Files UWP - Preview: A stunning start to a UWP File Explorer on Windows 10

UWP Files Preview Source: Windows Key

Windows ten'south built-in File Explorer is like my grandparents' sometime car. It was reliable and lasted a long time, but information technology wasn't a looker. The File Explorer is a critical part of many people's workflows and is used for everything from file direction to merely browsing through things on your PC. While functional, the Windows 10 File Explorer is in dire need of a mod refresh. In comes Files UWP - Preview, a UWP-based file explorer that merges file management with modern design.

Files UWP - Preview rolled out to the public during Launch 2022. I've been in touch with its programmer, Yair Aichenbaum, for ages and have seen the app come a long way. While Files UWP - Preview isn't finished, information technology's progressed enough to warrant a closer look.

Files UWP - Preview is gratuitous from the Microsoft Store. It's in preview at the moment, so some bugs and issues are expected. For this slice, I mainly focus on design and functionality and skip over a few bugs since I'm in a beta build of a preview app.

A universal file explorer

Files UWP - Preview

Gratuitous

Bottom line: Files UWP - Preview is a gorgeous file explorer that should make Microsoft jealous. It's in its early on stages now merely is off to an first-class start.

Pros:

Gorgeous blueprint
Supports tabs
Continues to add features
Fits right in on Windows ten

Cons:

Lacks features from Windows x's born File Explorer
Tin can be slow at times
Currently has some bugs while in preview

A gorgeous style to manage files

Uwp Files Preview Image Previews Source: Windows Fundamental

My first impression of Files UWP - Preview was how much it looked like information technology belongs on Windows 10. Information technology utilizes Fluent Blueprint, has light and dark modes, and has icons that match the rest of Windows 10. It looks like what I'd expect a file explorer to look like on Windows ten, rather than a dated app that looks like it's from over a decade ago.

Just Files UWP - Preview isn't just pretty, it adds features and functionality that many have requested from Windows 10'south built-in File Explorer. The biggest addition is tab support. Y'all can open up up new tabs to keep multiple folders and file locations open up at the aforementioned time. Unfortunately, you can't drag and drib between these tabs at the moment, though I've been told by its programmer that this is being worked on.

Information technology's also much more than touch-friendly than Windows x's File Explorer. It has big bear on targets that don't require a mouse and keyboard. That existence said, the targets aren't then big that it'south awkward to apply with a mouse and keyboard. I've used it on my touchscreen laptop for quite some fourth dimension and found both forms of input to work well.

Big shoes to fill

UWP Files Vs File Explorer Source: Windows Key

Files UWP - Preview has some massive shoes to fill up. Windows 10'due south congenital-in File Explorer is a critical part of people'due south workflow, whether they're professional creators or casual users. Unlike some apps that are trying to create a unique feel, Files UWP - Preview is trying to replicate Windows 10'south File Explorer while calculation functionality and looking ameliorate. That'south a tall order that Files UWP - Preview meets in many ways. It looks great, works pretty well, and has a lot of the functionality that y'all'd ask for in a file explorer, but it'due south not quite there still every bit an everyday tool for me.

The app can take a bit to load file locations and folders at times. I tin can't say if that's because on a beta version of the software or not, but information technology tin feel similar information technology's hanging while it searches for files. These pauses have generally become slower and less frequent over time, and I promise that tendency continues.

It shouldn't be likewise surprising that Files UWP - Preview isn't a full File Explorer replacement yet. The Windows x File Explorer is and so circuitous and needs to be and then good that Microsoft hasn't come out with a new i or a major revamp in years. We'll become one in Windows 10X, but at one point Windows 10X had three separate File Explorers, so it seems similar a complicated app to replace.

It's an ambitious job to replace a congenital-in role of Windows 10, and I think Aichenbaum and Luke Blevins, who are both project leads of Files UWP Preview, do a good job. I'm too impressed with how the app's development has trended. I started using Files UWP - Preview months before information technology came out every bit part of Launch 2022, and it'south grown a lot since then. Development besides seems to have sped up since it became publicly available.

Should y'all try Files UWP - Preview?

UWP Files Preview Tabs Source: Window Fundamental

Files UWP - Preview looks much amend than the congenital-in Files Explorer of Windows x. It's impact-friendly and mouse-friendly, meaning information technology works well on desktops, laptops, or tablets. The app also adds in some not bad functionality, such as tab back up. It's fun to play around with and I think in some situations could be part of a workflow. I plan to keep on using it, and think I'd use it much more if I had a tablet rather than a touchscreen laptop.

Does that mean you can fully replace the built-in Files Explorer with Files UWP - Preview? No, at least not right now. Some features aren't there nonetheless, and others need improving. The app is still in preview, and then we'll have to see how it develops over time. If information technology keeps trending in the same direction, I could see information technology being some people's principal file explorer in the future.

Mod file explorer

Files UWP - Preview

A gorgeous mode to manage your files

This modern file explorer has tabs, a gorgeous design, and is touch and mouse friendly. It's in early stages now but is a promising start to a UWP file explorer.

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