Microsoft unveils a new feature for Windows 10 currently known as “Sets,” which will allow users to group apps along with websites into tabs, just like when using your web browser.
For example, if you’re working on a Word documents, and you need to include content located on another file, instead of opening apps separately, you can now create a new tab, and open the file with its native app on a tab within the same window. In addition, if you click a link within the document, instead of opening Microsoft Edge, the link will open the website using the browser experience, but in the same group of tabs.
As you can see, Sets allows you to stay more organized and work more efficiently on a project by keeping all related things together on a set of tabs. The best part is that if you’re signed in with your Microsoft account, you can always pick the same group of tabs where you left off on another device connected to your account.
The new tab page is virtually identical to a new tab using Microsoft Edge. The difference is that the search box will surface results from your computer, cloud services, and on the web.
Instead of the most recent sites, in the new Sets tab experience, you’ll find your more recent applications. You can also scroll down and access your feed of documents, but it appears that you’ll need an Office 365 subscription to see that.
Tabs for apps is a new feature expected to arrive with the release of Windows 10 version 1803 (Redstone 4). However, Microsoft notes that it’ll start testing this new feature soon with participants of the Windows Insider Program (but not every Insider will get this feature right away). Also, Sets is the temporary name, as the company is still brainstorming a final name for this new feature.
Initially, the feature will only be available for Microsoft Store apps, but it appears that the company is planning to expand the functionality to traditional desktop applications, including File Explorer. An update for Office is in the works to brings support for tabs some time next year.
Alongside the announcement of Sets, Microsoft has also said that soon, it’ll start testing Timeline, a new experience that lets you to go back in time to continue working on documents, apps, and websites you’re working previously.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].