In 2025, Microsoft is making strides in enhancing File Explorer on Windows 11, seamlessly integrating artificial intelligence features and improving overall usability. The updates this year focus on refining the context menu, simplifying sharing processes, and optimizing performance, thereby elevating the user experience in file management.
While the 25H2 version, also known as the 2025 Update, does not independently introduce changes to File Explorer, many enhancements that were part of the earlier 24H2 version and Insider builds have gradually been incorporated into both iterations. Below are some of the most noteworthy features that Microsoft has officially rolled out for File Explorer this year.
Microsoft 365 Files
For users with work or school accounts linked to Microsoft Entra ID, the “Activity” column and “Recommended” section now display people icons. When hovering over or clicking a Microsoft 365 Live Persona Card, users can quickly see who is associated with a file and their relationship to it.
Windows Share Experience
The Windows Share interface, often accessed through File Explorer, has also received significant updates. A new option allows users to “Pin” their favorite apps for quick access in the “Share using” section. Additionally, when sharing a link, a preview thumbnail will be generated, enhancing the sharing experience.
For image sharing, users can now adjust file compression settings under the thumbnail preview, choosing from “Low,” “Medium,” or “High.” Notably, the default compression is disabled, ensuring that no compression occurs before sharing. The Windows Share interface now also includes tools for basic image editing tasks like cropping, rotating, and applying filters prior to sharing.
Moreover, when dragging local files from File Explorer or the desktop, a new flyout appears at the top of the screen, suggesting apps for quick sharing. The context menu has also been updated to list applications that support sharing via the Windows Share interface.
File Explorer Address Bar
File Explorer now features a file backup reminder that emerges from the address bar. Users can easily snooze or disable the “Start backup” reminder, provided they are not already backing up files through OneDrive.
AI Integration
Microsoft is also integrating AI into File Explorer, albeit not through a proprietary model. Instead, a new “AI Actions” menu has been added to the context menu, granting access to AI-powered features from other applications. Users can right-click to select from various actions:
- Bing Visual Search: Quickly sends an image to Bing for an image search.
- Blur Background: Opens the image in the Photos app to blur the background.
- Erase Objects: Removes unwanted elements from images using Generative Erase in Photos.
- Remove Background: Opens the image in the Paint app, allowing users to remove the background.
These AI Actions currently support image formats such as JPG, JPEG, and PNG. For Microsoft 365 subscribers, a new “Summarize action in Copilot” option is available, enabling users to create summaries of files stored in OneDrive and SharePoint without opening them.
Other Changes
In addition to these features, Microsoft has implemented various changes aimed at enhancing the speed and reliability of the file manager. For instance, archive extraction has become quicker, particularly for large “.7z” or “.rar” files, as well as when unzipping numerous small files. Users will also notice improved performance when loading folders with extensive media collections and faster access to cloud files and context menus.
While the Windows 11 2025 Update may not introduce groundbreaking changes over version 24H2, Microsoft continues to focus on refining and enhancing the functionality of File Explorer.
More Resources
For those interested in exploring further, a variety of in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips are available to help users maximize their experience with Windows 11 and 10.
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