File Explorer has a few new features, one of which is a jump list that lets you quickly access recent files. The list also includes a news feed that displays what Microsoft thinks you may be interested in. This feed is tied to your Interests, which you can control in Settings > Personalization.
Suggested Actions in File Explorer
In Windows 11 preview, you can copy dates, times, and phone numbers to get suggestions of related actions like creating a calendar event or making a phone call with an app. It’s a simple but useful feature that can make using Windows a lot easier.
Folder Details in File Explorer
Unlike previous versions of Windows, File Explorer shows you more details about files and folders than ever before. It provides a slick list view that shows you the file name and its icon, as well as the date it was last modified. You can also view more detailed information by clicking on the Details tab, which displays the contents of a folder in detail, including its size, description, and more.
Desktops in File Explorer
In Windows 11, File Explorer has a new feature called Desktops that helps you organize and manage multiple iterations of your desktop. You can use this feature to create separate windows for your most important tasks and manage the apps that run on each desktop.
The feature is particularly useful if you work in an office and often share files with others, as it will allow you to see what other people have done with the same file. You can even create a shared desktop that includes all the files you want to collaborate with others on.
Windows 11 will also show you a list of files and folders in the Start menu with recent activity, similar to the Jump List feature in previous versions of Windows. This can be a helpful way to access recently opened files, but it can be a privacy issue for some users as anyone who right-clicks on the Start button will be able to view your most recent activities.
Hide Recently Opened Files in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer
If you want to hide your recent files from appearing in the Start bar, jump lists, or File Explorer, you can change a setting in your Registry. The Registry allows you to change the default setting of your operating system.
Change the layout of File Explorer in Windows 11
The layout of File Explorer is different in Windows 11, so you will need to update your settings to reflect this change. To do this, you can use the three-dotted menu in the File Explorer Options, under Layout and view options.
You can also choose to show or hide protected active system files in the View tab. To do this, select the Show hidden files, folders, and drives option, and then uncheck the Hide protected operating system files box.
You can also change the look of Windows by selecting different themes for Windows. You can choose from a wide range of themes, such as dark, light, and classic.