FreeCommander - 

FreeCommander XE on Windows x64


Comments on FreeCommander XE 32-bit version.


Like all 32-bit programs on Windows x64, FreeCommander is subject to the following restrictions:

  • 32-bit programs are not able to display the control panel.
  • 32-bit programs show different contents for the folder "%windir%\system32" and its subfolders.
    Notes:
    • %windir% is a system variable that points to the Windows install folder - often: c:\Windows
    • 32-bit programs are redirected from "%windir%\system32" to "%windir%\SysWOW64" automatically.
      For more detailed information see: Microsoft: File system redirector

Solutions

From Windows Vista x64 on, "Sysnative" is a hidden alias for the genuine "System32" folder.

So to access the genuine "%windir%\system32" folder, "%windir%\sysnative" can be used.

Under the menu item "Favorites → Favorites edit..." a new favorite can be added, with "%windir%\sysnative" in the input field "active panel".


Another possibility is a symbolic link. Automatic redirection of folders is not active for 32-bit programs if the program accesses the folder via a symbolic link. So it is sufficient to define a symbolic link for the folder "%windir%\system32" to access the genuine "%windir%\system32" folder. 

Example:

  • Navigate to the folder "c:\windows" in FreeCommander
  • Activate the menu item "Tools → DOS box..." while pressing and holding the shift key at the same time
  • Confirm "User Account Control"
  • A DOS box is opened with the folder "c:\windows\system32"
  • Create the symbolic link: mklink /J "symlink_System32" "c:\windows\system32"
  • It is now possible to navigate to the genuine "c:\windows\system32" folder via the symbolic link "symlink_System32"

Warning!

Symbolic links should be used only by experienced users.