Installing OneCommander V3


OneCommander Version 3 comes in a few forms, all of which will be automatically updated as the official new versions become available. 


MSI Installer version:

  • Recommended version
  • Uses standard Microsoft installer, so it can be deployed with standard MSI switches, like silent installation
  • Suitable for both single and multi-user machines


  • Portable* version: 
  • No installation
  • There is no Uninstall (because it is not "installed") but you must unregister it if you have set it as default file manager by following these steps
  • Can be run from computers where user doesn't have install "permissions"
  • Cannot run from Program Files or other system folders
  • Cannot run from Cloud folders
  • Not suitable for multi-user PCs
  • Settings are in the same folder with main application
  • * It is "portable" in a sense that everything that program needs is in one folder, it doesn't require writing Windows Registry
  • "Install" on a fast drive, preferably NVMe. If it is not on system drive make sure drive is not set to go to sleep


  • This is downloaded from https:\\onecommander.com, and comes as a zip file. Those can be installed in any folder that has a full write access (no Program Files or other system folders)
  • To "install" this version:
    • Download a zip file from onecommander.com
    • Right-click the zip file and select "Properties". At the bottom of the General tab, under "Security", check the "Unblock" box:

  • Extract the contents of the zip file in the usual manner to the folder in which you want to store the program.
  • Move the extracted folder to the place where you keep other Portable programs, so in C:\Apps\ or C:\PortablePrograms\
  • Create a shortcut for the file OneCommander.exe (it cannot automatically create entry in Start menu Programs, or desktop).  Right-click on the file OneCommander.exe and select "Create shortcut". This creates the shortcut file "OneCommander.exe - Shortcut.lnk", which you can move to Desktop or put it on the Start Men by copying it to C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu.


  • Microsoft Store version
  • Not recommended unless that is the only way to install - for example due to company policy
  • This version is installed by the Store on your computer and updated from there. 
  • It has several limitations due to being a Microsoft Store app
    • The Settings files are found at "C:\Users\<User name>\OneCommander".
    • It cannot run Explorer Preview controls, meaning that OneCommander's native Preview can't open certain file types (mainly Microsoft Office files).


  • Other versions

  • Scoop (in Extras)
  • scoop bucket add extras
  • scoop install onecommander

  • Winget
  • winget install OneCommander --source winget --silent


  • Chocolatey:
  • Not recommended - behind on updates; 3rd party maintainer; bad policy of Chocolatey
  • choco install onecommander


Upgrading from Version 2: If you want to re-use your Version 2 settings, go to Settings > Window and click on





Installing OneCommander on more than one computer

If you would like to move your settings to OneCommander on a second computer:

  1. Install OneCommander on the second computer.
  2. On a removable medium (e.g. a USB drive), make a copy of the first computer's file "OneCommanderV3.json", which you can find in the Settings folder.
  3. On the second computer, Ctrl+Close OneCommander to ensure it is not running in background. 
  4. Locate the Settings folder and rename the file "OneCommanderV3.json" to something else, for example "OneCommanderV3.json.installation".
  5. Copy/move the "OneCommanderV3.json" file from your first computer into the Settings folder on the second computer.

This will move over your basic settings. Others, such as Favorites, thumbnail database, Tabs, Tags, and similar can't be copied over because they reference folders specific to the first computer.


Updating

Uninstalling

  • See the dedicated page for Uninstalling