When comparing Explorer++ vs Avanquest PowerDesk, the Slant community recommends Explorer++ for most people. In the question“What are the best file managers for Windows?” Explorer++ is ranked 18th while Avanquest PowerDesk is ranked 21st.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Free and open source
Pro Optimized with fast loading speed
Compare to other file explorer I have used its have really fast loading speed.
Pro Tab system
Pro Active development
Active community development as of 2021.
Pro In split verticle view, it has a tree & details view for each side
Font size is perfect and allows at least 65 lines on a 1920 X 1200 monitor.
Pro In split verticle view, it has a tree & details view for each side
Font size is perfect and allows at least 65 lines on a 1920 X 1200 monitor.
Pro Has a powerful file sync capability
Powerful file sync capability for keeping directory trees on two different drives in sync. Great when working with external drives or for backing up a laptop or smartphone to your PC Hard drive. Two vertical panes make it easy to copy files from one place to another using drag & drop
Cons
Con Useless for searching
Often completely misses loads of files that you know are there.
Con Limited search functionality
No file content search.
Con Folder view settings does not save individually
want to just set download folder item to group by date? nope! every folder applies this view settings.
Con Abandoned
Seemingly abandoned. Hasn't been updated in a few years.
Con Crashes semi frequently
Crashes quite a bit. Sometimes random sometimes during network folder access. Loses current state and reverts to the state of the last graceful exit.
Con Lacking support / updates in recent years
Lacking signs of active support in recent years, which is too bad because it was the best Windows File manager out there back in the Windows 7 era. Avanquest had really blown it. But if you have unused licenses, it is still usable.
Con Slow & bug-ridden
This program used to be an outstanding file manager for the Windows platform (Mike Kronenberg's "WizManager"). Several acquisitions later, it's slow, bug-ridden & has had almost no developer input for many years. Don't waste your money on this one!
Con Another acquisition, no redemption in sight
PowerDesk 9 has this really neat annoyance that causes it to go back to its (current?) mothership and request that you re-enter the serial number so that you can continue using the program. It's hard to determine what causes this program to do this, but it does happen. If the serial number re-entry doesn't work, and oftentimes it doesn't, Tech Support recommends that you uninstall the program, then go to the Tech support website to get the "latest" edition that supposed to reinstall with the original serial number, but it doesn't work. This was once a great program but now VCOM owns them and no sign of updates, corrections, bug fixes, even low level customer notices.