You Won't Believe What Just Changed in My Favorite File Explorer Alternative!

Instead of using Windows 11’s default File Explorer due to its traditional design and limited features compared to modern apps, I prefer the third-party app called “Files.” This app just received a major update to version 3.9, marking one of its largest updates in recent years. The update brings several enhancements and modifications that have piqued my curiosity.

In version 3.9 of Files, a Cards View format has been added, which displays information about files including their size. This means that when I upload images to Windows Central, I can easily check if they meet the size requirement without having to right-click or access individual items. Additionally, this layout shows tag symbols and indicates the sync status of each file.

The significant upgrade to version 3.9 is worth mentioning due to the numerous enhancements it introduces. The card layout, grid view, thumbnail images, and the information panel have all been refined with this update. Moreover, the app now provides customizable shortcut names and DPI-adaptive icon and thumbnail designs.

One convenient modification I appreciate is keeping files active in the backdrop as you move an item to another application. With my frequent handling of PDFs and images, this feature is particularly handy for seamlessly transferring them among different applications.

Files v3.9: Whats new

Introducing the Cards View layout

We’ve introduced a fresh layout called “Card Layout“, which incorporates basic information such as the item’s thumbnail, name, type, and size, as well as details that are relevant in specific contexts. For example, images display their dimensions, media files show their duration, devices like phones and tablets display their storage details. Additional information like file tags and sync status for cloud drives are also shown. This new layout takes the place of the previous “Tiles View”.

Improved contrast in the Grid View layout

In the revamped Grid View design, there’s a distinctively colored border added to highlighted items, boosting their visibility and contrast for easier identification.

Thumbnail sizes

In all views – Details, List, Columns, and Cards, the sizes of icons and thumbnails are automatically adjusted to match the chosen layout size.

Storage information in the Details Pane

We’ve incorporated a fresh segment into the ‘Details Panel’, which now shows drive storage specifics, enabling you to swiftly retrieve this data whenever needed.

Custom shortcut names

Now, you have the ability to give personalized names to your new shortcuts directly within the New Shortcut Creation window. Earlier, shortcut names were generated automatically and could only be changed once they had been created.

Revamped Release Notes experience

We’ve given the Release Notes section a facelift! The button that appears following an update now sports a brand-new icon. Additionally, we’ve introduced a new function allowing you to open the Release Notes dialogue whenever you want, not just after an update. Lastly, the Release Notes dialogue now displays changelogs directly from our Files website.

Redesigned Update Files button

The “Update Files” button, visible only when an update is necessary, has undergone a facelift with a freshly designed icon in a vibrant color. This change makes it stand out more, making it easier for you to identify and perform updates on your files.

DPI awareness improvements

As a tech enthusiast, I’m excited to share that icons and thumbnails have been upgraded to be DPI-aware across multiple views, including Details View, List View, Columns View, Cards View, the search suggestion flyout, and even the Tags Widget. This means they will adjust to any display resolution, ensuring clarity for a crisp viewing experience on all screens!

Updated Tags Widget

The Tags Widget has been updated to match the general User Interface layout. Additionally, we’ve included a fresh feature that enables you to assign tags by simply dragging and dropping files or folders onto the tags displayed in the sidebar, streamlining your organization process even further.

Enhanced support for image files

Now, you have the ability to rotate images in the JPEG-XR format using either the toolbar or the right-click context menu. Furthermore, you can easily customize your desktop or lockscreen background by selecting a JPEG-XR image directly from Files.

Auto focus new tabs

In the General Settings, we’ve introduced an automatic feature that switches to freshly opened tabs without any manual action required.

Improved Properties Window

On the “Customize” page within the Properties Window, you can now search for .icl files effortlessly. Moreover, we’ve implemented functionality to edit the ‘compress contents’ attribute. Additionally, our shortcut page offers flexibility to resize the window when opening shortcut files.

New launch protocols

For each division within Files, we’ve implemented unique startup procedures. This makes handling various file versions much more manageable.

Performance enhancements

Instead of completely opening before showing the items, the breadcrumb menu now starts displaying its contents as soon as you open it. We’ve also eliminated the opening and closing animations from the breadcrumb, back, and forward buttons for quicker access. Moreover, thumbnails within these menus will now load gradually, decreasing initial loading times and enhancing overall speed and responsiveness.

Improved Drag & Drop functionality

Now, when you move items to different apps, the File window automatically minimizes itself. Also, you’re able to transfer files directly from the Recent Files widget right into other applications.

Archive support

To quickly open gzipped files, you can make it so that Files is the go-to app. This simplifies your process when dealing with compressed files. Notably, we’ve upgraded our 7zip support for enhanced performance benefits.

Details View settings

Now, when you adjust column settings through the Settings Dialog, it applies to all current tabs. Earlier, modifications were applied only to tabs opened after the change.

Updated Home Page

We’ve improved the Home Page by removing the empty toolbar area, providing a cleaner look.

Address Bar keyboard navigation

We’ve made it possible to open breadcrumb flyouts using the Space and Enter keys, enhancing keyboard accessibility.

Taskbar

The number of open tabs is no longer displayed in the Windows Taskbar.

Cloud Drive support

Added support for Lucid Link v3.

Files v3.9: Fixes

Actions

Fixed a crash that would occur when using the ‘Storage Sense’ action.
Resolved an issue with the ‘Run with PowerShell’ action not working for files with spaces in their names.

Address Bar

Fixed keyboard navigation in the address path bar.
Resolved an issue where the address bar flyouts sometimes displayed duplicate items.

Archives

Fixed an issue where the size wasn’t displayed after creating a new archive.

Cloud Drives

Addressed various issues with Google Drive support.

Columns View

Fixed an issue that caused unexpected scrolling in the Columns View layout.
Resolved a crash that would occur when opening the context menu in the Columns View layout.

Drag & Drop

Resolved multiple issues with drag & drop support between Files and other applications.

Git Repos

Fixed an issue where soft link details were misaligned in Git repositories.

Group By and Sort By

Resolved an issue where changing the grouping and sorting preferences would only update the current tab.

Right Click Context Menu

Fixed an issue where right-clicking a file would display the option to open in a new tab.

Startup

Fixed a crash that would occur when starting Files from WSL directories.
Resolved startup freeze caused by a heavily populated Recycle Bin.
Fixed an issue where the previous session’s tabs were briefly displayed when the startup setting was set to ‘open new tab’.
Fixed an issue where launching Files from Terminal didn’t use the correct path.

Tabs

Resolved an issue where tabs weren’t placed in the correct order when dragged from other windows.

Tags

Resolved an issue with displaying properties for tagged items.
Fixed an issue where tags sometimes displayed with the wrong color.

Title Bar

Fixed an issue where the title bar drag region was sometimes missing.

2025-02-03 21:40

You Won’t Believe What Just Changed in My Favorite File Explorer Alternative!