14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently released the original Windows File Manager which debuted in Windows 3.0 as a UWP app in the Microsoft Store.
The company previously open-sourced the project in 2018, and now Microsoft is going a step further by making it available for all devices running Windows 10.
As the Microsoft Store listing reads, the UWP version of Windows File Manager can be installed on PC, mobile, Surface Hub, and HoloLens, though this is only partially true.
Because according to the official system requirements, you need to be running at least Windows 10 build 16299, which isn’t available on mobile devices, so listing phones as a supported platform doesn’t make much sense.
Of course, for many users running the original Windows File Manager doesn’t make much sense either, but for those who want to see how it all started, it’s quite a neat app.
Project maintained on GitHub
The program, which is maintained on GitHub here, can be downloaded and compiled by anyone on Windows 10, though it goes without saying that this isn’t really the easiest thing for beginners.
However, Microsoft says users can contribute with ideas and suggestions using the GitHub page.
“The Windows File Manager lives again and runs as a native x86 and x64 desktop app on all currently supported version of Windows, including Windows 10. I welcome your thoughts, comments and suggestions. I will not be changing the original_plus sources nor creating other branches for other purposes. You are welcome do that on your own,” the GitHub page reads.
As for the modern file manager in Windows 10, Microsoft isn’t planning any major changes on this front, despite the company saying at one point that it was developing a UWP version too. It remains to be seen if this update ever sees daylight, but for now, this retro version is all we get in the Microsoft Store.