Xplorer2 Ultimate

What's new in this version:

EVERYTHING FAST SEARCH:
- Most xplorer² search functions will utilize Everything search index, if installed and running. I didn't see the point of such an integration until I saw the terse user interface of said Everything. For anything but trivial name searches you will appreciate xplorer² search properties (dates, sizes etc) that are translated for you into Everything query language, so you don't have to be a hacker to do an advanced search. Hence you get very fast searches without the effort!
- The quicksearch box (addressbar) also uses Everything index, if searching for filenames. There you will see the most dramatic speed gain. It is also possible to use an Everything query string (if you are hard core) in a scrap window's addressbar if you prepend it by ES: e.g.
- ES:"E:work" name:<*.txt !*new*>
- If you don't type a path (root) to search from the entire index is searched (be prepared to press ESC key to abort!)
- This isn't very user friendly but you have search results ready for further processing in a scrap window
- NOTE: this raw ES: mode is additive; results are added to any previous search results in the pane. If you want to start fresh, open a new scrap container or clear the old results (FILE > CLEAR menu).

Obviously you need Everything "beta" version (1.5a) installed and running, but many people have it already. Some small print:
- ES integration is an [U] ultimate feature (not for professional edition)
- All properties searched must be in the ES index. Usually name/size/date are ok, but for searching in file contents you must add contents in the index using Everything options. Or just forget contents and rely on xplorer² other search methods e.g. WDS index.
- You can use boolean notions (and/or/not) as in regular xplorer² searches, only note that "verbatim" mode is a bit flakey. Wildcards (*?) are good for filenames but for other text properties (comments etc) use regular expressiona -- if you need wildcard matching.
- If you are searching for names only, Everything results are final and conclusive. If you search for other (indexed) file attributes, you get the chance of repeating the search in "slow motion" clicking on ROBUST SEARCH item in the results pane (as per windows desktop search).
- ES must be running, perhaps hidden in the taskbar (task notification area)
- If you don't want xplorer² to use Everything, tick the Advanced Option "Disable searching with Everything" (MGAO3_NOEVSER)
- As everything doesn't index network folders (?) it is only used for local files and folders.
- A grand thanks goes out to forum regular Kilmatead who is black belt in Everything (search), who helped with the obscure search syntax.
- [P] Better functioning mini-search popup window. When you have the filter box set to search mode, you can search for names live (as you type). As you modify the search keyword the results update automatically. It just works really (with or without Everything search)! To open the full search window you must press ENTER key. The box supports wildcards and special keywords like document classes ({pictures} etc as found in NAMED box in search dialog) and also saved filter names (under PREDEFINED drop-down box).
- [P] Smart ALL PROPERTIES auto-filter (when you have the filter box in FILTER mode) will automatically search what you type without pressing ENTER key, as long as the files have fast properties shown -- or if the properties were already retrieved earlier. So you can see live results not just for filenames but for all the file details in view! Use the quickfilter drop-down menu to turn All properties filtering on/off. Note quick SEARCH mode is disabled unless you untick All Properties menu option (it's just for names).
- [P] ACTIONS > NEW... menu command lets you create templated file and folder names, using environmental variables e.g. %USERNAME% as well as $-tokens like $D for today's date. This way you create e.g. a log file with today's date already in the filename. You supply the variable name template and you see the preview of the name that will be created.
- For (empty) text files you also get to pick the file type using the drop-list for this purpose. Instead of plain files you can save UTF8 and UNICODE files. The created file is empty but contains the BOM that identifies it as special. Most text editors deal with such "super" text files automatically.

You provide the file extension as part of the template (LOG, TXT or whatever). Note that most of the $-tokens used e.g. in mass renaming are available but don't make sense. The most useful ones are available from SPECIAL TOKENS drop-down box. For dates, $D (capital) includes the current time, whereas $d is the short date only. If you want more control on date formatting use the date modified token like:
- ${Modified:yyyy-MMM-ddd}.LOG
- Would include months and days by name.

