In the evolving landscape of operating systems, Microsoft finds itself in a competitive race with Apple, particularly concerning the performance of Windows 11. Recent evaluations have highlighted significant performance gaps, prompting Microsoft to address these concerns head-on. While the company is actively working on enhancements, it occasionally faces challenges in managing user expectations regarding its native applications.
Enhancements in Third-Party Applications
For those Windows aficionados disillusioned by the limitations of built-in applications like File Explorer or Task Manager, third-party alternatives have become a beacon of hope. One such application, Files, has recently undergone a substantial update, introducing a suite of performance improvements that users are likely to appreciate.
This update focuses on critical areas such as file extraction and folder loading—two functionalities where Windows 11 has historically struggled. Users will notice a refined user experience, characterized by updated sidebar icons, enhanced prompts and messages, and improved management of encrypted archives. As always, a plethora of bug fixes accompanies these enhancements.
A standout feature of this release is the integration of WindowSill into Files. For those unfamiliar, WindowSill is a novel utility designed to add a context-aware command bar to the desktop environment. This innovative tool allows users to perform various tasks—ranging from image conversion to PDF editing—directly from their file selections, eliminating the need to open dedicated applications.
I just released a big new, FREE feature for WindowSill, the universal toolbar for Windows 11. 🚀WindowSill will now react to your selected files in File Explorer and Files App, and you will be able to perform a ton of actions on files without having to open them, such as:✅… pic.twitter.com/ZiZ0L9ywa4
— Etienne Baudoux | Software Engineer @Microsoft (@VelerSoftware) August 1, 2026
With the latest update, this functionality is now seamlessly integrated into the Files application. According to Etienne Baudoux, a Windows engineer and former Visual Studio developer, this integration is automatic, requiring no additional configuration from users. Once both applications are installed, selecting a file within Files will reveal the same contextual actions previously exclusive to Windows File Explorer. This feature has also been extended to Directory Opus, another favored file manager among power users.
The advantages of this integration vary depending on the file type selected. For instance, images can be resized, compressed, converted, or even merged into a PDF. PDF files benefit from quick access to actions such as merging, splitting, password protection, and page extraction. Videos can be compressed or converted without the need for a separate editor, while Office documents can transition between supported formats with ease.
Furthermore, instead of merely opening a ZIP file, WindowSill can display relevant actions for compressed archives, complementing the performance improvements in file extraction that Files has introduced. Given that archive handling has been a persistent weakness in Windows 11, this combination is particularly beneficial for users who frequently engage with compressed files.
Interestingly, the integration operates differently across file managers. While WindowSill utilizes native COM APIs to communicate with Windows File Explorer, its support for Files relies on Windows’ Accessibility API to detect file selections in real time. For those interested in using WindowSill as a standalone application with the native File Explorer, that option remains available.
Here’s a glimpse of the full changelog for the latest Files update:
- Updated sidebar icons
- Auto size columns to fit
- Improved behavior when opening encrypted archives
- Enhanced messaging for Git pull failures
- Inline ‘folder not found’ notifications
- Prompt notifications for compression failures
- Remember the last used folder in the background image picker
- Improved folder loading performance
- Enhanced compression and extraction performance
Additionally, the update addresses several bugs:
- Resolved an issue where the Customize tab appeared in Properties for unsupported folders.
- Fixed the Git repository status update issue.
- Corrected problems with opening archives from network locations.
- Addressed folder size calculation issues in network share listings.
- Fixed the duplication of drives on the Home page after changing drive letters.
- Resolved the failure status not being reported when copying or moving non-existent items.
- Fixed reading
.gzarchives lacking original file names. - Corrected the lack of warning when moving an open file.
- Addressed inappropriate display of the “This app can’t run on your PC” dialog.
- Fixed issues enabling folder-related actions for archives.
- Resolved the issue where Windows Terminal wouldn’t open from Files.
- Fixed the incorrect grouping of extracted files.
- Resolved the missing Give access menu option.
- Fixed the lack of error display when opening a corrupted executable.
- Addressed the Properties window sometimes opening in the background.
- Fixed the focus-switching issue when clicking a selected file.
- Resolved the issue where search continued running after navigating away or closing a tab.
The latest version of Files, 4.2.2, is now available for download on its official GitHub repository and from the Microsoft Store. For further details, users can refer to the announcement post.
