Report: Microsoft is Working on Redesigned Windows 11 File Explorer

Microsoft is reportedly working on a redesigned version of its Windows 11 File Explorer with better integrations with Microsoft 365. The new design would follow the recent addition of Tabs to File Explorer, which has been a top-requested feature from Windows users.

A new report from Windows Central includes two internal mockups of this redesigned File Explorer. The first one shows the revamped Home page with a “Recommended” section at the top with large thumbnails for suggested files.

The pinned and recent files sections below the new “Recommended” section look pretty much unchanged from the current version of File Explorer. However, the header has been tweaked to integrate a search bar and navigation controls, while existing header buttons have been moved right above the new Recommended section.

The second mockup shows the redesigned details pane for shared files showing more information from Microsoft 365. “The deeper integration with Microsoft 365 means users can see email threads and recent comments about files shared via the cloud across multiple colleagues or attached via email,” the report reads.

According to the report, Microsoft is exploring other File Explorer updates including a new “Gallery” area for viewing pictures. The company may also be working on a “tagging” feature that would mimic the functionality of tags in the macOS Finder or labels in Gmail.

The report says that Microsoft’s redesigned File Explorer may ship this summer at the earliest as part of a new “Moment” update for Windows 11. However, Microsoft could also roll it out to all Windows 11 users later this fall with the big annual update for the OS (version 23H2). We’ll see if the Windows Insider team will start discussing these File Explorer changes in the coming weeks, but in any case, Windows Insiders already have something new to look forward to this year.