SeizeControl
- Midplayz
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Files…files…and more files…
It's actually pretty rare for me to get an opportunity to review software on Steam, so reviewing SeizeControl was a nice change of pace.
At first glance, it's a power-user file explorer, but it doesn't stop there. Alongside the usual file management features, you get the unique Rich View system and a plugin platform!
It still has some rough edges, especially as a newer piece of software, but there's a genuinely interesting idea here.
About This Software
File Management & Rich View
At its core, SeizeControl is trying to be a better alternative to the standard Windows File Explorer, and it has quite a few useful features to back that up.
The three-panel layout makes navigating folders much easier, especially if you're constantly jumping between different locations. You also get tabs, quick search, batch renaming, keyboard shortcuts and drag-and-drop support.
The batch rename feature is particularly handy if you're dealing with a mountain of files. Anyone who's ever tried to organise hundreds of files manually knows that this sort of feature can save a ridiculous amount of time.
But the feature that really makes this piece of software stand out is Rich View.
Instead of treating a folder as nothing more than a place where files happen to live, Rich View lets you turn it into more of an interactive workspace. You can add text notes, embedded links, & attachments and organise things into groups. For projects, research, collections or basically anything where you need more context than a bunch of filenames can provide, this is genuinely useful.
Personally, I think Rich View is probably the most interesting part of SeizeControl. The file explorer itself is useful, but Rich View is what gives the software its own identity.
Plugins & Customisation
And then we get to the fun stuff. The plugin system is probably the biggest reason I'd recommend SeizeControl over simply sticking with a traditional file manager. The software comes with example plugins covering things like crosshair overlays, screen zoom, screenshots, drawing, macros, window management, soundboards, voice changing, color picking and more.
That's quite a toolbox to have sitting inside one application.
Some of these are particularly useful outside of normal file management. A screen drawing tool, for example, can be handy while sharing a screen or explaining something on a map. The crosshair and zoom tools can be useful for gaming, while the soundboard offers another little utility that you might otherwise need a separate application for.
The plugin system also goes beyond the included tools. Developers and technically inclined users can create their own plugins using JavaScript, with access to a surprisingly broad collection of functions. You can then publish those plugins through the Steam Workshop.
That's where I think this has the most potential. The current plugin selection is already useful, but the real question is what the community will build for it over time.
Steam Workshop & Community Potential
Steam Workshop integration is a very smart addition. Instead of making users hunt around the internet for plugins and manually install everything, this software lets you browse, subscribe to and download community-created plugins through Steam. It's simple, familiar and could make a huge difference as the community grows.
The only problem right now is that the community is still relatively small. That's understandable for a newer application, but it also means the Workshop doesn't yet have the enormous selection you might hope for. Still, the foundation is there.
The ability for users to create their own plugins means it isn't limited to whatever features the developers decide to add. If someone comes up with a clever idea and builds it, there's a chance it can become part of the ecosystem. That's a pretty exciting concept for a power-user tool!
SeizeControl vs Explorer++
For comparison, Explorer++ is probably the first free alternative I'd look at if your main goal is simply getting a better file manager without spending money.
Explorer++ is lightweight, free and focuses primarily on improving the traditional Windows file browsing experience. If you want tabs, multiple folder management and a straightforward replacement for File Explorer, it's a very appealing option.
And that's where SeizeControl has to justify itself. If we're talking purely about basic file management, I wouldn't say SeizeControl completely destroys free alternatives. Explorer++ is already capable of handling the fundamentals without asking you to pay for another application.
But SeizeControl is playing a different game. The Rich View system gives it a more project-orientated approach to organising information, while the plugin platform adds functionality that goes far beyond simply browsing folders. That's the biggest difference.
Explorer++ is the better choice if you just want a free, straightforward file explorer. SeizeControl is more interesting if you want an expandable power-user platform that combines file management with additional utilities. And honestly, that's why I think SeizeControl is worth considering despite the existence of free alternatives.
Usability & Performance
For something that tries to do this much, SeizeControl is fairly approachable. The interface is modern and the three-panel design makes sense once you get used to it. The various tools are also fairly easy to understand individually.
That said, the sheer number of features means there's naturally more to learn compared with a basic file explorer. The file explorer itself also still has some areas that could use improvement. This is one of those situations where you can see the potential, but you can also tell the software is still developing.
The good thing is that the developers appear to be actively working on it. Continued improvements to things like resource usage, folder scanning, thumbnails and interface responsiveness are important for software that you might end up using every day.
A power-user application doesn't have much value if it turns into the thing slowing you down. So far, though, SeizeControl seems to be heading in the right direction.
Pros and Cons
Pros-
Modern interface
Unique Rich View system
Useful three-panel file explorer
Tabs and quick search
Regular development and improvements
Can replace several smaller utility apps
Excellent batch rename functionality
Strong plugin system & lots of useful plugins included
Crosshair, zoom, macro, screenshot, drawing and other utilities
Steam Workshop integration so users can create and publish their own plugins
Cons-
Still feels like a work in progress in some areas
File explorer could use further refinement
The plugin community is still relatively small
Some included utilities may not replace dedicated applications
More complicated than a basic file explorer
Conclusion
SeizeControl is much more interesting than I expected from a file manager. If you only need something simple and free, I'd still recommend Explorer++. It's difficult to argue against a capable free alternative when all you want is better file browsing.
But if you're a power user who wants file management, project organisation and a growing collection of extra utilities in one place, SeizeControl has a lot more to offer.
For me, SeizeControl is the better overall package. The plugin system and Rich View are what ultimately make it stand out. It's not perfect yet, but there's a lot of potential here and I'm genuinely curious to see what the developers and Steam Workshop community do with it!
Rating: 7/10
Imagine if this was open-source…
