Microsoft is Bringing a Major Overhaul and New Features to File Explorer in Windows 11

JAKARTA - Microsoft is reported to be presenting a major overhaul of the interface (UI) for File Explorer in Windows 11. Not to be left behind, along with its new features.

The overhaul will include a modern design to match the rest of Windows 11 and features to more deeply integrate Microsoft 365 and OneDrive.

First reported by Windows Central, one of the upcoming changes is to show some of the new Recommended files on the Home screen.

The files are fetched from SharePoint and OneDrive locations, then displayed with large thumbnails so that the user will have a clearer view of the recommended files.

The integration also deepens, as the File details panel has also been modernized to show more information. There, users will be able to see recent activity on shared files, as well as recent comments on files, whether they're shared via the cloud or via email.

One of the shared images also shows a section for the associated file, which gives the user more context for the specific case they may be working on.

Furthermore, subtle UI changes are also present that carry over the entire Windows 11 design, with rounded buttons and more touch-friendly elements.

Microsoft has rarely changed File Explorer since Windows 8, but a recent change emerged in October last year to bring tabs support in the latest Windows 11 major update.

Microsoft is also reportedly working on a new gallery area of ​​File Explorer, which will include larger photo previews. Also coming is an update to the tagging feature for File Explorer, users can tag and organize files in the macOS Finder app.

However, citing The Verge, Thursday, January 26, Microsoft has not officially acknowledged this new File Explorer change, but part of the code related to the change was seen in a recent Windows 11 test build.

The company which has announced layoffs of its 10.000 employees has now moved on to testing more experimental features within Windows 11, which may not always ship, but this File Explorer revamp is rumored to roll out in late 2023.