Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FreeCommander VS SharpKeys

Compare FreeCommander VS SharpKeys and see what are their differences

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FreeCommander logo FreeCommander

FreeCommander is an easy-to-use alternative to the standard windows file manager. The program helps you with daily work in Windows. Here you can find all the necessary functions to manage your data stock.

SharpKeys logo SharpKeys

SharpKeys is a utility that manages a Registry key that allows Windows to remap one key to any...
  • FreeCommander Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-11
  • SharpKeys Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-02

FreeCommander features and specs

  • User Interface
    FreeCommander features a dual-pane interface that allows users to manage files in a more organized and efficient manner, providing an easy way to transfer files between directories.
  • Customization
    The software offers a high level of customization, enabling users to tailor the application to meet their specific needs, including keyboard shortcuts and layout adjustments.
  • Compatibility
    FreeCommander is compatible with various Windows versions, making it accessible to a wide range of users with different system specifications.
  • Portable Version
    A portable version of FreeCommander is available, which allows users to run the application from a USB drive without needing to install it on a computer.
  • File Management Features
    The software includes advanced file management features such as multi-rename tools, file shredding, folder synchronization, and archive handling (ZIP, RAR, CAB).
  • Cost
    FreeCommander is free to use, making it an economical choice for individuals and organizations looking for robust file management tools.

Possible disadvantages of FreeCommander

  • Learning Curve
    New users may find the wide range of features and customization options overwhelming, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Documentation
    Some users report that the documentation is not exhaustive, which can make it difficult to fully utilize all the capabilities of the software without additional research or trial and error.
  • Limited MacOS and Linux Support
    FreeCommander is primarily designed for Windows, thereby offering limited compatibility and functionality on MacOS and Linux systems.
  • Updates
    The updates and development of FreeCommander are dependent on a small team, potentially leading to slower development cycles and the occasional bug.
  • Interface Design
    The user interface, while functional, is not as modern or aesthetically pleasing as some other file management tools, which may deter some users.

SharpKeys features and specs

  • Open Source
    SharpKeys is available on GitHub, which means it is open source. This allows users to inspect the code, contribute to development, or customize it for their needs.
  • Free of Cost
    SharpKeys is entirely free to use, making it accessible to anyone without the need for a commercial license.
  • Simple User Interface
    The interface is straightforward and easy to use, which makes the process of remapping keys simple even for non-technical users.
  • Registry-Based Remapping
    SharpKeys makes changes directly to the Windows registry, ensuring that the remapped keys work across all applications without the need for additional software running in the background.
  • Minimal Resource Usage
    Because SharpKeys modifies the registry rather than running a constant background process, it uses minimal system resources.
  • Portability
    Once the registry changes are made, SharpKeys does not need to remain installed on the system, making it a lightweight, one-time-use tool.

Possible disadvantages of SharpKeys

  • Windows Only
    SharpKeys is designed to work exclusively on Windows operating systems, which limits its usability for users on macOS, Linux, or other platforms.
  • Limited to Registry
    The tool operates by modifying the Windows registry, so it cannot handle complex remapping scenarios that need real-time processing, such as conditional key mappings.
  • No Advanced Features
    SharpKeys lacks advanced features found in more sophisticated key remapping software, such as macro recording, multi-key remapping, or application-specific profiles.
  • Requires Admin Rights
    Since changes are made to the Windows registry, administrative privileges are required, which might be restrictive in some organizational environments.
  • Potential for Errors
    Incorrect registry changes could potentially lead to system instability or errors, especially for users who are not familiar with the Windows registry.
  • Reboot Required
    For registry changes to take effect, a system reboot is necessary, which can be inconvenient for users needing immediate results.

Analysis of FreeCommander

Overall verdict

  • Overall, FreeCommander is a solid choice for users looking for a robust and versatile file management solution. It is especially appealing to advanced users who need additional tools for efficient file handling. However, those who prefer a minimalist interface or only require basic file management features may find it to be more than necessary.

Why this product is good

  • FreeCommander is considered good due to its user-friendly interface and powerful file management capabilities. It offers a two-pane view for easy file management, along with a variety of tools such as file splitting, archiving, and batch renaming. Its customizability and wide range of plugins enhance its functionality, making it a favorite among users who require more than the basic file manager features offered by the operating system.

Recommended for

    FreeCommander is recommended for power users, IT professionals, and anyone who frequently handles large volumes of files and requires advanced file management tools. It is also suitable for users who appreciate software customization and seek a reliable alternative to their operating system's default file manager.

Analysis of SharpKeys

Overall verdict

  • SharpKeys is generally considered a good tool for users who need an easy and effective way to remap keys on Windows. It has a straightforward interface and does not require advanced technical skills to use, making it accessible to a wide range of users. It is also open-source and has a supportive community on GitHub, which contributes to its reliability and improvement over time.

