Freeware Tools: Elyse 3.1.1

Elyse is a file management system which solves the major problem with traditional methods of managing large numbers files on computers: paths and folders. Storing files in Elyse eliminates the need to decide precisely where to store a file, or to subsequently find where it was stored. Any logical method of grouping and arranging files can be used. In short, you the user are given the power to impose your own logic, and change your mind as often you like with just a few clicks. Files are stored within an Elyse database, which itself is a single file. Files can be added, extracted, deleted.

Elyse is a tag-based file manager that gives you the possibility to organize, sort and catalog files. It comes loaded with a bunch of interesting options and configuration settings.

After a fast setup operation that shouldn't give you any trouble, Elyse asks you to create a new database to fill it with the files and folders you want to manage.

It automatically tags files by taking into account the directory name. Worth mentioning is that files with duplicate names and content are skipped. If the app comes across any files with duplicate names but unique content, it asks you what to do next.

The main app window has a clear-cut structure and include a browsing tree for all files with and without tags, internal and external files, along with recently added items.

New tags can be seamlessly put together by specifying names and descriptions. Elyse can be asked to locate missing files, extract them from specific locations, and link tags to files.

Moreover, you can assign and manage tag groups, disable duplicate management, indicate the number of thumbnails to cache along with the recent files timeout, deactivate the creation of automatic tags from folders and of browsing nodes, limit the auto tagging to a particular folder level, and so on.

On the other hand, the tool's not that intuitive. However, once you get the hand of it, Elyse offers a unique method of managing files by creating automatic tags. You can test it for yourself, since it's free for non-commercial use.