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My favorite Windows 11 File Explorer alternative just got its biggest update in years
Winsage
February 3, 2025

My favorite Windows 11 File Explorer alternative just got its biggest update in years

Windows 11's third-party application "Files" has been updated to version 3.9, introducing several enhancements: - The Update Files button has a new design with a vibrant icon for easier updates. - Icons and thumbnails are now DPI aware for clarity on all display types, and a Tags Widget allows for easy tagging by dragging files onto tags. - Users can rotate JPEG-XR images and set them as desktop or lock screen backgrounds directly from the application. - A new setting allows automatic focus on newly created tabs. - The Properties Window has been improved to browse for .icl files and modify the ‘compress contents’ attribute. - Individual launch protocols for each branch of Files have been implemented. - Performance improvements include immediate loading of breadcrumb flyouts and reduced load times for thumbnails. - Drag-and-drop functionality has been refined, allowing background operation when dragging items to other applications. - Files now supports .gz archives as the default for compressed files, with updates to 7zip dependencies. - Users can toggle columns in Details View settings, with changes reflecting across all tabs. - The Home Page has been streamlined for a cleaner appearance. - Keyboard navigation enhancements allow opening breadcrumb flyouts with Space and Enter keys. - The Windows Taskbar no longer displays the number of open tabs. - Support for Lucid Link v3 has been added for cloud drive capabilities. Fixes in version 3.9 include resolving crashes, improving keyboard navigation, fixing issues with drag-and-drop support, and addressing various problems with cloud drives, columns view, and tags.
10 features you didn't know were in the Windows 11 File Explorer
Winsage
December 14, 2024

10 features you didn’t know were in the Windows 11 File Explorer

The File Explorer in Windows 11 includes several features to enhance file management: 1. Gallery: A section to view all images stored on the PC and OneDrive, organized by date. 2. Optimize folders: Users can customize folder appearances based on content type through the Properties menu. 3. Change default launch location: Users can set File Explorer to open to This PC or OneDrive instead of the Home folder. 4. Classic context menu: Users can access the traditional context menu by holding the Shift key while right-clicking. 5. Clear File Explorer history: Users can reset the history of visited folders for a fresh start. 6. Managing OneDrive files: Users can manage cloud files directly from File Explorer and identify local versus cloud storage. 7. Selecting multiple files with the keyboard: Users can use arrow keys and Control to select multiple files efficiently. 8. Extracting and creating archives: Users can create and extract various archive formats, including 7z and RAR, without third-party applications. 9. Move files to Android phone: Users can transfer files between a Windows PC and an Android device using Phone Link integration. 10. Rename files in bulk: Users can rename multiple files simultaneously by selecting them and entering a new name with a counter for differentiation.
Did the best files app on Windows 11 just beat Microsoft's File Explorer again?
Winsage
December 10, 2024

Did the best files app on Windows 11 just beat Microsoft’s File Explorer again?

Files app has been updated to version 3.8.1, introducing enhancements such as: - Details Pane now displays storage information when viewing drive details. - Users can assign custom names when creating new shortcut files. - Support for changing the ‘compress’ attribute directly from the properties window. - The number of open tabs is no longer displayed in the Windows Taskbar. - Files can be set as the default application for opening gz archives on Windows. - Improved drag-and-drop functionality, preventing the app from coming to the foreground when dragging items to another application. - Modifications to enabled columns in Settings will automatically update existing tabs. - Revamped Release Notes dialog displays changelogs from the Files website, with a new action to open it. Fixes include: - Resolved duplicate items in the address bar flyouts. - Corrected tab order when dragged from other windows. - Fixed the ‘Run with PowerShell’ action for files with spaces in their names. The developer, Yair, announced that future release notes will be communicated via a blog for better transparency and user engagement.
These are my 15 favorite features and changes that Microsoft added to Windows 11 in 2024
Winsage
December 7, 2024

These are my 15 favorite features and changes that Microsoft added to Windows 11 in 2024

- Windows 11 introduced the Sudo command, allowing users to execute commands with elevated privileges without launching the Windows Terminal as an administrator. - An "Energy Saver" mode was added to enhance power management, combining features of the previous "Battery Saver" and "Power Mode." - Users can now modify power button actions directly from Settings without accessing the legacy Control Panel. - The date and time format in the Taskbar's System Tray has been revised to omit the AM/PM designation and the four-digit year. - Taskbar navigation has been improved, allowing users to focus on applications using their initial letters. - Users can customize mouse scrolling direction via Settings without accessing the Registry. - Windows 11 now supports Wi-Fi 7, promising speeds exceeding 40 Gbps. - A network refresh button was added to the Quick Settings flyout for easier scanning of available wireless networks. - Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) enhances gaming visuals on Copilot+ PCs by upscaling images and improving frame rates. - Windows Studio effects enhance video and audio calls with AI-driven features, now available to all Copilot+ PC users. - The context menu in File Explorer has been updated to include labels for commonly used actions. - A new archive compression wizard allows users to create Zip, TAR, and 7zip files. - The "Link to Windows" feature enables browsing and transferring files from Android devices to Windows 11 computers without a USB connection. - The "Windows Setup" interface has been revamped with a cleaner design and simplified installation process. - A customizable Copilot key option allows users to remap this key to any application from the Microsoft Store.
6 best file compression tools for Windows PCs
Winsage
October 27, 2024

