Today I was reading an article in MaximumPC that told of the wonders of TAB BROWSING FOLDERS on a PC. I was in shock….once the initial concept seeded itself in my overly-exited-techie-brain I scanned the article and saw that it was listed under a Vista Headline and my hope sank. But I went to the website they suggested in there Tiny URL Fashion anyway.
Once I was there I read over the specs and found that Windows XP is also supported. 
Sweet! I like the way Vista “looks” but I really need the performance and reliability of XP.
OK, I see that I need to do some “upgrading” to windows before I can use the super-cool functions of Tabs right there in my folders.
I see I need install .NET Framework 2.0
So I head over to Microsoft and download it. At the end of the download and install (2-3 mins. over a cable connection) I get a warning that I should make sure I have the latest updates for the .NET Framework 2.0. After a little hunting on the MS site I see that there is a patch aptly named .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pac1. I download and install that too (2-3 mins on this one also.) Ok great my machine is now ready for the wonders of tabbed folders. Yeah!
I go back the URL provided by MaximumPC and download QT TabBar for Windows XP, create a new folder drop in the zip file and extract the many compressed files therein. I click on the .exe file, a window pops up and asks if I would like to Install or UN-install The QT TabBar. You know the one I click and after the very very quick install I was instructed to immediately log off my pc (not turn off) so I log out and in, causing windows to find the new TabBar application.
I opened a folder to see ab-so-lutel-ly nothing. But I right click up on around the address bar and see a Flyout menu that offers both the QT TabBar and the QT TabButtons. I add them both. (NOTE*) if you can’t add anything then choose the check next to “lock the toolbars” this will allow to to modify your menu options .
NOW open up a folder and if your familiar with Tabs, which I imagine you are if your reading this, the tabs handle very much like FireFox or IE7 tabs.
I think this is very cool for people that often work in multiple directories. Designers, coders, webmasters, Affiliate Marketers, Domainers and just about everybody who like s tabs can all use this application to increase productivity and tame the Window’s Start Bar into an orderly array of tabs in one folder window….ahhh the clarity.
Links for all you need below:
- .NET Framework 2.0
- .NET Framework 2.0 SP( choose custom and look for it in the list)
- QT TabBar (plugins skins and more)
- Time it took-15 mins depending on how techno savvy you are and your download speeds.
Happy file browsing