Windows 11 gets a big redesign for folders and an exciting feature is imminent

Date:
Sat, 22 Jul 2023 11:29:38 +0000

Description:
Microsoft is busy testing some major changes to the beating heart of Windows 11s interface.

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Windows 11 just got a new preview build which brings in the much talked
about revamp of File Explorer , and a number of other features besides.

File Explorer is the central pillar of the Windows 11 interface its the very windows on the desktop you use to browse through folders and files and it
has undergone a full overhaul in the latest test version in the Beta channel (build 22621.2050 / 22631.2050).

Microsoft calls it a modernized File Explorer, and it comes sporting a new details pane and address bar plus search box.

When you select a file, the new details pane shows contextual info relating
to that file such as a thumbnail, share status, recent activity for the file, any related files and other details.

The modernized address bar in File Explorer automatically recognizes local
(on the PC) or cloud folders and shows their status as such, and for those
who use OneDrive, the bar carries the storage services sync status to see at-a-glance (plus theres a quota flyout).

For those signed into a Microsoft account, Quick Access folders have also
been rejigged with an updated experience. And lastly, those signed into an Azure Active Directory (AAD) account (business users) will get recommended files shown in a carousel (with file thumbnails coming soon, were told).

Another major introduction here is the Dynamic Lighting hub that weve heard a lot about in the past. This provides a central place to control your peripherals with RGB lighting, so you dont have to bloat your system with multiple third-party apps from hardware makers.

Were told that a bunch of peripheral manufacturers have partnered with Microsoft on this, including Acer, Asus, HP, HyperX, Logitech, Razer, and Twinkly.

Elsewhere in this beta build, Windows Ink is getting pepped up so users can write into edit fields in the OS. That means you can, for example, write directly into a search box in the Windows 11 interface, with the eventual
goal being you can use your stylus to write anywhere in the UI.

Theres a bunch of other bits and pieces going on here, such as a new volume mixer in Quick Settings, plus adding new natural voices for Narrator (including UK English, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish). For the full details, see Microsofts blog post introducing the build. Analysis: Happiness is a setting that doesnt work (just yet)

Clearly, there are some big moves here. For gamers, the Dynamic Lighting hub should be a real gem, although its slightly late arriving for testing we
were expecting to see it debut in May.

And its great to see the redesigned File Explorer land, of course. This will be an ongoing piece of work, and doubtless one of the central cogs of the
23H2 update when it arrives later this year its also set to introduce an image gallery view for folders (which has already been incorporated into the Beta channel earlier).

Excitingly, theres something else here and thats the settings for never combined mode in Windows 11. This is a long-awaited feature for many (ourselves included) that is now included in Taskbar behaviors (in Settings) in this preview build, but sadly, the functionality doesnt work yet.

However, Microsoft tells us that it will be enabled in a beta build soon, so the wait is nearly over for the ability to tell Windows 11 not to stack up running instances of the same app on the taskbar. This feature must also be pretty much a dead cert for the 23H2 update, too, and were happy about that.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-gets-a-big-redesign-for -folders-and-an-exciting-feature-is-imminent


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