Better than the built-in file manager in Windows 11? Files App

I think everyone is using Windows' file explorer. The multi-tab function has been talked about for several years but it has not been added yet, which is really depressing. Here I recommend a new file manager - Files App, which is better than the one that comes with Windows. Let's take a look.

Files App is available in the Microsoft Store. Users can download Files App in the Microsoft Store. After installation, open it and you will see that Files App is similar to Windows File Explorer, which makes it easy for users to get started. So, what are the specific functions of Files App? Let's take a look at them one by one.

​​​​​

Figure 1 Files App

Support multiple tab windows

The first thing to say is that Files App supports multi-tab window function. Users can use it like a multi-tab browser. New pages are opened in new tabs, making file management more convenient and quick.

​​​​​

Figure 2 Multi-tab window

Dual panel mode Display more content on one page

The Files App not only has multi-tab windows, but also a dual-panel mode, that is, a column mode. In this mode, users can "open a folder in the second panel" on the same page. After this operation, the Files App will divide the file management area into columns and display different content in a dual-column mode. This mode is very practical in widescreen mode.

​​​​​

Figure 3 Dual-panel mode

Folder size can be seen

As we all know, Windows File Explorer can only display file sizes, but not folder sizes, which brings some inconvenience to us when organizing files. In Files App, users can set the display of folder sizes. After turning it on, you can view the folder size in the Files App detailed information list.

​​​​​

Figure 4 Displaying the size of folders

​​​​​

Figure 5 Folder size display switch

Users can enable this feature in the experimental features of the settings. However, there will be a long indexing process after it is enabled, and your computer drives will be displayed one by one according to the indexing process, and it will take up more system resources during this period.

More efficient Select and create a folder

In Windows, when we want to put some files into a folder, we usually have to create a new folder first, name it, and then drag the files into it. In Files App, we can directly select the file, then right-click the menu and select "Choose to create a folder", then name it to complete the operation of creating a new folder and putting the selected files into the folder, which is more efficient.

​​​​​

Figure 6 Select Create Folder

Tag files File tag function

Label files for easy searching later. Files App supports file labeling. Color labels are available by default, and users can add labels manually. However, the more troublesome thing is that in the current version, creating new labels requires manual editing of the tab page, and you also need to know the color code. Moreover, after marking a label, it can only be used for sorting, and the tagged file cannot be searched directly.

​​​​​

Figure 7: Adding tags to files

​​​​​

Figure 8 Creating a new label is a bit troublesome

Support file preview, it is convenient to view file information

Files App supports file preview function. Users only need to open the file preview pane and then click on the file to realize the file preview function. It supports preview of pictures, audio, video and other files, and provides some basic file information, such as resolution, camera model, focal length, exposure time and other parameters in the photo.

​​​​​

Figure 9 Preview image file

​​​​​

Figure 10 Preview video file

Home page shortcuts

You can also manage widgets on the homepage of Files App, that is, set the content displayed on the homepage. There is a "package" component here, which is closed by default. After opening it, you can add frequently used folders/files to the homepage for quick access. You can think of it as a shortcut on the homepage.

​​​​​

Figure 11 “Package” component

Summarize

How about the free Files App? If you think it's okay, then go download it and give it a try. Also, be careful when using its Set as Default File Manager function, because some users have reported that if you uninstall the Files App without turning off this function, it will not switch the Windows File Explorer back to the default.