File Explorer new changes for version 24H2
One of the standout features in version 24H2 is the introduction of a wizard for creating archive formats. Users will now be able to open and extract a variety of archival formats, including Tar, 7z, and Zip files. The wizard can be accessed by right-clicking on a file, selecting items, and then clicking on “Additional options.” This streamlined process allows for the creation of Zip, 7z, or TAR files, although it does not support “.rar” formats or encryption options.
When opting for the 7zip format, users can choose from several compression methods:
- LZMA2
- Store
- Deflate
- BZip2
- LZMA1
- PPMd
For Tar files, the available compression methods include:
- BZip2
- Gzip
- xz
- Zstandard
Lastly, Zip files will offer:
- Store
- Deflate
The wizard also allows users to retain hard and symbolic links. During the extraction process, if a file name conflict arises, File Explorer will automatically prompt a dialog box to either skip or replace the conflicting files. While the modern context menu has been refined with clear labels for actions such as “Cut,” “Copy,” “Rename,” “Share,” and “Delete,” users can still access the legacy version by clicking on “Show more options.”
Thumbnail previews changes
Another subtle yet impactful update involves thumbnail previews. When hovering over a group of tabs, users will now see the name of the tab in focus along with the total number of tabs open in that instance of File Explorer. Additionally, the latest version now supports viewing and editing metadata for “.png” files, allowing users to modify attributes such as stars, descriptions, and keywords.
Home page section revamp
The “Home” page of File Explorer has also received a makeover. While the “Quick access” section remains intact, Microsoft has merged the “Favorites” and “Recent” sections into a single tabbed interface. A new “Shared” tab has been introduced to display files shared with the user. For those utilizing a business account, comments on shared files will also be accessible.
If a tab lacks content, an icon will appear with a message explaining the absence of files. Furthermore, the Share interface has been enhanced; users with an Android phone connected via the Phone Link app will find it easier to share content directly to their devices.
Moreover, if an Android phone is linked through the “Manage mobile devices” feature, users can access phone storage as if it were connected via USB. To enable this functionality, the “Show mobile device in File Explorer” toggle must be activated in the Settings under Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices > Manage devices.
Other recently added features
In addition to these enhancements, Microsoft has also reintroduced some features that were previously removed. Users can once again...