This function was inspired by New+ powertoy, which adds generic files (not just text stuff, see:
- (usually features go the opposite direction FROM xplorer² to M$ :)
- Advanced setting "Make all new text files UTF-8" (MGAO3_UTF8NEWFILE) adds the UTF-8 identifier to all files created with F7 key (ACTIONS > NEW FILE menu). If you have the (older) advanced option GAOPT_SAVEUNICODETXT turned on too, then you get a full unicode file created. These 2 settings provide the default for the above NEW+ dialog too.
- A few options were moved from advanced (external) into regular, available from TOOLS > OPTIONS menu, e.g. "Filter jump" that controls when focus moves automatically to the quick filter/search box, control of caption error messages and a few others. People that have problems with native preview tab should tick "External native preview" option (also made internal).
- Advanced (external) options dialog has better search for settings. When you click on FIND NEXT it will automatically flick property pages (global/layout) to show all properties matching your keyword(s). At first it tries to locate ALL keywords you type, and if this doesn't work it returns options that match ANY one of the keywords. In general you should be concise with your search keywords for best results.
- Sadly the search feature has some instability (crashes!) because of the very old property control used :(
- If you turn on "Alternative auto-refresh mechanism" advanced option (GIOPT_ALTAREFRESH), it will also improve the folder tree change sensor. Nowadays windows 10/11 bail out and send summary notifications of changes when you add/delete too many files and folders (10+). With this option ticked xplorer² will update the ENTIRE tree in desperation. It is quite inefficient especially if you have many tree nodes open, but hardly noticeable on modern hardware.
- Folder tabs paint better in over-crowded situations (too many of them), losing the ... dots in favor of whatever part of the name can be salvaged. Use the tooltip to see the entire path name.
- Hidden command ID_ALTTAB (=33556) switches among the current and last used tab in an ALT+TAB kind of fashion. If you like this feature use CUSTOMIZE > KEYBOARD menu and assign a key to this command, found by number (33556) in Miscellaneous category.
- Many people dislike the [+] button on the tab strip that adds new tabs. Use "Disable [+] button" advanced option (DPF_NOPLUSTAB) to get rid of it! You can add tabs from FILE menu or CTRL+INS keys.
- [P] CIDA files now save the scrap window view state (details, groups, sort direction etc) alongside the contained files and folders. When you reopen the CIDA it will be presented as originally saved, regardless of the default scrap container view style. To deactivate this feature use the advanced option CLVOPT_CIDANOSTATE.
- Whenever possible the progress indicator window will show you the estimated time left for the operation, if you PAUSE it with the little clock-like button. This works for example for TOOLS > DUPLICATES menu command.
- Reminder: for mass rename counters ($01 token), you can choose a bigger step for the series of numbers generated, e.g. $1:3 generates the sequence 1, 4, 7... (+3)
- Advanced setting "Slow start sentinel" controls how many seconds will xplorer² wait until it declares itself royally stuck and offers to open a simpler 1-pane window (which should open quickly). The default value is 20 seconds; if you don't want this warning at all (e.g. your network is naturally slow) set this option to 0 to disable the watchdog.

[U] Programmable function NUMF to format numeric properties in a "printf" fashion, e.g. to see file size in hexadecimal define a programmable column like:
- NUMF("%08X", ${Size})
- Most file properties are plain numbers (integers) but there are a few floating point as well (e.g. System.GPS.LatitudeDecimal) that can be formatted with %g. Non-numeric specifiers like %s etc are not supported. For length (MP3 duration) property, divide by 10000000 for seconds (another use for %g).
- Remember the similar DATETIME function can format for custom dates using dddMMM etc tokens. To format strings just use the + operator e.g. 'hello ' + ${name}
- [U] one extra programmable column is available in CUSTOMIZE menu (total 5). If you want to edit one of these definitions (other than the first one "programmable" which is available from the list header context menu), the best idea is to copy the text and DELETE the old one (using ORGANIZE menu), and then use CUSTOMIZE > PROGRAMMABLE > ADD NEW menu command, otherwise you are condemned to the cramped editor of ORGANIZE command that won't even tell you about syntax errors.
- [U] xplorer² has stopped converting all programmable columns to lowercase, so you will see properties as they exist with capital letters and what have you.
- [P] macro commands are also case sensitive (not converted to lowercase) so you can use a command like SETTEXT "Text in CAPITALS" and insert the text in an edit box as you have typed it.
- A few bugfixes (e.g. removed folder tree slow horizontall scrolling animation)