This third‑party Windows 11 app just fixed one of its most annoying design problems — because someone had to step in and do it

It's been close to 5 years since Microsoft shipped Windows 11, but it took a little while for the operating system to actually gain some real traction and broad adoption, famously following Microsoft's unpopular decision to pull the plug on Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.

Some of the best-known impediments preventing users from upgrading to Windows 11 include flawed design elements coupled with stringent hardware requirements. As a result, there has been an influx of third-party apps emerging, designed to improve the operating system's user experience, including the 'Files' app as an alternative to Windows 11's Files Explorer.

As it happens, Files recently got a new update, bumping it to version 4.0.28. The update ships with an updated right-click context menu and several fixes (via Neowin).

The new update makes the properties option a primary action across the sidebar and home page context menus, enhancing consistency across the app. Additionally, users can now disable the “Pin to Start” and “Pin to Sidebar” context menu items under Settings>General>Context Menu Options.

Here's everything you need to know about the update, including new features and fixes:

The Files app's development has also indicated that it is "actively working on performance improvements to make thumbnails load faster."

In January, Microsoft promised to improve the general sentiment around Windows 11, highlighting its plans to address major pain points across the operating system, including reevaluating its AI strategy.

Last year, Microsoft pulled the plug on the rollout of an upcoming new feature for the File Explorer on Windows 11, which promoted "recommended" files in large thumbnails at the top of the File Explorer Home tab. It will be interesting to see the plans the tech giant has under its sleeves for the File Explorer app in Windows 11 this year.

Still, the File Explorer app remains one of the most important parts of the Windows operating system, which you probably spend a huge chunk of your time on (presumably second only to your browser).

Files App | $8.99 at Microsoft Store

This third-party file explorer has many features people have requested for years from the built-in File Explorer on Windows. It has tabs, a column view, a file preview, and a customizable interface.

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