14 DAY TRIAL // The latest version of Windows 10X, which pretty much anyone can try no matter if they’re part of the Windows Insider program or not, comes with a brand-new File Explorer version.
Microsoft has been working on a modern version of File Explorer for quite some time now, and Windows 10X is apparently the one that will introduce it. At this point, it’s not known if Microsoft wants this file manager to make its way to the full Windows 10 or not.
The new File Explorer version currently comes with a beta tag in Windows 10X and is still in its early days, so it often feels slow when working with cloud files. And I’m saying cloud files because it lacks support for local files, but this is presumably one of the features that Microsoft is already working on.
So right now, the new file manager is more or less a OneDrive client, as it can only display files stored in the cloud after you log in with your Microsoft account.
It goes without saying that this application is specifically optimized for the touch. Since it’s developed to run on Windows 10X, an operating system aimed at dual-screen and foldable devices, it certainly makes sense to come with this modern approach, so if it ever makes its way to the desktop, Microsoft needs to make sure that working with a mouse and keyboard is flawless.
As said, the current version only includes OneDrive support and features sync capabilities as well, which will allow you to sync one specific location on the device with your cloud account.
The application features both light and dark modes, thus aligning with the rest of the operating system – there are no dedicated settings for the visual style that it uses, but it automatically changes the theme accordingly when you toggle from light to dark and the other way around in Windows.
There’s not much you can configure about it at this point, as the settings screen is rather basic and only allows you to send feedback, configure your account, and activate an option to get early access to the latest pre-release Microsoft only builds.
Microsoft says in the settings screen this is OneDrive client version 20.037.0219.0002 and File Explorer UI 1.43.12, so the app is more of a mix between the cloud client and the file manager.
For the time being, however, it’s very clear the new File Explorer is still a work-in-progress and Microsoft added it to the latest Windows 10X for the sole purpose of letting you try it out and nothing more. Of course, you can’t use it for file management just yet, but Windows 10X isn’t supposed to be your daily driver anyway, so the app being offered for testing is the correct approach.
Windows 10X will power Microsoft’s new Surface Neo, a device that was originally projected to launch in the holiday season of this year. However, people familiar with Microsoft’s plans recently said that this schedule could change, as the Surface Neo and Windows 10X might actually see daylight in the summer. This is because Windows 10X is reportedly close to the final development stage, so there’s a chance that what we have here isn’t necessarily the newest build that Microsoft compiled.
In the meantime, the best you can do is try it out and send feedback to Microsoft, as the software giant can then further refine the experience with the app ahead of the launch for production devices across the world.
