Microsoft expands the availability of File Explorer tabs

Aug 11, 2022 13:27 GMT  ·  By

Let’s be honest about it, the support for tabs in File Explorer is one of the biggest updates for the file manager in a very long time.

This feature has long been a top request, especially on the modern versions of Windows, and Microsoft’s first attempt to respond to user feedback took place in 2018 with the introduction of Sets.

Powered by Microsoft Edge, Sets was essentially a concept that brought tabs all over the operating system, not just in Windows. However, this approach was eventually abandoned, with Microsoft promising to explore the ways to introduce tabs in File Explorer at a later time.

Earlier this year, Microsoft brought tabs in File Explorer as part of the Windows Insider program, but given this is such a major update, the company is obviously taking its time to make sure everything is working exactly as expected.

Now available for all Dev insiders

File Explorer tabs have therefore been rolling out exclusively to the Dev channel, with Microsoft sticking with a gradual release. In other words, only some users have actually been provided with access to tabs, with everybody else told to wait until more feedback is collected from the first testers.

The release of Windows 11 build 25179 marks another milestone in this rollout, with Microsoft explaining that all users in the Dev channel can now try out the File Explorer tabs.

“File Explorer tabs and navigation updates (which began rolling out to the Dev Channel with Build 25136) are now rolling out to everyone in the Dev Channel. If you don’t see these features right away, please try rebooting. If that doesn’t work, please file feedback in Feedback Hub,” Microsoft explains in the changelog of this latest build.

Nevertheless, there’s no ETA as to when the tabs could go live for all users, as features in the Dev channel don’t have a specific release date.