Path Finder

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by: Download.com staff on August 08, 2014

Based on OS X's Finder app, Path Finder for Mac brings the same functionality as well as a ton of other handy features that are not limited to file management. There are also command line and compression utilities, a text editor, and many hooks into other products like Google, TeamViewer, and the Mail app.

Powerful main screen: Path Finder for Mac's main screen packs a lot of features, including an integrated info pane and handy shortcuts to places on the Mac and the network. There are even optional sliding panes on each side of the window that allow access to recent documents, folders, and apps.

Side-by-side view: You can view two different folders at the same time in the same window. With such a powerful option, dragging and dropping becomes a snap.

Ability to read, analyze, and edit files: In addition to the features you would expect a file explorer to have, Path Finder for Mac also comes with a text editor, a terminal utility, an archival tool, and a comparison tool, all of which work well and are fairly easy to use.

Potentially dangerous: The software deals with vital OS features and exposes you to options like hiding the Finder app and the Trashcan. If disabled by accident, it may pose a serious usability issue.

No tags support: The app still deals with Labels and has not yet adopted Mavericks' tagging system.

Path Finder for Mac targets people who are not afraid to experiment in order to streamline their workflows. This app is so full of features that a quick 5-minute look won't do it justice. The more you tinker with it, the more options you'll find, which may either delight or confuse you, depending on how much of a geek you are.

Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Path Finder for Mac 6.5.3.

From Cocoatech:

Path Finder is an award-winning file browser and management application for Mac OS X. If you've ever wished Apple's Finder just did feature X or feature Y, Path Finder may be what you've been looking for. Path Finder is a standalone application that leverages what you already know about working with your files. It takes the Finder's familiar interface and adds numerous powerful features and interface innovations to help anyone be more productive on Mac OS X.

Synchronize your files automatically to your computers and t... Houdah Software's popular file search tool. Unleash the full... Expand RAR archives on your Mac. Snow Leopard operating system. Extract, recover, and backup WhatsApp chat messages on your ... Expand over 30 formats: StuffIt, Zip, RAR, 7z, tar, open enc... Mac operating system for Intel-based Macs. Mount, read & write to NTFS-formatted drives under OS X. Recover data and photos from lost partitions and drives. Add tabs and new features to the OS X Finder. Unlock over 1200 hidden features in Mac OS X and other apps. Search, view, and manage your documents. Recover files, photos and office documents. OS X Mountain Lion is the latest release of the world's most... Create strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and lo... Recovers photo, videos and music files efficiently. All Versions:

4.2 out of 161 votes

5 star: 94 4 star: 36 3 star: 17 2 star: 4 1 star: 10 Current Version:

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Write review 1 stars

"New Version Doesn't Work on MacBook Air"

December 12, 2013   |   By brianprice6

Version: Path Finder 6.4.5

Pros

If I could get it to work I might be able to publish something positive about the product....

Cons

This had difficult installing, then would not work once installed. i checked out their tech support and there appears to be an issue with this product installing correctly on some MacBook Air machines. The developers have not been able to resolve this over the month or so they've known about it....so may not be the best time to be trying to trail this software.

Summary

Try to install - if it doesn't work uninstall and wait a few months until they get this problem resolved. No sense wasting your time on someone else's problem.....meanwhile I will look for a product that actually works on my machine.

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1 stars

"Refuses to install on my iMac running macosx 10.6.3"

August 31, 2013   |   By VersionTrackerUserOpinion

Version: Path Finder 6.3

Pros

Don't know; wouldn't install

Cons

wouldn't install

Summary

Where to begin - - - wouldn't install

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3 stars

"Does not clean up quick menu after uninstalling"

November 21, 2011   |   By NayanBheda

Version: Path Finder 5.7.8

Pros

Tried trial and found it ok

Cons

I uninstalled Pathfinder thru various uninstallers. However, whenever I right click on any folder, I get option of "Show Info"and "Reveal". On clicking any of these options, I get error message saying that associated application is missing.

How do I remove these links?
I don't want to install Pathfinder again

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1 stars

"Zero confidence"

November 09, 2011   |   By Rumboogy

Version: Path Finder 5.7.8

Pros

I have been trying out Path Finder 5.7.8 for about a week. In general it seems like a good power-user tool.

Cons

But I lost confidence in it today when I tried to copy a 150 GB folder to a USB drive. The progress bar indicted that the copy was 300 GB and when I looked in the destination folder the directory structure was getting scrambled. Files and folders where in the wrong locations.

Summary

Because Path Finder screwed up something so simple (folder copy) I have lost faith in this tool. This makes one think that it could do serious damage to your data. I will be uninstalling it.

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3 stars

"Nice tool for a windows convert, but too expensive."

January 10, 2011   |   By BtBrim611

Version: Path Finder 5.7.2

Pros

intuitive, and able work and move files much more intuitively than Finder. Pathfinder is smoother and allows me to clean trash files from thumb drives, copy and move with a single window and much more.

Cons

$40 is a ridiculous price for this 'app', even if the guy who created it lives in California.

Summary

Works very well but priced twice its value. I'd pay $20, but won't pay $40.

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4 stars

"It's allright"

January 05, 2011   |   By gurnx

Version: Path Finder 5.7.2

Pros

Seems like every OS needs an aftermarket dual-pane tabbed file manager interface. This is the 'big gun' for the Mac OS.

Cons

If you're offline you won't be able to view help videos. If you're a windows convert and were using xplorer2 this is the closest thing you'll find on the mac.

To the developer: please rename! 'path finder' is too generic. Maybe 'PathFinderMac'?

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4 stars

"It is what I use in place of finder"

November 14, 2010   |   By jodieth

Version: Path Finder 5.7

Pros

Easily finds what I am looking for.

Cons

I haven't really found any cons. I consider myself an intermediate on my mac.
There is still so much to learn.

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5 stars

"I no longer use Finder"

November 13, 2010   |   By jsovey

Version: Path Finder 5.7

Pros

Many features and new efficient ways to work. get things done easier. Tabbed windows mean no need for many finder windows opened and scattered. Very customizable. Just packed with Features

Cons

Used it for a few days now and have only seen benefits

Summary

If there is anything you wanted to do with finder but couldn't, even things you didn't know you needed, Path Finder is the way to do it. I was reserved at first to replace finder but soon realized its just like finder only + more. Well worth it. Why is no major operating system offering tabbed file browsers?

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4 stars

"I am very pleased with Pathfinder."

November 08, 2010   |   By teddchilless

Version: Path Finder 5.7

Pros

Everyone should be using it to manage your files. I move from three PC's to MacBook Pro. I had duplicate files and I was lost until I found Pathfinder. It has been so easy to use.

Cons

A few more videos would be helpful learning all the features.

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5 stars

"Really awesome program for the power user"

October 23, 2010   |   By OJB

Version: Path Finder 5.6.8

Pros

Lots of useful features, tabbed interface, many developer/technical functions, stable, easy to use.

Cons

A few features not so well implemented so that I still use the Finder as well.

Summary

I use Path Finder as my main file browsing program instead of the Finder. I like the tabbed interface which makes it easy to have lots of locations open simultaneously. I also like the many features which are useful to power users or programmers which the Finder doesn't have. It is very stable and just as fast as the Finder for most operations. Recommended for all Mac power users!

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