This section attempts to explain some more advanced features of Macintosh Explorer. As a normal user, these features may or may not be used.
Although Macintosh Explorer provides its own routines for copying files and folders there are many circumstances where the Finder will be able to copy your files and folders more efficiently and quickly. This may include copying to remote volumes or network devices. Also, Macintosh Explorer will not allow you to do anything else while files are being copied. This provides faster copying in some circumstances but if you want to continue navigating your hard drive, the Finder can copy files asynchronously.
Macintosh Explorer can ask the Finder to copy files by selecting this option in the 'Application' tab in the Preferences dialog. For normal use, Macintosh Explorer's copying methods will work just fine.
If files can not be launched in Macintosh Explorer, the Finder may have an easier time finding an application to open your file. This was more relevant with older versions of Macintosh Explorer, however it may still apply to current versions.
Macintosh Explorer can ask the Finder to launch files by selecting this option under the 'Application' tab in the Preferences dialog.
There are many invisible files lurking around your hard drives that you may or may not be aware of. In most cases, these files are used by the operating system to help retain settings such as custom folder icons, folder structures and other information. Most likely you will not have to worry about these invisible files and they should be left alone.
However, if you feel the need to have to view or modify invisible files, Macintosh Explorer can provide access to them. Select 'Show invisible files' from the 'Application' tab in the Preferences to have Macintosh Explorer display all Invisible files. You can also enable/disable the showing of Invisible files from the 'View' menu. Using the View menu will only toggle the setting for the front most Explorer window.
You may have to reload the folder list to have visible files show or hide after modifying this setting. You can reload certain folders by collapsing then expanding them.