With Windows 10 version 1809, File Explorer includes a different UI and better menu supports. How to perform a total system reset in Windows 10 Watch Now With the preview rollout of Windows 10 version 1809, Microsoft quietly updated its universal File Explorer with new features and changes for the first time, as reported by Windows Central. Several of the changes could make the file management tool more useful across devices for business users. Microsoft first rolled out the universal File Explorer tool with Windows 10 Mobile in 2015, eventually bringing it to Xbox and HoloLens as well. However, the tool is not intended for desktop use: It was built for versions of Windows 10 where the legacy File Explorer did not exist, and on devices where the user was likely not doing a lot of file management, Windows Central noted. SEE: Mobile device computing policy (Tech Pro Research) However, with version 1809, Microsoft has added the following changes in the app that could be useful for business users, Windows Central found: Drag and drop support Better right-click menu support Improved copy and paste system that is similar to the legacy File Explorer New cut option Ability to set images as wallpaper directly from the app UI buttons at the top instead of bottom of the app Earlier in August, Microsoft announced that it would roll out a dark theme for the universal File Explorer in the next version of Windows 10 as well, which was a top request from users, our sister site ZDNet reported. These changes are notable because Microsoft had never updated the universal File Explorer app before, Windows Central noted. According to the site's report, Microsoft is planning to use the universal File Explorer on Windows Core OS devices, including the Surface Hub 2, HoloLens 2, Andromeda, and PCs with Polaris. It's likely that we'll see more updates to universal File Explorer with the upcoming Windows 10 updates. The big takeaways for tech leaders: With the rollout of the preview of Windows 10 version 1809, Microsoft has updated its universal File Explorer with new features and changes for the first time. Changes to the universal File Explorer include drag and drop support, better right-click menu support, and an improved copy and paste system. Microsoft Weekly Newsletter Be your company's Microsoft insider by reading these Windows and Office tips, tricks, and cheat sheets. Delivered Mondays and Wednesdays Sign up today Also see<doc-sep>Microsoft has been roundly criticized for its seemingly lackadaisical development approach to the more mobile/touch friendly portions of Windows 10. However, it seems the Windows engineering team may be working on feature that could eventually be a solid proposition offering when buyers consider their next 2 in 1 or Surface Go tablet. Zac Bowden over at Windows Central highlights improvements recently made to the long forgotten Universal File Explorer for Windows. First introduced in Windows 10 Mobile back in 2015, the Universal File explorer was thought to be the natural replacement for the current file explorer in Windows 10. UFE was more mobile friendly with larger touch targets and a more breathable user flow. However, the fall of Windows phone undercut development and presumably engineering focus for its Windows 10 port, as a fully functional file explorer already existed. UFE was brought to Windows 10 but ultimately abandoned for the past two years. Now it seems the Windows team is reviving its focus on UFE and brining some new features such as Drag and Drop support, improved right-click menu support, improved copy paste functionality, a new cut option in the menus and UI touches. Bowden hypothesizes that the recent UFE development is meant for Windows Core OS rather than the current Windows 10 branch. UFE for WCOS would mean more embedded devices would benefit from the stripped down version of this file explorer. However, it would also make sense for Microsoft to eventually move something such as UFE to Windows 10 S in the future. Microsoft moves rather slowly when it comes to Windows 10 development but as Bowden postulates, it seems the company is trying to modernize its sorely needed utilities such as Paint, Settings, Snipping Tool and others. We could see the Windows 10 update beyond Redstone 5, include UFE at some point. Share This Post:<doc-sep>
Microsoft's universal File Explorer has been updated with new features and changes for the first time in Windows 10 version 1809, adding new behaviors such as drag-and-drop, better right-click support and more. The universal File Explorer first debuted with Windows 10 Mobile back in 2015 and eventually made its way to Xbox and HoloLens too. Microsoft even started bundling it with Windows 10 desktop starting with version 1703, albeit in a hidden state. The universal File Explorer has never been (and still isn't) intended for desktop use as it was only ever built for versions of Windows 10 where the legacy File Explorer didn't exist, on devices where the user wasn't expected to do much file management anyway. Starting with version 1809, however, it appears Microsoft has started work on the universal File Explorer again, as we've noted the following changes to the app in the latest Redstone 5 builds: Drag and drop support. Better right-click menu support. Improved copy/paste system similar to legacy File Explorer. New cut option. Can set images as wallpaper directly from the app. UI buttons at the top instead of bottom of the app. These changes are very interesting, if only because Microsoft has never updated this app before. The app is still hidden on the desktop in 1809, so why has Microsoft decided to update it now? Well, according to my sources, Microsoft is planning to use this universal File Explorer on Windows Core OS (WCOS) devices including Surface Hub 2, HoloLens 2, Andromeda, and even PCs with Polaris. Work on this universal File Explorer has only really just started, so expect to see even more improvements over the next several Windows 10 feature updates. Early groundwork