QTTabBar has passed the period when it was only compatible with Windows XP and Vista. Which is pretty logical because at that time Windows 7 was not released. Now it works including on Windows 7 and brings a series of novelties. QTTabBar is an addon for Windows Explorer file manager in Windows operating systems. It brings a very useful feature for a good portion of users: the tabs.
Tabs, as in Web browsers, the place where we use them most, allow us to open multiple instances of the same program. Basically, instead of opening several windows, you open multiple tabs in one window. And a number of advantages are apparent.
Above all, you must know that here we are talking of an Alpha version. Like any test version, it is also affected by a number of bugs. But from what I could see how long I used it, there is nothing serious, nothing that makes the addon useless.
The installation does not raise any difficulty. At the end, the installation wizard gives you the option to restart the explorer.exe service to achieve the implementation of the function without restarting the operating system.
QTTabBar consists of two bars: the bar with tabs and the toolbar with buttons. Neither of the two will be visible after installation automatically. To make them visible in Windows Explorer, press the ALT key to temporarily display the menu, go to the View menu, Toolbars and there click on the two bars to display them.
The first thing you should in order to save space would be to join the two bars into one. For that, you have to unlock the bars (also from the View – Toolbars). Alternatively, you could drop the bar with buttons and display only the bar with tabs. All the functions of the toolbar buttons appear also in the contextual menu when you right click on a tab.
Opening a new tab is not exactly an intuitive feature. There is no function like Open New Tab. To open a new tab you have three options: Right click on a tab and choose Clone this, drag a folder on the bar tabs or press the scroll button of the mouse on a folder.
QTTabBar offers many features typical to bar tabs in browsers. These include:
* The reordering of the tabs
* The saving of groups of tabs
* Reopening closed tabs
* Locking tabs
A very interesting function that deserves mention separately is the fast access to files and the preview of the files in a folder. After installing this program, when you move your cursor over a folder, you will find a small blue arrow. Clicking this will open a menu with all the files in that folder.
In this way, you can quickly access a particular file, without actually entering the folder containing it. Moreover, using the preview function when the mouse goes over a file from the menu, it appears a preview window. This function is very useful in the case of images.
If you right click a blank on the bar with tabs, you can access the options menu of the program. And QTTabBar offers many options concerning both the actual functionality and GUI.
The options of the program allow you to configure various aspects of behavior and the tooltip display or navigation buttons, the management of groups and the minimization of the windows in Tray, near the clock. You can also change fonts and colors.
Although it has some bugs, QTTabBar is a very useful program for those who frequently use Windows Explorer. The tabs allow faster access to files and folders. On the other hand, those who are not happy with Windows Explorer, can always use a better file manager.
