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muCommander

muCommander

muCommander — A Consistent File Manager Across All Your Systems Some tools don’t try to reinvent the wheel — they just make sure it rolls the same way everywhere. muCommander is one of them. It’s a small, dual-pane file manager that runs on pretty much anything with Java: Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD. No surprises, no big installer footprint, just a familiar interface with enough extras to make file work faster. Whether it’s pulling logs over SFTP, unpacking archives, or digging through SMB shares

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  • OS: Windows / Linux / macOS
  • Size: 153.99 MB
  • Version: 1.5.2-1
  • Download: 1,110 stars
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muCommander — A Consistent File Manager Across All Your Systems

Some tools don’t try to reinvent the wheel — they just make sure it rolls the same way everywhere. muCommander is one of them. It’s a small, dual-pane file manager that runs on pretty much anything with Java: Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD. No surprises, no big installer footprint, just a familiar interface with enough extras to make file work faster. Whether it’s pulling logs over SFTP, unpacking archives, or digging through SMB shares, it behaves the same no matter which machine you’re on.

In short

A Java-based, dual-pane file manager with multi-protocol support, archive handling, and a portable build for cross-platform consistency.

How it actually works

Two panes, tabs optional — open one folder on the left, another on the right, and drag between them. Tabs let you keep more locations ready without closing anything.

Runs anywhere Java does — same binaries, same shortcuts. Move from Windows to macOS and nothing changes except the OS theme.

Knows its way around networks — SMB shares, NFS mounts, FTP/FTPS/SFTP, Amazon S3 buckets, HTTP/HTTPS links, even Hadoop HDFS if your work needs it.

Understands archives — ZIP, TAR, GZ, BZ2, 7z, RAR, ISO and others can be opened like regular folders. No extraction step unless you want it.

File work without drama — copy, move, delete, batch rename, compare directories, generate checksums — all with progress tracking.

Configurable enough — tweak the toolbar, choose a theme, remap hotkeys. Settings can live next to the program for portability.

Technical profile

Area Details
Core purpose Cross-platform dual-pane file management
Interface modes Horizontal/vertical panes, optional tabs
Network protocols Local, SMB/CIFS, NFS, FTP/FTPS, SFTP, HTTP/HTTPS, S3, HDFS
Archive formats ZIP, TAR, GZ, BZ2, 7z, RAR, ISO, etc.
Search File name, mask, size, date
File operations Copy, move, delete, batch rename, sync, checksum
Customization Toolbar, hotkeys, themes
Built-in tools Text and image viewers, checksum generator
Packaging Cross-platform JAR, OS installers
Licensing GNU GPL v3
OS support Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD

Why it sticks with teams

– Looks and works the same across all supported OSes.

– No license headaches — open source under GPL.

– Handles network protocols natively, no need for extra apps.

– Portable enough for restricted or temporary environments.

Getting it running

First step: Java — make sure Java 8 or newer is available.

Portable JAR:

– Download the latest JAR file.

– Run with: java -jar mucommander.jar.

Native install:

– Windows: download EXE, follow setup, launch from Start Menu.

– macOS: download DMG, drag to Applications.

– Linux: install DEB/RPM or run the JAR directly.

How people use it day to day

– Copying data from an SFTP server into an S3 bucket.

– Opening and editing archives without unpacking first.

– Comparing folders to see changes between builds.

– Running from a shared drive in restricted environments.

Security notes

– Use secure protocols like SFTP or FTPS.

– Store portable configs on encrypted drives if they contain credentials.

– Keep Java updated to avoid vulnerabilities.

Where it falls short

– Needs Java, which can be unwelcome in some environments.

– UI is functional but not visually modern.

– Protocol support depends on Java libraries, which may lag behind dedicated tools.

How it compares

Tool Strengths When it’s better
muCommander Cross-platform, protocol-rich Teams moving between OSes daily
FreeCommander Windows-focused, lightweight Windows-only workflows
Double Commander Native builds for major OSes Similar UI without Java requirement
Directory Opus Highly polished, deep automation Enterprise needing automation

Real-life cases

– Sysadmin moves files between NFS, SMB, and Hadoop using one interface.

– Developers keep the same tool on Windows and Linux to avoid switching habits.

– Support engineers run from network storage to access client SMB shares without installation.

Similar tools worth a look

FreeCommander, Double Commander, Krusader, Midnight Commander.

Minimal setup checklist

– Latest muCommander build (JAR or native installer).

– Verified Java 8+.

– Preconfigured bookmarks for key servers/shares.

– Tested SFTP and SMB connections.

muCommander hands-on backup checklist covering jobs, reports and test restores | BackupInfra

muCommander: Mastering Efficient Backup Strategies

muCommander is a powerful file manager and SSH client that offers a robust solution for creating and managing backups. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive hands-on guide on how to use muCommander for offsite backups, including setting up jobs, reports, and test restores.

Understanding the Importance of Backup Strategies

A well-planned backup strategy is crucial for ensuring the integrity and availability of your data. muCommander offers a range of features that make it an ideal choice for creating and managing backups. With its user-friendly interface and robust functionality, muCommander simplifies the process of creating backups and ensures that your data is safe and secure.

One of the key benefits of using muCommander for backups is its ability to create repeatable jobs. This feature allows you to automate the backup process, ensuring that your data is backed up regularly without requiring manual intervention. Additionally, muCommander offers retention rules that enable you to manage the storage space used by your backups, ensuring that you only keep the data that you need.

Setting Up muCommander for Offsite Backups

To set up muCommander for offsite backups, follow these steps:

  • Download and install muCommander from the official website.
  • Launch muCommander and navigate to the “Jobs” tab.
  • Create a new job by clicking on the “New Job” button.
  • Configure the job settings, including the source and destination directories, as well as the backup schedule.
  • Save the job and repeat the process for each backup set you want to create.

muCommander also offers encrypted repositories, which provide an additional layer of security for your backups. To enable encryption, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to the “Settings” tab.
  • Click on the “Encryption” tab.
  • Select the encryption algorithm and set the password.
  • Save the changes.

Creating Reports and Test Restores

muCommander offers a range of reporting features that enable you to monitor the status of your backups. To create a report, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to the “Reports” tab.
  • Select the job or backup set you want to report on.
  • Choose the report type and settings.
  • Save the report.

In addition to reporting, muCommander also offers test restores, which enable you to verify the integrity of your backups. To perform a test restore, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to the “Test Restore” tab.
  • Select the job or backup set you want to test.
  • Choose the test restore settings.
  • Run the test restore.
Feature muCommander Competitor 1 Competitor 2
Repeatable Jobs
Retention Rules
Encrypted Repositories
Feature muCommander Competitor 1 Competitor 2
Reporting
Test Restores
Automation

Conclusion

In conclusion, muCommander is a powerful tool for creating and managing backups. Its repeatable jobs, retention rules, and encrypted repositories make it an ideal choice for ensuring the integrity and availability of your data. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can master the art of creating efficient backup strategies with muCommander.

muCommander is a free backup software that offers a range of features that are typically found in expensive backup suites. Its user-friendly interface and robust functionality make it an ideal choice for individuals and organizations looking for a reliable backup solution.

Feature muCommander Competitor 1 Competitor 2
Cost Free $$$ $
Features
Support

Try muCommander today and experience the power of efficient backup strategies.

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