QuickSwitch and JumpToFolder AHK scripts

[Horst.Epp]

This 2 AHK scripts from the same Author make life much easier.
Both support many file managers including TC of course.

QuickSwitch allows to switch to file managers current folder in standard file open/save dialogs.
https://github.com/gepruts/QuickSwitch
https://www.voidtools.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9881

JumpToFolder uses Everything search to jump to search results (file or folder)
in the file manager.
It also supports Everything search in standard file open/save dialogs.
https://github.com/gepruts/JumpToFolder
https://www.voidtools.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11194&p=43580#p43579

[tuska]

QuickSwitch - Download x64, x86 - Infos
Note: Ctrl-Q ... QuickSwitch Menu

Option - Autostart:

• C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\CTRL-Q_QuickSwitch_2022-04-03_v05_x64.exe.lnk
  - OR -
• C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\CTRL-Q_QuickSwitch_2022-04-03_v05_x64.exe.lnk
  [Windows Explorer address --> shell:startup]

Tested on 4.4.2022, e.g. with various file managers including TC, 'Everything', editors, MS-Office, Adobe Acrobat, browser, etc.

• Windows 10
• Windows 11

EDIT:
- Added: Startup path C:\Users\<user>\...
- Added: Test results

[Horst.Epp]

QuickSwitch - Download x64, x86 - Infos
Note: Ctrl-Q ... QuickSwitch Menu

Option - Autostart:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\CTRL-Q_QuickSwitch_2022-04-03_v05_x64.exe.lnk

Danke, ich habe den einleitenden Post aktualisiert.

[solid]

Nice scripts, very useful. Anyway I still prefer Flashfolder for this.


In Everything pressing Ctrl+Enter switches to configured filemanager and opens the selected dir or file. Do I miss something in the JumpToFolder script?

[Horst.Epp]

Nice scripts, very useful. Anyway I still prefer Flashfolder for this.


In Everything pressing Ctrl+Enter switches to configured filemanager and opens the selected dir or file. Do I miss something in the JumpToFolder script?

Yes, there is no support for using Everything search in open/save dialogs in Flashfolder.
I use Quick Access Popup for the functions Flashfolder provides as this is out of support since a long time.

[solid]

Yes, there is no support for using Everything search in open/save dialogs in Flashfolder.
I use Quick Access Popup for the functions Flashfolder provides as this is out of support since a long time.

I like Flashfolder because it is always accessible in the open/save/browse dialog boxes, no need to click or press shortcuts to activate is. Also because it integrates TC's hotlist and source/target tabs, which are just one mouse click away in any dialog. It is abandoned as a project, but still works.

QAP is a great utility, but I find its TC's integration too cumbersome.

I was talking about the purpose of JumpToFolder script.
It invokes Everything via context menu, user selects the wanted item, the script opens the path of the item in the file manager.
Currently, I start Everything on shortcut, select the wanted item, press Ctrl+Enter, path opens in file manager. Same result, faster execution.

I see that script has advantages for users with multiple file managers since it works from the program it is called, not only the preconfigured one. But for users like me that uses only TC makes no difference.

[Horst.Epp]

I was talking about the purpose of JumpToFolder script.
It invokes Everything via context menu, user selects the wanted item, the script opens the path of the item in the file manager.
Currently, I start Everything on shortcut, select the wanted item, press Ctrl+Enter, path opens in file manager. Same result, faster execution.

No, as I said you have no Everything search in open/save dialogs in your way.
Thats the 2nd function JumpToFolder provides.

[solid]

I was talking about the purpose of JumpToFolder script.
It invokes Everything via context menu, user selects the wanted item, the script opens the path of the item in the file manager.
Currently, I start Everything on shortcut, select the wanted item, press Ctrl+Enter, path opens in file manager. Same result, faster execution.

No, as I said you have no Everything search in open/save dialogs in your way.
Thats the 2nd function JumpToFolder provides.

No, but I have Everything search in TC and FF is a bridge between any open/browse dialog and TC. Still faster than with the script.

