Surely some of you already know Files, the alternative File Explorer for Windows 10 and Windows 11. We have previously talked about this UWP application and how we think it is the best alternative to Microsoft’s File Explorer.
This time, Files has been updated to version 2.1 and includes an important list of new features and bug fixes. We go with them!
What’s new in Files v2
- Configuration dialog redesign
- Property window redesign
- Added a shortcut key to play audio and video in the preview pane
- Added a button in the toolbar to empty the recycle bin
- The window title has been made the same as the name of the selected tab
- Compatibility options have been added to the properties dialog
- Has been added native ARM64 support
- Improved keyboard navigation in column layout
- Improved keyboard navigation in detail layout
- Added support for file symbolic links
- Added a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + H) to show / hide hidden files
- Removed lag in loading sidebar items and other services upon launch
- Show network shortcuts in the sidebar
- Clear all button has been added to the tasks in progress window.
- Clicking the mouse wheel opens a new tab on the selected path
- An experimental option has been added to show the size of folders.
- Added support for collapsing the widgets on the home page
- Added subtle animation in list view
- Option to open files on Windows startup has been added
- Added support for Next Cloud
- Added support for Yandex.Disk
- Open the recycle bin and this PC’s shortcuts in Files when it is set as the default file manager
Corrections
- Fixed properties window not closing when OK button was clicked.
- Fixed a crash that occurred when dropping a shortcut on an executable
- Fixed an issue with copying shortcuts
- Fixed an issue where the option to reset file browser to default would sometimes crash
- Fixed an issue where changing the sort option would create a hidden file
- Fixed an issue where grouping by date could include files from the previous week
- Fixed an issue where restoring items from the Recycle Bin would remove the file extension
- Fixed an issue that caused the list of file labels to be serialized incorrectly
- Fixed an issue where the file extension was sometimes removed when renaming an item
Use Files 2.1 as the default file browser
The Files team recently added the possibility (in an experimental phase) to use this app as the default file explorer, replacing the one in Windows 10 or Windows 11.
This feature has been polished in Files 2.1 to work better (although still experimental). If you are already using it, it is recommended to deactivate it and activate it again so that you can enjoy the improvements.