14 DAY TRIAL // Tab support in File Explorer has long been one of the most requested Windows features, but after the demise of Sets a long time ago, Microsoft has shown little to no intention of making it happen.
But as it turns out, the most recent version of Windows 11 shipped to insiders in the Dev channel actually includes support for tabs in File Explorer – however, the feature isn’t enabled by default, possibly because the work on it is still in the early phases.
At first glance, the UI of File Explorer remains the same as before, so the only big change is the introduction of tabs at the top of the screen.
Microsoft has remained completely tight-lipped on the new tabs coming to File Explorer, so at this point, it’s not exactly clear when the company plans to release the feature for everybody out there.
If anything, there’s a chance this feature would show up for insiders in an upcoming preview build before the rollout to production devices starts in update 22H2 due later this year.
The death of Sets
Microsoft previously tried to bring tabs not only to File Explorer but to all apps running on Windows 10 with a feature called Sets and based on Microsoft Edge.
The idea was eventually abandoned, but Microsoft promised it would continue the work on bringing tabs to the native file manager on Windows.
“Thank you for your continued support of testing Sets. We continue to receive valuable feedback from you as we develop this feature helping to ensure we deliver the best possible experience once it’s ready for release. Starting with this build, we’re taking Sets offline to continue making it great. Based on your feedback, some of the things we’re focusing on include improvements to the visual design and continuing to better integrate Office and Microsoft Edge into Sets to enhance workflow. If you have been testing Sets, you will no longer see it as of today’s build, however, Sets will return in a future WIP flight. Thanks again for your feedback,” the company said back in 2018.