I think this one could give Direct Folders a run for it's money. I have used Direct Folders for a long time, as it let's you click anywhere on the "desktop" and it pops up a list of "favorite" directories and jumps you to one.

This does pretty much the same thing, but it doesn't run in memory all the time like Direct Folders (uses a dll hook to the right click menu instead), and although Direct Folders only takes 4.6MB of memory, I'll take any savings as long as the functionality is still there.

The other advantage is that you can access your favorites from the desktop, but also from any "open" or "save" dialog, by right clicking a folder or inside a folder, and pretty much anywhere were you get the standard Windows right click menu popup.

The only slightly annoying thing is that it opens the favorite folder in the "explorer" view, with the favorites and tree panel on the left, rather than in the standard view you get when you double click on a folder. I wish this was settable in options or something, but doesn't seem to be at this time.

It also isn't QUITE as quick to use, as with Direct Folders you double click the desktop and click on a favorite and off you go...

With Folder Guide (by the nature of how it works) you hover over the "Folder Guide" menu item and it slides open a list of your favorites. Then you move your cursor over and click the entry to open it. Small thing, and I certainly wouldn't want my right click menu cluttered up with all my favorites all the time, but it isn't quite as snappy to use.

All in all a nice alternative to Direct Folders though. I may run both for a day or two and see which one wins out.

jsmorley

I like direct folders too, but my only issue is that when I double click the "Up 1 Folder" icon it'll open up direct folders, which is annoying because i'm always clicking that button fast to go back in folders a lot. I emailed the DF people and they said it was a bug and would be fixed, but if it isnt then I may need to try something else. Strange that little flaws can ruin functionality for some people.

Braffe

Update:

The complaint I had that it opens folders in "explorer" view IS a settable option. Uncheck "Explore folder when opened in a stand alone window" and you can have it your way...

Beginning to look more and more like a Direct Folder killer for me...

jsmorley

Just out of curiosity, other than the ability to address more than 4GB of memory, what advantage does 64 bit Windows have to offset the numerous programs that won't run on it?

jsmorley

I used this all the time when I had XP, sadly it doesn't seem work with Windows Vista 64. It installs ok but the app never shows up on the right-click menu.

John Oaks

Hmm.. This could give FlashFolder a run for it's money too. The main thing that I like about Flashfolder is the CTRL+L key function where you can go back to the last folder you were in with another application.. For example, you saved a file in Excel and then you want to save a text file.. Also, FlashFolder gives you the ability to add current folder into it's "bookmarks."

FlashFolder runs as a service.

Thanks,

Kent

kdyer

Not able to surpass Filebox eXtender.

orkgandalf

Mikey likes it.

SnickerHaHa

FolderGuide is one of those simple utilities that is invaluable and saves so much time. I use it in both Vista and XP. You can make sub-folders stand out better if you indent them in edit.

Richardo

I guess I didn't read carefully enough... This was EXACTLY what I was looking for, except, it's supposed to move files to the folder indicated (it's been impossible to find a simple application that does that, I must have tried a dozen or so by now...), not open the folders. That's easy enough to do with any speed launch, and it doesn't need to be on a context menu.

dasinmd

@dasinmd:

Why not use the "send to" feature of Windows for what you are trying to do? In Vista, you just drop shortcuts to your favorite drives or folders in "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo" and you can just highlight one or more files or folders, right click them and "Send To".

jsmorley

@equazcion:

Or he could use TeraCopy, it adds "Copy To" and "Move To" to the right click context menu as well, along with adding some nice features for power copying.

jsmorley

@dasinmd: I've got a little registry tweak that adds two entries to the right-click menus of files and folder: "copy to..." and "move to..." Clicking either one of these brings up a mini folder chooser, so you pick a folder and the move or copy is done.

It's part of AutoPatcher, which you can get here: [www.autopatcher.com]

AutoPatcher is an alternate method of downloading and installing Windows updates, for those who don't like using the default tool. However it also includes several very useful extras and tweaks that I've come to rely on. Check it out.

equazcion

Very handy! Thank you!

mballai

I do not like Vista's Explorer and so use XYplorer instead. Does anyone know how I could change FolderGuide to open XYplorer instead of Vista's Explorer?

Richardo

I believe there is a registry hack that can add options to open a file with a certain program, but I'm sure it can be modified to do as this program does. Still, pretty useful program!

FlashCreations

wow... something else to bog down the windows context menu.. yay [rolls eyes]

atomicrabbit

Oh, I really like this. Virtually no footprint and very, very easy to use. Addresses one of the most-frustrating aspects of my daily work more efficiently than anything else I've tried...

polyboy

I thought Microsoft shut down AutoPatcher, maybe 1-2 years ago?? I used to use it EVERY time I did an OS install. I guess they came to an agreement... That's great, if it's available still! Good to know. Very good.

ItsMeSalena

I don't know if it's just me, but Folder Guide screws up the context menu that appears when you right click on a folder. It takes away the open command and other default stuff.

jfty.009260