with it’s built-in search function that searches within documents. Even the desktop version of Windows is not able to do that!

The built-in text editor saves in unicode.	And if you need to view a file’s properties.

For more advanced users, you can also use it’s built-in text editor that saves in unicode, which would definitely prove useful for some of you out there. And if you missed the properties dialog of Windows on a personal computer, Total Commander brings the experience to the Pocket PC version. But it doesn’t stop there, because what’s the use of just viewing its properties without changing them right? Well now you can with Total Commander.

Registry Editor

Besides using the file explorer, most users would also need to tweak their registry as well. So what better way than to integrate it with Total Commander? Maybe now you can understand why the software was named aptly so. The registry editor is pretty basic if you asked me, but it still gets the job done. There is nothing fancy here to wow you but then again, when you consider that most registry values are either changed or added, and that you do not need to do anything more, you come to realize that it is more than sufficient for most users.

LAN Access

If you have a home network that your Eten Glofiish device (or any Pocket PC for that matter) connects to, then you can share files between devices without wires. Once set up, you can download files to your desktop/laptop and then use your Pocket PC to access it and download the files. Since I started going wireless and using and Exchange Server, I was looking for a solution to transfer files between my computer and Pocket PC. Thankfully Total Commander allows me to do just that.

FTP Access

If you have an online backup server, then this would prove useful. You can easily upload and download files to such a server without having to rely on a desktop or laptop. Similar to LAN Access but for the internet, I seldom use this feature, having prefer to use a MicroSD card reader to transfer large amount of files. But then again, if you are a mobile warrior or just away from your computer, then this feature can be a lifesaver.

Conclusion

Total Commander is a free software that I have been using since my first Pocket PC almost 3 years back. The interface may not be snazzy like some similar software out there or even as feature packed. But if you are looking for something that works, and works well in the are of file management, then Total Commander is definitely for you. It’s small footprint, free and comes with (most) features that you will commonly used. Total Commander. Total satisfaction.

Tags: free software