Why this product is good

  • SharpKeys is a utility that allows users to remap keys on their Windows keyboards. It modifies the Windows Registry to achieve this, which is particularly useful for users who want to change the function of a specific key, disable a key, or swap keys to better match their personal typing preferences or overcome keyboard limitations.

Recommended for

    SharpKeys is recommended for Windows users who need to customize their keyboard layout, such as programmers, writers, or anyone who frequently uses specific key combinations. It is also suitable for users who want to disable keys that are accidentally pressed often, such as Caps Lock or Insert, as well as those who want to swap keys for ergonomic reasons or due to a damaged key on their keyboard.

FreeCommander videos

FreeCommander XE 2018 Review Free Download For Windows

SharpKeys videos

[Windows] Changing Modifier Keys Using SharpKeys | Reassigning Modifier Keys & SharpKeys Tutorial

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Map Keys with SharpKeys

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FreeCommander and SharpKeys)
File Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Automation
0 0%
100% 100
FTP Client
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare FreeCommander and SharpKeys

FreeCommander Reviews

14 Alternative File Managers To Replace Windows 10 File Explorer
It offers a dual-window interface with a handy list of directories at the top of each window for quick access. FreeCommander XE also has dedicated buttons between the two windows to make managing files between the two windows easier. And as the name suggests, this file manager is free to use.
Source: geekflare.com
The best file managers for your computer
Without being as popular as Explorer++ or offering as many functions as File Voyager, it is worth highlighting the proposal of FreeCommander like that of a very easy-to-use file manager, while always keeping within the quality standards that can be expected from these applications for professional use. In fact, it is considered by many users to be a five-star alternative to...
Source: movilforum.com
8 Best Total Commander Alternatives & Competitors in 2022 (Free & Paid)
Freecommander is an easy-to-use alternative to the standard windows file manager. The program helps you with daily work in windows.
Five Best Alternative File Managers
FreeCommander boasts many of the same features as the rest, but it also stands out because it's the only app we're featuring that's entirely free. That means you'll still see features like dual-paned file browsing, seamless ZIP and other archive support, tabbed interface, built-in file viewer and FTP, and all the rest of the goods that make these apps stand out above and...
Source: lifehacker.com

SharpKeys Reviews

We have no reviews of SharpKeys yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SharpKeys seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 53 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FreeCommander mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FreeCommander yet. Tracking of FreeCommander recommendations started around Mar 2021.

SharpKeys mentions (53)

  • I Hate (Most) Keyboard 'Fn' Keys
    You can remap the keys so that "Special: Power" key button does nothing.. Or even to the original function (on my keyboard it would mean Volume Down would be F12 instead). One Windows software to do that: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys / https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/xpffcg7m673d4f?hl=en-US On Linux, heck it's Linux, for sure it's doable. - Source: Hacker News / 22 days ago
  • Shortcut for rotating canvas by 15ยฐ left or right without a mouse
    I don't like using my mouse while drawing and I couldn't find how to do this anywhere, but luckily when I was about to give up I achieved it! So, for this you'll need a program called SharpKeys. You can download it here: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Caps Lock Behaviour Disabled in Gnome
    Sharpkeys can swap keys, the readme says as much: > Things that SharpKeys will do: > ... > Allow you to swap two keys with each other - e.g. You can swap Left Windows with Left Control and vice versa I do have a vague recollection of Sharpkeys previously saying that it couldnโ€™t, but that I tried and it worked. Long time since I last used Windows though. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Total Commander
    > Total commander isnโ€™t FOSS. I'm aware of that. There are lots of FOSS equivalents, though. Including, I believe, on Windows. Wikipedia lists 23 of which I think -- haven't checked -- the majority are FOSS. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_manager#Orthodox_file_managers > Ironically windows 11 canโ€™t do vertical taskbars. True. Easily fixed with Explorer Patcher, though. Which, ironically, is FOSS. > And... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Learn AutoHotKey by stealing my scripts
    Remapping Capslock to Control: Windows: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys Ubuntu Linux (don't know about other Linuxes): /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/pc
        key  { [ Caps_Lock  ] };
    . - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing FreeCommander and SharpKeys, you can also consider the following products

Total Commander - A Shareware file manager for Windowsยฎ 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, and Windowsยฎ 3.1.

Karabiner - Karabiner, previously called KeyRemap4MacBook, is a very powerful keyboard remapper for Mac OS X.

Double Commander - Double Commander is a cross-platform open source file manager with two panels side by side.

Key Manager - ATNSOFT Key Manager, Key Remapper, Text Paster

XYplorer - File Manager for Windows

Microsoft keyboard layout creator - Edit the windows keyboard layout.