--- title: 'Midnight Commander file manager | Zomro' description: 'The article will discuss the main features of the file manager for Linux - Midnight Commander.' image: 'https://dx86q6oq7ry0e.cloudfront.net/uploads/media/blog/a44@server-panel.net/2022/05/01/1653561048_1653560995928.png' --- ![opened image]() * [Zomro](https://zomro.com/) * [FAQ](https://zomro.com/blog/faq/) * Midnight Commander file manager # Midnight Commander file manager 07-06-2022 It is often necessary to perform operations on files on a _Linux_ server. For example, copy or move files, view the file structure, etc. For experienced _Linux_ users, the command line is sufficient. But you can install and use a file manager. _**Midnight Commander**_ is a two-pane file manager that allows you to perform most operations on files and directories, including copying data to a remote source - via _FTP_ , _SSH_ and others. It is similar to Norton Commander designed for MS-DOS or Far Manager and Total Commander (in principle) for Windows. Log in using the _SSH_ protocol to work with the program. To do this, you can use the _PuTTY_ program for Windows or the built-in _ssh_ program, which is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. You can install the program on almost any system using the package manager. For _deb-like_ distributions, run the command: apt-get install mc For _rpm-like_ run: yum install mc To run the program, enter on the command line: mc The main window of _Midnight Commander_ looks like this. ![Midnight Commander file manager - 1](https://dx86q6oq7ry0e.cloudfront.net/uploads/media/blog/a44@server-panel.net/2022/05/01/1653561048_1653560995928.png) _Image 1. Appearance of the program Midnight Commander_ At the top of the "window" is the _main menu_. In the center - 2 panels in which the same or different folders can be opened. Below is a _line of hints_ and a _command line_ , and at the very bottom is a _cheat sheet_ of function keys. Management is made from the keyboard by arrows and keyboard combinations. In most cases, you can also control the program using the mouse. You can switch between panels using the **TAB** button. The _main menu_ can be selected with the left mouse button or by pressing the **F9** button. To exit the _main menu_ mode, press **ESC**. The following is a description of the program functions that can be performed by pressing the function keys F1-F12. **F1** \- help **F2** \- menu of useful commands **F3** \- view file **SHIFT+F3** \- quick view file (ignoring file type) **F4** \- edit file (the first time you run it, there will be an editor choice) **SHIFT+F4** \- create a new text file (then you can save it under the desired name in the editor) **F5** \- copy **SHIFT+F5** \- copy to the same folder (make a copy of the file or folder) **F6** \- move file **SHIFT + F6** \- rename file or folder **F7** \- create directory **F8** \- delete file or directory. Removal to the Trash is not provided **F9** \- as mentioned above - open the _menu_ **F10** \- Quit _Midnight Commander_ You can perform batch operations on files. Press the **INS** button to select files. To select a group of files by mask, press the **'+'** button and enter an asterisk (**'*'**) - this will select all files. You can instead select files by any name mask or extension. For example, to select all _php_ files press **'+'** and then enter _*.php_. To deselect all files, press **'-'** and enter **'*'**. The general editor settings are found in the _F9 - Options - Configuration_ menu. You can navigate through the items with the **TAB** button or the arrows on the keyboard (or select with the mouse). Then, with the **SPACE** button, you can set or remove marks. For example, you can check if the built-in editor _mcedit_ is selected for editing files (highlighted in the image below). This is a handy multifunctional text editor that has everything you may need when creating text or code. Its description is the subject of another article. The _Options_ menu also contains other settings, as well as the _Save setup_ item, which saves the current configuration. ![Midnight Commander file manager - 2](https://dx86q6oq7ry0e.cloudfront.net/uploads/media/blog/a44@server-panel.net/2022/06/01/1654853773_1654853721082.png) _Image 2. Settings window_ The program also has some advanced combinations with which you can do certain things. **CTRL+O** \- hide/show panels. In this case, it becomes possible to fully work with the command line **CTRL+X, C** (or _File - Chmod_) - show a window for viewing and changing access rights to a folder or file. To enter such combinations, first press **CTRL + X** , then **C** **ALT+SHIFT+?** \- search for files, including the content of the files. Search window - in the image below ![Midnight Commander file manager - 3](https://dx86q6oq7ry0e.cloudfront.net/uploads/media/blog/a44@server-panel.net/2022/06/01/1655275421_1655275380012.png) _Image 3. Finding files_ To search for files, enter a dot in the _Start at_ field (search in the current directory). In the _File name_ field, enter the file name or name mask. In the _Content_ field, you can enter the search text. If the conditions are correct, click _OK_. From the search results window, you can immediately view or edit the file. The editor window immediately moves to the found fragment. The program menu has combination tips for most menu items. In this case, the capital letter _M_ means the **ALT** button, capital _C_ \- **CTRL**. For example, if you open the _Left_(or _Right_) menu, you can see that you can view information about the file selected in another panel by typing **CTRL + X, i**. This is denoted as _C-x i_. Using the _Left_ and _Right_ menus, you can also open a remote file storage via _FTP_ or _SSH_(_Shell link_), perform file operations, and copy to/from a remote source. Not all the features of the file manager are described here. The program has official documentation, which can be found following by [link](https://midnight-commander.org/wiki/doc). But, unfortunately, it is not complete. More information can be found online from various sources. Similar articles: [Installation of cPanel/WHM on Ubuntu 22.04](https://zomro.com/blog/faq/597-installing-cpanel-whm-on-ubuntu-22-04) [No load in Windows Task Manager 2019 - CPU 0%](https://zomro.com/blog/faq/431-net-nagruzki-v-dispetchere-zadach-windows-2019) [How to order a dedicated server in the new billing](https://zomro.com/blog/faq/230-kak-zakazat-vydelennyj-server-v-novom-billinge) [Connecting to a Server via SSH](https://zomro.com/blog/faq/142-podkljuchenie-k-serveru-po-ssh) [How to install phpMyAdmin in Docker](https://zomro.com/blog/faq/289-kak-ustanovit-phpmyadmin-v-docker) [ Premium Cloud VPS from €7.95/mon ](/premium-vps)