Total Commander Tips

note
tool
total commander
Author

Shiguang WU

Published

February 6, 2023

xbeta blog about TC

A famous introductory blog to Total Commander.

Total Commander is a powerful customizable file manager tool. It has enormous features that are totally beyond one’s imagination.

Here is a quick note while learning the operation of TC from the blog1.

Config files

.ini config file is recommended to be put under the installation directory.

For better management.

Also set UseIniInProgramDir=7, ignore register file.

xbeta’s config file for learning.

location and selection

directory hotlist

Ctrl+d x

  • hotlist = most used directorys

  • extremely fast to navigate

Tip

  • use subdirectory in hotlist

  • tidy up the hotlist periodically, e.g., make a Ctrl+d n (now) sublist for most frequent dirs recently.

change disk

Alt+F1 for left panel, Alt+F2 for right panel

common way of changing dir

  • Enter or Backspace

  • Ctrl+\ to root dir

History

Alt+↓

Sorting

Sort with multiple keys.

E.g.,

  • First click Ext

  • Then, click Date, Name while pressing Ctrl

Filtering

Show only the desired files

Show -> Custom...

Coloring

Configuration -> Color -> Define colors by file type...

  • 2days as red

  • exe as purple

  • 7days as blue

Selecting

Recommend to use the default NC mode (right single click to select)

  • Configuration -> Operation

Long right press for right menu.

multiple selection

  • Alt+'+' ('+' in the numeric keypad of keyboard): also select files with the same extension (you have already been selecting a file)

  • * (also in the numeric keypad): reverse selection

  • + and -: also select or unselect some files (pops up a window for you to choose)

  • Insert for a single selection, function like right single click and then ↓.

Branch View

Ctrl+b: show all files in current and sub- directories.

Pack / Unpack

Pack:

  • Alt+F5 / Ctrl+Alt+F5

  • To save the archive in the current dir, set CA+F5=cm_PackFiles in [Shortcuts] session of wincmd.ini file. Ctrl+Alt+F5

Unpack:

  • Alt+F9, then clear the input field (empty means current folder)

  • check Unpack each archive ... to save in a subfolder

Tip

to make it a default manner (save in a subfolder instead of current folder), set UnZIPSeperateSubdirs=-2 in [Packer] section of wincmd.ini.

Browsing packed file:

  • browse like a normal folder

  • Ctrl + → or Ctrl + ← or Ctrl + PageDown: open in right/left/current panel

rename

Shift+F6 is the default (change filename), press again to include extension

use F2 is recommended.

add F2=cm_RenameOnly in [Shortcuts] section

Addons

my config file, mod a little from xbeta

for more details and usage, please refer to the xbeta blog or F1 help manual.