New File Explorer Top 10 Hidden Features on Windows 11
Microsoft recently released an updated version of File Explorer with Windows 11. While the interface looks similar on the surface, there are quite a few handy new features packed in that you may not know about. Here are the top 10 hidden gems to help you get the most out of the New File Explorer and optimize your productivity. Read on if you have an interest in Windows 12: Features Top 12, Release Date, Download All & Details.
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| New file explorer top 10 hidden features on windows 11 |
1. Tabs
One of the most convenient and useful new features is tabbed browsing. You can now open multiple folders in different tabs within the same File Explorer window. To open a new tab, you simply click the plus (+) button next to the existing tab. You can rearrange tabs by dragging and dropping them, and close tabs by clicking the (x) on the tab icon.Tabs reduce on-screen clutter and make transferring files between folders much easier compared to having multiple windows open. Power users who juggle several folders at once will appreciate this feature. Tabbing reduces wasted clicks and speeds up file management workflows.
2. Floating Windows
The New File Explorer features allow you to pop folders out into floating windows. Just click the maximize button in the top corner of a File Explorer window, and it will pop out as a floating window you can freely move around.
Floating folder windows enable convenient side-by-side comparisons or seamless dragging of files between multiple locations. To move a floating window, simply drag the title bar. When done, click the restore down button to snap it back into the main interface.
Floating folder windows enable convenient side-by-side comparisons or seamless dragging of files between multiple locations. To move a floating window, simply drag the title bar. When done, click the restore down button to snap it back into the main interface.
3. Split Screen View
Another handy built-in windowing feature is split-screen view. Click and drag a tab to either side of the File Explorer window to snap it into place as a split view. This allows you to visually see the contents of two different folders at once, making it invaluable for comparisons and efficient file transfers between locations.
4. Compact Overlay
If you activate Compact Overlay mode, it shrinks the ribbon and hides other UI elements when not actively in use. This gives you more maximum screen space to view folder contents. Toggle it on/off using the arrow button at the upper right. The compact layout slides away elements, including the preview pane, reducing visual clutter while keeping tools just a click away.
5. Customizable Interface Panes
The different panes in File Explorer, like the ribbon and navigation pane, can now be customized to your personal preferences. Right-click areas like the toolbar and click "Show" or "Hide" for options like tab bar, preset buttons, status bar, and more. This allows adapting File Explorer's interface layout to complement your workflows.
6. Cloud Service Integration
The New File Explorer now has cloud service integration built right in, providing easy access to connected services like OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, and more. Click the Cloud locations entry in the navigation pane to conveniently access your synced cloud content and manage account access. The native integration avoids the need for separate apps to access these popular services.
7. Tab Organization
Keep lots of tabs open? Use the new tab organizing features to deftly handle them. Right-click a tab and choose "Move tab to new tab group" to cluster related tabs. The colorful grouping makes related tabs easier to identify at a glance. You can also switch to vertical tabs, see tab previews by hovering, and more.
8. Custom Folder Views
Tailor folder views to your liking via the customizable File Explorer layouts. Go beyond simple icon and list views to show/hide individual panes, reorder columns, filter by type/size/date, change sort order, and more. Click the View tab to access layout customization options to really adapt list displays to your needs.
9. Quick Access History
With the convenient Quick Access view, File Explorer maintains a history of recently accessed files and folders. Click the Quick Access button in the navigation pane to instantly view recently viewed documents, downloaded files, screenshots, and other content in one place. Pin important folders too for permanent one-click access.
10. Approachable Menu Commands
The thoughtfully updated interface makes File Explorer's tools and commands more approachable. The helper text explains what commands like zipping or pinning do before you activate them. The streamlined ribbon also better organizes related functions more intuitively. Features you may have overlooked in the past now feel more understandable and usable.
11. Optimized for Productivity
The tweaks in the New File Explorer raise its versatility and customizability to new levels. Integrations reduce reliance on separate apps, while built-in organization capabilities handle rising volumes of personal and work content.
Hopefully, these tips will help you discover some "new" features that may have been there all along but feel fresh and extremely usable now. Experiment with File Explorer's latest incarnation to streamline your file management workflows and unlock higher PC productivity.
Other Key File Explorer Enhancements:
Hopefully, these tips will help you discover some "new" features that may have been there all along but feel fresh and extremely usable now. Experiment with File Explorer's latest incarnation to streamline your file management workflows and unlock higher PC productivity.
Other Key File Explorer Enhancements:
- The new homepage provides quick access to frequent folders
- Modern aesthetics with rounded corners
- Enhanced search with autocorrection
- Customizable dark mode support
- Better syncing with OneDrive cloud storage
- File transfer progress indicators
- Improved accessibility options
- Seamless handling of Zip, Rar, 7z compressed files
- Integrates with Office and Microsoft 365 ecosystem
- Share folder access straight from File Explorer
- Simplified file conflict resolution
- Context menu shows recent actions
- Virtual desktop integration
- Advanced keyboard shortcuts
With its latest round of enhancements, File Explorer catches up with 3rd party alternatives while retaining native Windows integration. Both casual and power users will appreciate improvements that alleviate previously wasted clicks and outdated tools.
What’s your favorite addition to the New File Explorer features (top 10 hidden)? Share your experiences adapting to the updated workflows. What further improvements would you still like to see in future Windows versions? If you have any doubts, then comment comment section now.
What’s your favorite addition to the New File Explorer features (top 10 hidden)? Share your experiences adapting to the updated workflows. What further improvements would you still like to see in future Windows versions? If you have any doubts, then comment comment section now.