The Files app continues to outpace Microsoft in the realm of file management, introducing features that enhance user experience and streamline workflows. With its latest update, the app has ingeniously incorporated a method for calculating folder sizes, a functionality that was previously absent in Windows 11’s File Explorer. This new feature allows users to view folder sizes on demand, ensuring that system resources are preserved while still providing essential information.
Calculate folder size on demand
In the latest iteration, version 4.1.3, users can toggle the Calculate folder sizes option in Settings. When disabled, a new View size button appears in the Size column, allowing users to calculate the size of a folder with a simple click, thus enhancing usability without compromising performance.
Retain selection across layouts
Another thoughtful enhancement is the ability to retain selection across different layouts. Users can now switch between layouts without losing their place, as the previously selected item remains highlighted, making navigation more intuitive.
Additionally, the app has introduced a streamlined method for clearing tags from files. Users can choose from several convenient options:
- From the context menu — right-click an item, navigate to the Tags submenu, and select Remove tags.
- From the toolbar — if the Edit Tags button is pinned, the option appears in its menu.
- From the Command Palette — simply search for Remove tags and assign a custom keyboard shortcut from Settings if desired.
For those who have not yet pinned the Edit Tags button to the toolbar, it can be easily added by following these steps:
- Right-click the toolbar and select Customize toolbar.
- Expand the File System group on the left.
- Drag Edit Tags… into the list of added toolbar items.
Updated OneDrive icon
The update also includes a refreshed OneDrive icon, which now loads directly from the OneDrive executable, ensuring it always reflects the current branding used by OneDrive itself.
Fixes
- Resolved an issue with extracting tar archives.
- Fixed a crash that occasionally occurred on the Signatures page.
- Addressed an issue where the Play action was unavailable for single media file selections.
- Corrected a problem where Smart Extract would misplace archives during tab switches.
- Fixed tag search exclusions for folders when grouping by type.
- Resolved thumbnail refresh issues after file modifications.
- Corrected the display of BitLocker locked drives.
Why doesn’t File Explorer show folder sizes?
Users may notice that File Explorer leaves the size column blank for folders. This is due to the need for Windows to conduct a recursive scan, summing the sizes of all files within a folder. While this process can be quick for individual folders, it can lead to performance issues when applied to multiple folders simultaneously. In contrast, Files adopts a more user-friendly approach, allowing users to view folder sizes through a prompt, thus providing a clever and efficient solution.
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