File Explorer feels outdated again after this Files update

Files 4.0 app promotional images on an ASUS Zenbook laptop screen. — A new Files update highlights another gap in File Explorer. Microsoft should copy it. (Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)

Windows 11’s File Explorer is getting faster and more reliable, but it's still missing one of the simplest upgrades Microsoft could ship: a customizable toolbar. The latest preview of the third‑party app Files adds that option, and it immediately makes File Explorer feel behind.

Files 4.0.39 lets you add, remove, and reorder toolbar actions so the app fits your workflow. It cuts down on clutter and makes common tasks quicker. You can also choose which buttons show text labels, which helps if you can’t remember which icon represents copy, paste, or anything else Windows hides behind small icons.

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View the full changelog ↴

Files v4.0.39: What's New

You can now personalize the toolbar to better fit your workflow. A new toolbar customization window lets you choose from all available actions and add or remove buttons as you see fit. You can also set which buttons display labels for easier identification.

We also added an Edit Tags button that can be added directly to the toolbar for quickly editing a files tags.

Keyboard shortcuts for changing the app theme

It’s now possible to assign custom keyboard shortcuts to change the app theme. You can also toggle between light and dark mode using the Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut.

Media duration in tooltips

Tooltips for media files now display the duration of the video or audio. We’ve also improved the overall responsiveness of tooltips in the Grid Layout.

Multiline comment in Properties Window

The Comment field in the Properties window’s Details page now supports multiple lines of text. You can enter multiline comments using Shift+Enter, and the full content will be correctly saved and displayed when you reopen the Properties window.

Fixes

Fixed an issue where PowerToys Peek was not detected when installed in a custom path.
Fixed an issue with the Preview Pane.

I’ve followed Files for years and spoken with its developer many times. The app keeps pushing what a modern file manager should be. It had tabs before Microsoft added them to Windows 11. It has a column view, a proper preview pane, and a customizable interface that feels like it should be part of Windows already.

Performance varies depending on your hardware. Some people prefer to stick with the built‑in File Explorer. Even so, Files is worth watching because it often ships features long before Microsoft does. For example, it had tabs before Microsoft revamped File Explorer in Windows 11.

Toolbar customization is another example. Microsoft should copy it. Until that happens, Files is the best way to get it.

You can pay for the app through the Microsoft Store to support the developer or grab Files for free through GitHub (you can also sponsor the developer through GitHub if you prefer).

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Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.

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