Files App Gets Major Update, Shows Microsoft The Way on File Management

Popular third-party file manager Files on Windows 11 just received a substantial update, bumping the app to version 3.3. While the update includes a range of improvements and bug fixes, it's the redesigned layout picker that's grabbing headlines.

Files has long been a favorite among Windows users seeking an alternative to the default File Explorer. The app boasts a beautiful interface and innovative features, many of which have later found their way into File Explorer itself. Tabs, for example, were first introduced in Files before Microsoft incorporated them into their own file manager.

The newest update to Files showcases yet another UI element that Microsoft might want to take note of: a redesigned layout picker. This revamped picker offers a cleaner and more functional design, with layout options displayed in a single row with large buttons. The selected layout is also highlighted using the system accent color for easy identification.

But the layout picker isn't the only improvement in Files 3.3. The update also introduces a slider for controlling item size across various views, allowing users to customize the details, list, grid, and column layouts to their preference. Additionally, the update enhances thumbnail performance with a shimmer animation displayed while thumbnails load, and adds DPI support for icons on the home page, tabs, and sidebar.

Usability improvements are a key focus of this update. A new settings page streamlines layout preference management, while the "Continue where you left off" feature now works even after restarting Windows.

The update comes packed with a variety of other changes and bug fixes, including:

1. Updated project to WinAppSdk 1.5

2. Renamed sidebar "Favorites" section to "Pinned"

3. Added header to the home page

4. Improved terminology with "Layout mode" replaced by "Layout"

5. Added link to the Files Discord server on the about page

6. Credential prompt for access-denied network shares

7. Support for opening and extracting mrpack files

8. Shimmer animation replaces placeholder icon for web shortcuts

9. Removed transitions when loading items in grid and list views

10. Fixed list view item selection issues

11. Fixed "Open with" and "Send to" submenus in Widgets

12. Fixed copying from archives

13. Fixed hash calculation issues

14. Fixed file property loading issues

15. Fixed details view icon overlay alignment

16. Fixed drag and drop issues with 7-Zip and Edge

17. Fixed video bitrate display

18. Fixed window focus issues

19. Fixed tab focus switching issues

20. Fixed drag and drop onto .ahk files

21. Resolved various exceptions and errors