Remote Explorer
Remote Explorer is a file manager for a client PC. It opens in its own window on the server and shows the client's folders as if you were sitting at that machine. From there you can:
- browse folders and search the folder you are in
- download files and folders from the client to the server
- send files from the server to the client
- delete files and folders on the client
It does exactly these four things. Renaming, moving, copying and compressing are not part of it.
Requirements
- The client must be connected and reachable.
- The client must run version 5.1.2 or later. Older clients do not offer Remote Explorer.
- The cashier needs the File transfer permission. Deleting also needs Delete Files on Client. See Permissions.
Opening Remote Explorer
Remote Explorer works on one computer at a time. It can be opened from three places on the Computers page:
| Where | How |
|---|---|
| Command bar | Select a single computer. Click Remote Explorer in the command bar under the filter toolbar. |
| Computer menu | Open the computer's menu on its card and choose Remote Explorer. The entry is greyed out while the computer cannot be reached. |
| Detail panel | Open the computer's detail panel. Remote Explorer sits in the Monitoring section. |
The command bar and its buttons can be shown or hidden in View Settings.
A separate window opens, titled Remote Explorer followed by the computer's name. Each computer gets its own window. Opening Remote Explorer again for the same computer brings its existing window to the front.
The Window
Navigation bar
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Back arrow | Returns to the previous folder you visited. |
| Up arrow | Goes to the parent folder. It stops at the drive or root. |
| Path bar | Shows the current path as clickable parts. Double-click the bar or use the pencil button to type a path. Press Enter to go there. Esc cancels. |
| Search this folder | Filters the current folder by name. It does not search subfolders. |
| Refresh button | Reads the current folder again. |
Quick access
The Quick access list on the side shows the client's starting points: every drive on a Windows client (or / on macOS and Linux), the user's home folder, the Downloads folder and the Desktop.
File list
The list has Name, Size and Modified columns.
- A single click only highlights a row. It does not tick it.
- Tick the box on a row to add it to the selection. The box in the header ticks or clears everything shown.
- Double-click a folder to open it.
- The bottom bar shows how many items are selected and their total size.
Row menu
Open the menu on a row to act on that item directly:
| Item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Open | Opens the folder. Shown for folders only. |
| Download to This PC | Downloads this item to the server. |
| Send to Client | Sends files from the server into the current folder. |
| Delete | Deletes the item from the client. Shown only with the delete permission. |
| Copy path | Copies the full path on the client to the clipboard. |
| Select all / Clear selection | Ticks or clears every row shown. |
| Refresh | Reads the folder again. |
Downloading from the Client
- Tick the files or folders you want.
- Click Download to This PC. The button shows Measuring while the client counts what the selection contains.
- Read the confirmation. It says how many files and how much data will come. For a folder it says that everything inside comes too. It also shows where the files will be saved.
- Click Download to This PC in the confirmation.
Files land in the Remote Explorer Downloads folder. The folder structure of a downloaded folder is kept. If no download folder can be read, HandyCafe asks where to save with Choose where to save.
While the download runs, the progress area shows files done, bytes done, speed and time left. Stop ends the transfer at once. Only one download runs at a time. Starting a second one shows A download is already running. Stop it first.
Each file is written to a temporary file first and moved into place only when it arrives complete. An existing file with the same name is not touched until then.
A single scan counts at most 20,000 files. When a folder holds more, the confirmation warns that only the first files listed will be downloaded.
Sending Files to the Client
- Browse to the folder on the client where the files should go.
- Click Send to Client.
- Pick one or more files on the server.
The message {count} file(s) are on their way. confirms the start. The progress area shows size, speed and time left. Stop cancels the transfer. The folder refreshes when the transfer finishes.
Deleting on the Client
- Tick the items to delete.
- Click Delete.
- Confirm. The confirmation lists the names and warns that they do not go to the recycle bin.
Deletion is permanent. Folders are deleted with everything inside. Drive roots and the Quick access locations cannot be deleted. The result shows how many items were deleted and how many failed.
Where Downloads Are Saved
Open Settings, then Folder Locations. The Remote Explorer Downloads block shows the current folder.
By default it is a HandyCafe folder inside the Downloads folder of the user running HandyCafe Server. Use Change... to pick another folder and Reset to default to go back. Changing the folder does not move what is already downloaded. See Folder Locations.
Permissions
Both permissions are in the Computer Management group of a role.
| Permission | Allows |
|---|---|
| File transfer | Opening Remote Explorer, browsing, downloading and sending files. |
| Delete Files on Client | Deleting files and folders. Without it the Delete button and menu item are hidden. |
Delete Files on Client is never granted automatically. It has to be switched on for a role explicitly. Roles are set in Cashier Roles & Permissions.
Troubleshooting
Remote Explorer is missing or greyed out. The computer is offline or its client is older than 5.1.2. A cashier without File transfer does not see the entry at all.
"This station's client is too old for Remote Explorer." Update the client on that computer.
"The station's client is not allowed to read this folder." On a macOS client, grant the client access under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders (or Full Disk Access).
"The station never started sending. Check that it is still online." The client did not start the transfer in time. Check that the computer is still connected and try again.
"There is not enough free space on the server to receive this file." Free up space on the drive that holds the Remote Explorer Downloads folder. Another folder can also be chosen in Folder Locations.
"The file changed size on the station. Refresh the folder and try again." The file was being written on the client while it was downloaded. Refresh and download it again.
"A drive root cannot be deleted." Drive roots and Quick access locations are protected. Delete the items inside them instead.