Having a File Explorer is really essential to perform numerous actions on your Pocket PC that the default built-in File Explorer doesn’t offer. Its absurd to blame Microsoft for giving such a stupid File Explorer as they might have planned to give opportunities for third-party developers too. Even then, the default File Explorer or the one that comes with the OS is pretty much enough for basic actions such as Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, Move…. If you need core functionalities close to the Desktop PC, you need to dump that default one and choose a Third-party stuffs.

And here comes the big task of choosing which ones the best as there are again lots of File Explorers on the market. Many are free but don’t have much features as always and the rest are a priced around 15-25 dolls. If you want to know what we recommend, read on..

A few popular File Explorers on the market:

• Resco File Explorer http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/explorer/default.asp

• Virtual File Explorer http://www.antontomov.com/web/products/index.php?page=virtual_explorer

• Total Commander http://www.ghisler.com/pocketpc.htm

• dTree and many more....
  

Total commander is the best if you want something for Free and ofcourse its functions maybe limited as a freeware rather than commercial ones.

Coming to the commercial ones, both Resco File Explorer and Virtual File Explorer stays well known and we take them into evaluation here. For refference, we further use RFX for Resco and VFX for Virtual File Explorer.

Manufacturers:

            Resco File Explorer by Resco.net

            Virtual File Explorer by AntonTomov.com

Fie sizes and Memory Load:

          
            Resco takes only 903.5 kb along with Registry and FTP add-ons.

            VFP takes 1.38 MB without FTP!

Looking a little deeper, the Resco has its files split up into separate small files which might take lesser memory load instead of VFX where the entire 1.2 MB file needs to be loaded into ROM while execution.  

So on the File Size and Memory Load category, Resco wins 10 points over VFX.

Speed and Performance:

            Usually opening Windows directory takes a few seconds to load due to more number of files under it. So we take it for speed test.

            Resco opened Windows folder in 3secs including loading all file icons.

            VFX took over 4 secs and even more for loading the File icons which is done a little slowly.

            Resco takes 20 points over VXP on Speed and Performance!

Looks and Appearance:

             Resco has the default folder icons that are well known on Desktop PC or to Windows OS. This makes it a little too familiar but VFX has made it more colorful giving it a nicer look and feel. Check the attached screen shots below. (Don’t care about the Fonts as they can be changed in both)

                 Resco File Explorer                                    Virtual File Explorer icons

Ok, so from the screen shot we can give 10 points to VFX for taking some time creating colorful icons though they were only for folders.

Quick, What can we expect from these developers here???

                 They could make skinning option so we can have our custom icons. Lets see who brings it first.

                 There is a program called IconXT (free) which can skin the Default File Explorer’s icons but we have already dumped the default File Explorer.

Usage experience:

             Resco makes usage awesome with its speed and performance too. First to say that its bottom toolbar has icons which are proper in buttons and give tooltips on Tap & Hold. But VFX has pictures which are rather understandable and doesn’t give tooltips too. Too bad for VFX in this.  

See the scrrenshot below. (screenshots were taken along with OS skinned by Wisbar Advance and Vista Themes)

            Resco' Bottom Toolbar                                       And VFX' Bottom Toolbar 

 
Tree view is essential while navigating deeper. Resco’ header bar usually show the path to the current folder in the explore and clicking on it will bring down the tree view and further if you choose any folder there, it will take you back to the Explorer Window with path you selected in tree. But in VFX, we took some time to figure out that pressing on the first toolbar button will bring a tree view but still its a waste since you can only explore the folders an rename them but cant perform any further actions. If you still want, then you need to open dual window mode(a new feature in VFX) where two windows side by side are opened with tree view in left and explorer in right. But wait, is your Pocket PC screen 15” wide to have side by side windows? Most use QVGA which is just 2” width and two windows side by side? What can you expect? Figure it out yourself from the screen shot below if you really need the side by side dual windows or quad windows. More than adding functionalities, they could have added what is needed and dropped out which is not necessary.

         Dual Window mode of VFX                                                Quad Window Mode 

Other Extra features:

•  VFX has the dual and quad window modes as shown above which is not there in Resco but we feel that it is not really necessary in small displays of Pocket PC.

•  Resco has amazing Drag and drop feature which is really missing in VFX. But in VFX’ website they have mentioned it supports Drag and Drop, if so were sorry for not being able to find it while working in our Pocket PC.

•  Resco has FTP and Registry addons which can be installed if required. VFX also has a registry explorer but it is really not as powerfull as Resco. You can even find or search for Registry keys in Resco but VFX seems not to have it. VFX claims to have this feature but we couldn’t find it as it might have been a limitation in trial version we tested.

• Resco has a Today plug-in to show the Memory usage and stuff in meters look. They are completely skinnable and right now there are three skins choosable and downloadable from Resco’ own website.

• VFX claims to have a File Shredder, Folder compare, Registry Backup and so but we could not find it in trial as it ay be a limitation or we had little knowledge for not being able to find how to do it.

• Both Softwares have a Recycle bin which is really helpful in certain scenarios.

• Both Softwares have ZIP and Encryption utility which is quite handy and useful too.

Pricing:

              Total commander is completely free  with most of the required features. If you ain’t satisfied with it, consider purchasing commercial ones.

              Virtual File Explorer is only $14.95 USD and have no words on upgrade pricings.  

              Resco Explorer is priced at 24.95 and they have a discounted price of $17.47 for a limited time.

             Unfortunately Resco upgrades are free only for one year from purchase but further you may need to pay for the upgrades. You can still stick to older versions and buy the next version if it really has an impressive and most wanted feature.

In a developers point of view all I can say is Resco is doing bad in this. For example, You buy version 1 for $10 today and next year version 2 is priced at the same $10 you should get the upgrade for free. Else you could ask that why the hell I bought your product so early, I even might have helped you in finding bugs and finally for the upgraded version I need to pay again? Instead I could have waited and bought version 2 a little later right? Hope Resco makes their upgrades for Free. It is not like Windows XP and Vista where the upgrade is really worth enough!
 
So finally adding up the ratings, Resco wins with 40 points putting down VFX with just 10 points.
 
Note: The review was made with Resco Explore v5.22 and Virtual File Explorer v1.02.444  Both the softwares may upgrade their versions with improved features and functionality and we might have even be wrong in looking in some real features which the software may not provide or might have provided. So we request you to make a personal test with the softwares before purchasing either of them. Both offer a 14 day trial for you to evaluate.  

Our vote is to Resco but not to degrade AntonTomov as they have other amazing must have programs such as Pocket Hack Master,  Pocket Mechanic  

     Never Loose your Pocket PC

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