2xExplorer is an easy to use yet very potent and extremely efficient alternative to the standard windows Explorer. It combines the user-friendliness of the latter with the increased efficiency and advanced features of good-old dual-pane file managers like Norton Commander. It is a package that will appeal to the power user, yet its similarity with Explorer will ensure that less experienced users will not be driven away either. The 2xExplorer v1.3.1.7 update works seamlessly with the "new" feature introduced in Windows XP (and ME before it) where ZIP archives are regarded as folders. Despite my original dislike of the feature, it really makes sense if you consider features that no purpose-built archive manager (e.g. winzip) will/can offer:

Synchronization with external folders (even based on contents)
Searching for text in archives
Viewing thumbnails directly from within archives
Using the selection engine of 2x to fine-tune item selection

Most of 2xExplorer commands are available in zipfolders just like as in regular folders, but watch out for a few exceptions described in Newest.txt ? especially if you are using windows ME where the system implementation is rather crappy (complaints to mikros~1 please!). Non-XP users will benefit from a number of new commands, too:

File/Folder shreder
Touch and sync-touch commands
A few improvements and patches

Download 2xExplorer [1.3.1.7]