Plugin

A plugin is a dynamically linked library that can be added to Total Commander in order to extend or improve Total Commander's functionality. Thus a plugin can be considered an addon. Most plugins are third party software, though Christian Ghisler did create several plugins himself.

Plugin types

Total Commander currently supports four plugin types:

• Packer plugins (.wcx files) - Packer plugins are used to pack/unpack/modify specific file types, usually archive formats.
• File system plugins (.wfx files) - File system plugins are used via the Network Neighborhood. They usually access some remote system or a certain part of your PC which cannot be accessed via drive letters.
• Lister plugins (.wlx files) - Lister plugins display special file types in the built-in lister as well as in the quick view panel (Ctrl+Q).
• Content plugins (.wdx files) - Content plugins have several purposes: searching for specific file properties and contents, displaying of these properties in file lists, and using them in the multi-rename tool to add them to the file name.

Where to find plugins?

The most convenient way to find them is by using the following sites:

• totalcmd.net you should visit first if you want to stay up-to-date with plugins and Tools.
• totalcmd.pl is the Polish site containing a large number of plugins, Tools, documentation and so on. At first it was in Polish only, but now it has English version too.
• Club Total unfortunately is not available now. However, there is still hope that it will rise again some day.
• Official addon site is the best choice if you prefer final "tested by author" versions. This is the place to go if you don't like any experiments.
• Unreleased plug-ins: A wiki page full of unreleased plug-ins which are currently neither listed on totalcmd.net nor released officially on ghisler.com.

Plugin installation

Since Total Commander version 6.5 an integrated installer for plugins is available. Whenever you want to install a plugin now, all to do is: Open the downloaded archive with a doubleclick. The setup will start automatically. An installation "by hand" is still possible. The programs in the next chapter can be very usefull to manage all your plugins.

Plugin management

These tools were created to make the plugin installation and management easier:

• TC Plugins Manager
• Vic Plugin Manager

You might need a tool for managing your plugins when:

• You want to install plugins by double-clicking plugin files
• You want to install zipped plugins pack (archive that contains several plugins)
• You want to install a bunch of plugins located in a folder and all its subfolders
• You want to install two different plugins for the same extension
• You want to temporary disable some plugins
• You want to change the loading order of Packer plugins

Information for developers

See Developer's corner.

---

Back to Main Page