With the introduction of Windows 11 23H2, Microsoft has modernized File Explorer on Windows 11, bringing a fresher look and feel to the system's integral file management tool.
This update is not only visually pleasing but also comes with enhanced features and functions aimed at boosting productivity and making navigation simpler.
Among the new enhancements, the redesigned File Explorer now features a modern home page powered by WinUI, which integrates the Fluent Design System into all controls and styles.
Source: BleepingComputer
For those logged into Windows using an Azure Active Directory (AAD) account, recommended files will appear in a carousel with the soon-to-be-introduced support for file thumbnails.
Quick Access folders, Favorites, and Recent sections also get a visual overhaul, providing a seamless, contemporary user experience.
The new File Explorer has an updated address bar that can distinguish between local and cloud folders, displaying built-in status. Particularly for OneDrive users, the address bar will also indicate your OneDrive sync status and provide a flyout for your quota.
Another exciting introduction is the modernized details pane (accessed by ALT + Shift + P). This pane offers a variety of contextual information about selected files, including file thumbnails, share status, file activity, related files and emails, and more.
This new feature enhances the user's ability to manage and collaborate on files without opening them
A new Gallery View
Microsoft is also introducing the Gallery, a new feature in File Explorer designed to simplify access to your photo collection. The photos displayed in the Gallery are the same ones you'd see in the 'All Photos' view of the Photos app.
Source: BleepingComputer
The new gallery is optimized to showcase your most recent photos, and if you have the OneDrive Camera Roll Backup set up, photos you take will automatically appear at the top of the view.
Users can choose which folders appear in the Gallery and can even add subfolders to filter specific content.
Overall, the modernized File Explorer on Windows 11 breathes new life into a tool that is central to users' daily interactions with their computers.
From smart address bars to detailed file insights and easy photo access, the update greatly enhances user experience, making file management easier and more efficient.
If you want to test the new File Explorer yourself, you can install the Windows Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary preview builds.
Comments
xafase - 10 months ago
This looks to solve none of the issues that it has and that it kept for 10.
What is the new gallery for except for adding an incorrect shortcut to File Explorer.
Come back to me when they remember some people prefer mice over looking thru smudges and that adding a folder from my user folder to favorites actually takes to the proper location like it use to.
muratrd - 10 months ago
All the upgrades (you mentioned above) are just make-ups for Windows 11. Why don't you mention the terrible indexing? Why don't you mention the never working Search results? Why don't you mention the removal of Copy To Folder and Move To Folder options? If you are paid by Microsoft, then well done Mayank !! Try to write at junior magazines next time.
nauip - 10 months ago
I still see a "Show more options" and I'm willing to bet there's no way to customize what's in and what's out.
horsedoggs - 10 months ago
Yawning at the comments right now lol
wpontius - 10 months ago
As exciting as paint drying. Try something useful Microsoft like completing the move from control panel to settings, gutting all the legacy protocols and tools like; PowerShell 2.0, legacy networking SMB 1.0, Telnet and TFTP. Stop maintaining backwards compatibility for 20, 30+ years, those days are long gone. You have no problem dropping support for CPUs that are only 5 years old in the name of Windows 11 security. You don't support DOS (1981), Windows 2 (1987) or Windows 3 (1990), but still cling to 40+ year old SMBv1! Baffling!!
DrkKnight - 10 months ago
Once again , Microsoft adding more eye candy instead of focusing on fixing the issues it has been neglecting for so long.
MrMicrosoft99 - 9 months ago
Even with the 4 GB limitation on file copying I still use the Norton's File Manager called Norton's NT Tools from 1996. You'd think in all this time Microsoft could have done something to equal it.