Windows 11: New preview brings long-overdue File Explorer change

The current preview version of Windows 11 brings new functions for everyday life. In addition to expanded touchpad gestures, File Explorer is getting long-awaited adjustments to the display of file sizes and the resolution of certain paths.

Improved touchpad controls

A good week after the last preview, Microsoft is now releasing further updates for Windows 11 as part of its Insider program. The current build 26300.8376 for the experimental channel brings targeted improvements for navigation in the operating system. This time the focus is on expanded setting options for touchpads and a revised display in the file explorer. Operation via the touchpad has been significantly expanded. Users receive new gestures that are intended to make everyday work easier. Four new functions are now available to testers:

• Scroll speed: The speed of scrolling and zoom gestures can be adjusted manually.
• Automatic scrolling: Holding your fingers on the edge continues scrolling endlessly.
• Acceleration: Repeated swiping gestures increase the speed when searching long documents.
• One-finger scrolling: One finger is enough for vertical scrolling on the left or right edge.

File sizes finally displayed sensibly

Like Microsoft in the Patch notes As far as the new features are concerned, the update fixes a well-known problem with the display of file sizes. Previously, the system also displayed large files in kilobytes in the detailed view of the file explorer. In the future, the operating system will automatically use appropriate units such as megabytes or gigabytes. Additionally, File Explorer’s address bar now correctly handles paths with double backslashes. Further adjustments concern voice input. Developers are removing the previous full-screen overlay and integrating the animations for dictation directly into the corresponding key on the on-screen keyboard. Reducing the overlay reduces visual distractions. The developers are also improving the font display for various Asian languages.

Insider conversion

Whether and when all functions reach the regular version of Windows 11 depends on the results of the current test phase. Such preview versions are primarily used to collect user feedback before the final rollout. Since Microsoft is currently restructuring its Insider program, users should also pay attention to which of the new channels they are in. The Experimental channel is roughly the same as the former Dev channel. The functions will also be rolled out in stages here.