I guess it is all matter of workflow and habit. I'm sure many people will find the script more useful.
Also it is good that there are suitable replacements for abandoned utilities that can be broken with any OS update.

[NotNull]

First of all: Thank you Horst for mentioning this on the TC forums!
When time comes, I will post more details about these utilities.


To answer some questions:

I like Flashfolder because it is always accessible in the open/save/browse dialog boxes, no need to click or press shortcuts to activate is. Also because it integrates TC's hotlist and source/target tabs, which are just one mouse click away in any dialog. It is abandoned as a project, but still works.

I am surprised FlashFolder still works. They must have done something right ...
In the XP-days these "inject DLL's in dialogs" tools were quite common, but when Vista introduced new dialogs, most of them slowly died-off (Flashfolder's last update was also 14 years ago; just after Vista was introduced)

I inspected the MSI. Next to DLL-injection, Flashfolder also installs a service. Not something I want to install on my system (doubt if it is secure by modern standards).

(FWIW: JumpToFolder uses zero resources. It is not running in the background. You activate it through the context-menu or with a keyboard shortcut/button).

But everyone is different and everyone should use what they want. Familiarity and muscle-memory are important factors in productivity.
Not trying to convince anyone to start using JumpToFolder. If it fits your workflow, it *can* be useful.

I see that script has advantages for users with multiple file managers since it works from the program it is called, not only the preconfigured one. But for users like me that uses only TC makes no difference.

Even for people that only use TC.

There are situations that a 32-bit TC is needed next to a 64-bit TC. Or two TC instances of the same bitness.
Everything can't distinguish between those.

[solid]

I am surprised FlashFolder still works. They must have done something right ...
...

I'm also surprised that still works in win10. I haven't 11 to check is it usable there too.
I've been using FF since its introduction long time ago. Never had any issues with security, cpu or memory usage. It uses minimal memory and "sleeps" all the time.
I appreciate tools that makes possible working with less effort, clicks, types, time or anything else.

As i said previously, it is good script that can be useful to many users.
Keep up the good work and please notify us of any updates.

[Rafaello]

QuickSwitch has been recently upgraded to v1.3: https://github.com/JoyHak/QuickSwitch
Image: https://github.com/JoyHak/QuickSwitch/blob/main/Images/menu.gif

Changelog v1.0 – 1.3

• Multi-tabs and dual-panes support: display all tabs from all panes from your favorite file manager(s)!
  • TotalCommander
  • Directory Opus
  • XYplorer
• New settings interface: customize your app as you want!
  • Tabs for each new settings category. Change menu appearance, add new hotkeys and more.
  • The ability to display a shortened path. You can shorten the end or beginning of the path, hide the drive letter, or change the path separators to funny symbols.
  • Vertical alignment of the input fields. Now if you choose large or monospaced font the settings items will adjust to your preference.
  • Clear font quality and readable hotkeys input fields.
• Default colors: in Menu settings leave the color fields blank to use system colors. I recommend the BigSur or CakeOS themes from Niivu.
• Log with errors (including custom ones when entering wrong values in settings): you can read .log if something doesn't work. It is located next to the script.
• AutoSwitch has been modified to no longer iterate over all paths. It activates the first path in the stack of available paths.
• The performance has been increased: menu appears faster, AutoSwitch happens faster for every file manager.
• The code been refactored closely to Autohotkey v2 syntax, facilitating further adaptation to v2.

[Horst.Epp]

Unfortunately, Version 1.3 is no longer usable in TC, and also not in XYplorer.
I reported it on GitHub.

[Fla$her]

[*] AutoSwitch has been modified to no longer iterate over all paths and now works directly with the latest file manager.

What is meant by "latest file manager"? Latest instance? That is, activation is no longer needed? Or ...?

[Rafaello]

What is meant by "latest file manager"? Latest instance? That is, activation is no longer needed? Or ...?

The first recently opened window that could be identified as a file manager

[Rafaello]

Unfortunately, Version 1.3 is no longer usable in TC, and also not in XYplorer.
I reported it on GitHub.

Does the app not work for other users in TotalCommander? Please share the experience