file management Archives

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Microsoft Recall finally launches for AI PC users, along with some other new features, almost one year after Copilot+ was announced

Microsoft has reintroduced its Recall feature, initially designed for Qualcomm Snapdragon X-powered laptops, which captures snapshots of users' desktops to help locate old documents, images, and web pages. Enhanced security measures have been implemented, including Windows Hello sign-in, data encryption, and isolation protocols, with all data processed locally on users' devices. Recall is an opt-in feature that can be removed. Additionally, Microsoft has introduced an AI-powered Windows search mechanism that allows users to search for files by description. These features are currently exclusive to devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors, with support for AMD Ryzen AI 300 series and Intel Core Ultra 200V series chips expected later this year. Users without compatible hardware must rely on traditional file management methods.

Winsage

April 28, 2025

I use this app instead of File Explorer for managing my Windows folders

Windows 11's File Explorer is a familiar tool for file management, but alternatives like Directory Opus offer enhanced functionality. Directory Opus, originally developed for the Amiga platform, is a robust file organization tool for Windows. Key features include: - Dual Pane View: Allows simultaneous viewing of files and folders from different locations, facilitating efficient organization. - In-depth Organizational Features: Users can open multiple tabs within each pane, assign statuses to folders, and prioritize tasks. - Built-in Image Converter: Enables conversion of images to various formats and basic editing functions like cropping and rotating. - Synchronization Feature: Allows easy copying and synchronization between panes, with options for sub-folders and integration with cloud services. - Shortcuts to Favorite Apps: Users can create toolbars with shortcuts to frequently used applications for quick access. Directory Opus is designed to exceed file management needs, making it a compelling alternative to File Explorer.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

5 features I wish were enabled by default on Windows 11

Microsoft Windows 11 includes several features that are not enabled by default, which can hinder user experience: 1. System Restore: Allows users to create restore points for system recovery but is not enabled by default due to disk space concerns. 2. End Task Feature: Enables users to right-click on unresponsive apps in the taskbar to force quit them, but requires activation through Settings. 3. File Extension View in File Explorer: Users must manually enable the display of file extensions for better file management. 4. Hibernate Mode: A power-saving option that saves the system state to the hard drive, not readily accessible in power settings and requires enabling through Control Panel or command line. 5. Start Menu on the Left: The Start menu is centered by default, but users can adjust it to the left through Settings, which some long-time users prefer.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

5 great features Windows 8 introduced that it doesn’t get enough credit for

Windows 8 introduced several significant features: 1. The Startup tab in Task Manager simplified managing startup tasks, allowing users to easily view and disable unnecessary applications, improving system performance. 2. The Ribbon UI in File Explorer made a wide range of options accessible, enhancing efficiency in file management tasks like copying, moving, and deleting files. 3. Internet Explorer 10 and 11 improved support for modern web standards and performance, making them competitive options, especially for touch devices. 4. OneDrive integration allowed users to view cloud files directly in File Explorer without downloading them, enhancing convenience and efficiency. 5. Windows 8 provided an intuitive touch experience with a tile-based Start menu and smooth animations, offering a fluid and responsive environment for tablet users.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

If your Oblivion Remastered save files are mysteriously disappearing or not syncing between devices, don’t worry: It’s not your fault, they’re just getting sent to the wrong place

Owning a Steam Deck allows gamers to play titles on the go, but players have reported issues with save files for Oblivion Remastered disappearing. Bethesda is investigating the problem, which stems from the game storing save files in C:Users[yourusername]DocumentsMy Games instead of alongside other titles. Some users have found success with syncing, while others face challenges that require manual file transfers or disabling OneDrive. The game is Steam Deck verified and claims to be cloud save compatible, but many players are frustrated with the current save file management.

Winsage

April 25, 2025

My favorite File Explorer replacement just got better

Files has released an update to version 3.9.7, enhancing its functionality and introducing new customization features. Key improvements include a revamped Release Notes dialog that opens automatically after updates, customizable file size units, automatic encoding detection for ZIP file extraction, and UTF-8 encoding as the default for creating ZIP archives. The app is recognized for introducing features ahead of Windows File Explorer, such as tabs and unique functionalities like diverse view modes, sorting options, and tagging capabilities.

Winsage

April 24, 2025

7 things I learned while making the perfect, productivity-focused desktop environment on Windows

Windows 11 has challenges for users seeking a productivity-centric desktop experience, prompting many to seek alternatives and customization utilities. Key elements for enhancing productivity include effective file management, quick access to applications, and tools to streamline workflow. For file management, users can benefit from dual-pane file manager alternatives like XYplorer, File Pilot, Files, and Total Commander, which improve efficiency beyond the default File Explorer. Customizing the Start Menu by relocating it to the left and using tools like StartAllBack, Start11, and Windhawk can enhance productivity. Pinning frequently used apps to the taskbar allows for quick access and utilizes jump lists for recent documents. Disabling the News & Interests widget can reduce distractions, and many users choose to remove Microsoft's Copilot due to unmet expectations. For desktop customization, tools like StartAllBack, Windhawk, Rainmeter, and PowerToys can improve both appearance and functionality. PowerToys offers over 20 utilities, including FancyZones for window management and PowerToys Run for quick application access, making it essential for optimizing workflow. Overall, effective file management, application accessibility, and thoughtful customization are crucial for enhancing productivity on Windows 11.

Winsage

April 24, 2025

I use these 5 File Explorer add-ons to make my life a lot easier on Windows 11

Windows 11's File Explorer can be enhanced with third-party add-ons to improve user experience and productivity. 1. TeraCopy: A tool for transferring large files and folders efficiently, queuing jobs, adjusting block sizes, and skipping problematic files. It has a free version and a paid option for enhanced features. 2. Peek: Part of the PowerToys suite, it allows users to preview images or documents without fully opening them by pressing Ctrl + Space. 3. DropIt: Integrates with File Explorer to automate file organization by setting rules for files dropped onto its icon, allowing actions like sorting, renaming, or compressing. 4. Image Resizer: An add-on from PowerToys that adds a "Resize with Image Resizer" option to the right-click menu, enabling bulk resizing of images with customizable options. 5. PowerRename: Also from PowerToys, it simplifies bulk renaming of files through advanced features in the right-click menu, allowing users to delete words, concatenate names, or replace text across multiple files.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

XYplorer is the best dual-pane file manager that I’ve used on Windows

XYplorer is a dual-pane file manager that enhances productivity with its intuitive interface and robust features, allowing simultaneous access to two folders for easier file management. It offers customization options, advanced search capabilities, file previews, batch renaming, and scripting automation. XYplorer is lightweight, providing faster performance and quicker search results compared to Windows File Explorer. It also has a portable version that can run from a flash drive without installation. XYplorer operates as trialware for 30 days, after which users can purchase a license.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

Don’t delete inetpub folder. It’s a Windows security fix

A new folder, typically located at C:inetpub, appears on Windows systems after installing the April Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 10 and 11. This folder is created as a security measure related to the vulnerability CVE-2025-21204, which could allow unauthorized access to system-level file management. Microsoft advises users to leave this folder untouched, as it is established with read-only SYSTEM-level access to prevent privilege escalation exploits. The folder will be created even if Internet Information Services (IIS) is not installed, and there are currently no known exploits for CVE-2025-21204. If the folder is deleted, it can be recreated by enabling IIS in the Windows features settings. Users can also manually create the folder with the appropriate permissions if desired.