With a migration to WinAppSDK, File Explorer will soon include WinUI, new APIs, and other web content.

After a first teaser in the Windows Insider webcast two months ago, a first test version should soon be available. According to WindowsLatest, Microsoft is working on numerous upgrades to enrich Explorer with more information. Working on these parts:

• New header with modern address bar, search bar and home button
• Integration with Microsoft 365 to suggest files and provide more details
• More detailed navigation information on the left and more details about the file on the right
• New Gallery mode for better viewing of photos in File Explorer

Explorer can handle all the above innovations thanks to the migration to WinAppSDK. Allows File Explorer to handle WinUI, new APIs, and other features.

According to internal sources, the new update will be released this fall. The deeper web integration in particular offers numerous possibilities for developers.

First impression

The first screenshots are already available from WindowsLatest. We go through the most important parts.

under Home Windows 11 processes a link to Microsoft 365. Here are suggestions you’ve recently edited to get started faster with the right file.

File Explorer gets an improved details screen on the left, which is more touch-friendly and peppered with additional information thanks to a Microsoft 365 link. This includes emails, comments, tags and other details right in File Explorer.

when you are on gallery click below Homeyou will automatically see a series of photos from the photosBinder. As soon as you click on a photo, you will immediately see further information in the right-hand area.