6 best file compression tools for Windows PCs

PeaZip compressed a 1.63GB collection of files to 1.50GB in just over a minute using LZMA2 compression. 7-Zip reduced the same files to 1.51GB in 1 minute and 9 seconds. WinRAR compressed files to 1.6GB in 38 seconds. Bandizip took 2 minutes and 18 seconds to compress the files to 1.51GB. 8 Zip compressed the files to 1.58GB in 1 minute and 58 seconds. The built-in Windows 11 version 24H2 compressor took 16 minutes and 25 seconds to create a 1.50GB .7z file.
Tiny11 now supports Windows 11 24H2 in a compact size that will fit on a standard single-layer DVD | Tom's Hardware
Winsage
October 15, 2024

Tiny11 now supports Windows 11 24H2 in a compact size that will fit on a standard single-layer DVD | Tom’s Hardware

NTDEV has introduced the Tiny11 ISO builder, which allows users to create a compact version of Windows 11 24H2 with an installation size of 3.54GB, thanks to LZX compression. This size is significantly smaller than the typical installation range of 20GB to 30GB, making it possible to fit on a standard DVD while leaving space for additional applications. Tiny11 is designed to optimize user experience by removing unnecessary services and applications, making it suitable for older or less capable hardware. NTDEV also provides a tutorial for users to customize their Windows 11 24H2 installation using Tiny11.
Windows 11 version 24H2 is basically Windows 12, and here's why
Winsage
October 11, 2024

Windows 11 version 24H2 is basically Windows 12, and here’s why

Windows 11 version 24H2 is a significant update that was initially speculated to be Windows 12 but was ultimately labeled as an update to Windows 11. Major Windows releases have historically occurred every three years, with the last major release being Windows 10 in 2015. Windows 11 was released in 2021, and speculation about Windows 12's debut in 2024 aligns with this three-year cycle. Version 24H2 is built on a new platform codenamed Germanium, introducing substantial performance enhancements, particularly for Arm devices. Although it is a free update, the visual appearance remains largely unchanged, and many new features may not significantly alter the user experience. While the update is accessible for existing devices, many exciting features will require new PCs with advanced processors. Microsoft has not ruled out the possibility of a distinct Windows 12 in the future, but the current strategy focuses on supporting existing users while encouraging hardware upgrades.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
October 2, 2024

Microsoft’s new Windows 11 update comes with energy use and Wi-Fi enhancements

Microsoft is initiating a significant update for Windows 11, known as the Windows 11 2024 Update or version 24H2, aimed at improving essential PC operations such as file downloads, document compression, and energy management. Windows contributes 9% to Microsoft's billion revenue for fiscal 2024, and the operating system is crucial for driving clients towards Azure cloud services. Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025, while Windows 11 has seen a 50% increase in active devices year over year since its 2021 launch. The version 24H2 update introduces several new features: - Enhanced Energy Controls for minimizing power consumption. - Advanced Hearing Aid Connectivity for Bluetooth LE Audio-compatible hearing aids. - Faster Internet Access with Wi-Fi 7 routers for higher data throughput. - Streamlined Wi-Fi Sharing using a QR code feature. - Rich Backgrounds with .JXR image files for HDR-capable displays. - Mobile File Management allowing access to mobile files via Bluetooth in File Explorer. - Compact Clock Display option in the System tray. - File Compression Options directly in File Explorer for formats like ZIP, 7z, or TAR. Users can access the new features through the Settings app under Windows Update, with a gradual rollout starting for devices running versions 22H2 and 23H2. Educational institutions and businesses can find guidance for deploying version 24H2 in a dedicated Microsoft blog post.
Microsoft Edge will borrow "a table of contents" from Google Chrome's playbook to declutter its settings and improve navigation in October 2024
Winsage
September 18, 2024

Microsoft Edge will borrow “a table of contents” from Google Chrome’s playbook to declutter its settings and improve navigation in October 2024

Microsoft is working to improve the user experience of its Edge browser by decluttering the Settings page, which users find overwhelming. The company plans to introduce a quick-access panel on the landing page for Edge Settings and reorganize the extensive list of options into subsections. Recent updates indicate that Microsoft is testing these changes, which include grouping options in the navigation bar similar to Google Chrome. The enhancements are expected to roll out in October 2024. Additionally, Microsoft will implement one-click shortcuts for common options and is testing a feature that shows suggestions when typing in the search box on the Settings page.
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