Windows 11 version 22H2: File Explorer changes

In the fourth part of the series, we’ll take a look at the default file manager tool, File Explorer, and the changes Microsoft plans to introduce in the Windows 11 2022 Update.

#When Microsoft launched the new Windows 11 operating system in 2021, it made changes to File Explorer in several key areas. One of the most prominent changes is the introduction of a compact context menu, which File Explorer displays by default.

Tip: Here are the instructions for restoring the classic File Explorer context menu in Windows 11.

This change isn't the only one, as Microsoft simplified File Explorer's main toolbar, which resulted in many items only being accessible after an extra click or two.

Windows users hoping that Microsoft will address these issues in an upcoming feature update will be disappointed. There are other changes though, and the following paragraphs highlight all the important changes in File Explorer.

File Explorer in Windows 11 2022 Update

How to configure it:

1. Open File Explorer device.
2. Select Menu > Options from the main toolbar at the top (the menu is the three dots).
3. Open the menu next to "Open File Explorer to" in the Folder Options window to select:
   • Home: Selected by default.
   • This PC: Shows quick access to folders and all connected drives.
   • OneDrive: Display OneDrive content.

#OneDrive is missing from releases of the Windows 11 operating system. Other file sync providers can also add their services to the menu so that users can select them as the starting page when opening File Explorer.

Folder Options lists another new feature in the Windows 11 2022 update. The option to display files from Office.com is enabled by default.

Unwanted Windows 11 users can uncheck "Show files from Office.com" to disable the feature and remove the file list from Office.com.

Folder Preview

Then the folder preview feature returns in the upcoming Windows 11 feature update. Microsoft launched Windows 11 without it.

Basically, what it does is provide a preview of the folder contents in the folder icon. If the folder contains images, one of the images may appear as a thumbnail in the folder's own icon.

Other file types may also appear as previews. The application appears as the default application icon, and the Office document appears as a preview of one of the documents. Other file types may not show up as previews at all, or may only show generic icons.

Nonetheless, it may improve the experience for Windows 11 users who use File Explorer to browse their image or media collections.

Shortcuts and Context Menus

Microsoft has improved full context menu shortcuts in Windows 11 version 22H2. Windows 11 users can use the shortcut Shift-F10 to display a full context menu for a selected file, folder, or drive.

In a new feature update, users can also hold down the Shift key and right-click an item to instantly display a full context menu, bypassing compact menus.

Shift-F10 is still an option for keyboard-only users, but Shift-Right-Click is improving the experience for Windows users who prefer using a mouse.

Compact right-click context menu shows some new options when certain items are active. Font .inf and .cer files now display a new installation option in the context menu to improve the installation process for these files.

Right-clicking on this PC displays the new Map Network Drive and Disconnect Network Drive options, and right-clicking on a connected network drive immediately displays the disconnect in the new update.

The same options are also displayed when you right-click This PC in File Explorer's navigation pane.

Some items of the context menu have new icons.

New keyboard shortcut Ctrl-Shift-C Copies the full path of the selected file or folder to the clipboard.

Other changes

The sharing feature is listed as one of the available options in the toolbar and can now display contacts, nearby people, and apps. Once you select share, the sharing menu opens immediately, making it easier to share with users or applications that regularly share content.

The options available depend on whether you are using a local account or a Microsoft account, and what applications are installed on the device.

Tabs in File Explorer

It appears that tabs will not be part of the Windows 11 2022 update, but will be delivered in a smaller update after the first feature update is released.

Tabs are one of the main features that Microsoft has been working on for a long time. When the feature lands, Windows 11 users will be able to open multiple different folders and drives in a single File Explorer, similar to how tabbed browsing works in modern web browsers.

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