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A substantial redesign for File Explorer on Windows 11 is reportedly in the works to make it easier to use and further integrate with Microsoft 365.
The report comes from Windows Central (opens in new tab), who managed to get their hands on exclusive information and even some internal mock-up images of what the new File Explorer might look like. However, take everything mentioned in the news with a grain of salt. The final product may look radically different as things are still in the conceptual stage. Nothing has been officially revealed yet.
If the mockups are to be believed, aspects of the toolbar will be changed to more closely follow the style of Windows 11. Both the address and search bar look rounder, as the File Explorer tabs remain at the top.
Global actions such as “New”, “Copy” and “Paste” will now appear below the header in the file/folder view. Even the navigation menu on the left looks rounder. At a glance, the redesign could make File Explorer more like modern web browsers than a traditional file manager.
Other new features
The other important aspect of the redesign is the Microsoft 365 integration (opens in new tab) on the Home tab, which is now split into three different sections. The top section is a feed of “recommended files” from other 365 users in the cloud, complete with large thumbnails so you know what’s being suggested. Below that in the details pane, the new file explorer shows email threads and recent comments in files shared “across multiple colleagues or attached via email.” And like the thumbnails, the bits of information are “visible at a glance.”
Microsoft is also reportedly “playing” with the idea of bringing tags to File Explorer, which would allow users to organize files by keywords and colors in a similar way to the Finder app on macOS. Additionally, “a richer photo viewing experience through a new gallery section” is being worked on. Not much is known about this latter photo feature, except that users can view large image previews by hovering their cursor over files.
Awaiting release date
A release date for this revision – assuming nothing is changed or dropped – is unknown. According to the report, Microsoft is aiming to launch the new File Explorer by the end of 2023 with two likely timeframes for the rollout.
The redesign could be this summer as part of a Moment update or with the release of version 23H2 for Windows 11. It’s too early to say with complete certainty. However, as Windows Central points out, if the redesign comes out in its entirety, it will be the “most important update to File Explorer since Windows 8.”
It would be great if the redesign actually came to fruition. File Explorer hasn’t changed much over the years – just a few tweaks here and there, like new tabs but nothing major.
If you’re interested in getting more out of your file manager, check out TechRadar’s list of the best file managers for 2023.