AB Commander is a file manager for Windows that displays two folders in separate panels. It lets you organize files while keeping the source and destination visible, with built-in tools for comparing folders, updating a second copy, searching text and processing images.
Each panel navigates independently through local storage, removable drives and network folders. Tabs keep additional locations available, while favourites, folder history and the drive bar provide routes back to frequently used places. You can copy or move a selection through menu commands, toolbar buttons, keyboard shortcuts or drag and drop. Windows context menus remain available for commands supplied by other applications.
Filename Masks
AB Commander's Rename command applies a naming mask to selected files. The source mask identifies which selected names to change, and the destination mask defines their replacement. An automatic counter can supply consecutive numbers; several number placeholders add leading zeros, allowing names such as photo001 and photo002.
Panel filters serve a different purpose: include and exclude masks control which names appear in the folder view. Removing the filter restores the complete listing. This lets you concentrate on a particular file type before selecting items for an operation.
Folder Sync
Folder comparison selects items in the panels according to the comparison criteria you choose, with an option to include subfolders. The internal synchronizer then works in one direction: the active panel supplies the source, and the opposite panel receives its files.
You control whether AB Commander creates missing files and subfolders, updates existing copies or restores older source versions. Deleting destination items absent from the source is a separate option. Include and exclude masks narrow the work to particular names or file types, and unchanged files are skipped.
The preview groups proposed changes into creation, update and deletion. You can remove individual items from that list before running it. Synchronization requires real file-system folders; a virtual location or the contents of a compressed folder cannot serve as a synchronization endpoint.
Quick Find
Quick Find searches plain text within selected files or folders. Its results show the matching filename and line: clicking the name locates the file in a panel, while clicking the text opens Quick Editor with the match highlighted. Results can also be exported to a text file. Quick Editor supports editing, saving and search-and-replace, including text files with no filename extension.
The image viewer provides full-screen viewing, rotation and slideshows. AB Commander's separate Resize Images tool processes JPG, PNG, BMP and TIF files in groups. You set a maximum pixel dimension, retain the aspect ratio and choose whether to replace originals or save results in the other folder. It can also rotate images according to their Exif orientation tags.
Reports, Segments
The Report command creates an HTML inventory of the active folder and its subfolders, including filenames, sizes and modification times. You can give it a title and subtitle, then open or print the result in a browser.
For large files, Split creates numbered segments at a size and destination you specify. Merge joins those segments back into the original file. Configurable external editors, viewers and comparers let selected files pass to other applications when their tools are needed.
Corporate Licensing
The fully functional trial lasts 30 days; continued use requires a paid licence. A separate corporate build operates without online licence validation. Its Administrator's Kit supports centralized licence delivery and restrictions on selected program commands.
