- Microsoft updates File Explorer with new features.
- These features include a new “Recommended” section on the “Home” page to suggest files.
- File Explorer also introduces a new context menu with access to key shortcuts.
As part of the preview build 23403 for Windows 11, Microsoft has also rolled out an updated version of File Explorer that introduces some new improvements to the “Home” page and context menu.
The “Home” page has been updated with a new “Recommended” section that suggests relevant files. However, the recommendations are not based on your recent activities since the “Recent” section is still available on the page and surfaces those files you use frequently.
Instead, the feature is available to Windows 11 users signed in with an Azure Active Directory (AAD) account, which means that the recommended files will be cloud files associated with that account, either owned by the user or shared with the user.
In addition, File Explorer is also implementing access key shortcuts into the XAML context menu to execute a command quickly. You can access the shortcuts view by selecting the file and pressing the physical “Menu” key on the keyboard.
The improvements come soon after the company began experimenting with a new version of File Explorer using the XAML programming code and the new WinUI 3 from the Windows App SDK (WASDK).
Although the file manager is now based on a different programming and design language, the overall design remains the same but with a few additional changes, such as the new “Gallery” section that brings a new view similar to the Photos app and the new “Recommended” section in the “Home” page. (The update for the context menu is still only available for the legacy version of the app.)
In a previous report, it’s been suggested that Microsoft is also planning other updates for File Explorer, including “Shared Status,” “Conversations,” “Insights,” and “Activities” pages which are said to be features that will integrate with the Microsoft 365 products.
In addition, the company is reportedly planning to add modern design updates to make File Explorer more touch-friendly with a simplified interface in the sidebar and header and bigger hitboxes.
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].