Touch friendly File Explorer (formerly Windows Explorer)

By Mockingbird
in The Fast Ring (Insider Previews)

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Grand Master

Mockingbird

Posted
Posted

Shouldn't Microsoft be making File Explorer more touch friendly at least in tablet mode?

 

Microsoft doesn't need to make a modern File Explorer, all it need to do is make file explorer bigger (ie. wider) in tablet mode.

 

This is not touch friendly:

(I do realize that this is from Windows 8, but not that much has changed)

 

Windows-8-File-Explorer.png

  • WinMacLin Guy
  • Like 1
Experienced

WinMacLin Guy

Posted
Posted

I agree this needs to be done. Personally, I find that it is a pain to use File Explorer on my Surface without the type cover; and I have an even more difficult time doing file management on a device like the Dell Venue 8 Pro (and this will probably apply to other devices with a small screen). This is not even taking to account other issues with the File Manager (overtly complicated UI [they need someway to clean it up yet keep it functional], the broken and outdated preview system.

 

One thing about Windows 10 and the entire idea of Windows as a service idea is that new features will be added once the OS has been released, so even if it does not come instantly at launch I believe that it will come eventually. In fact, I believe MS is already working on this, because Windows Phone 10 Technical Preview has a new universal WinRT based File Manager, and while that application has too little functionality at this point to replace the existing feature-rich Win32 file manager on the desktop, it could be the basis for an eventual replacement to the File Manager (once more features are added and it has become optimized for desktops and tablet devices). However, rewriting the Windows File Manager as a WinRT application and making it the default system to browse files is no small task because the existing File Manager is so deeply integrated into the operating system and both first-party and third-party applications that they probably will not be able to remove it all at one go, but rather they will have to eventually migrate off of it (this is the same with the Control Panel [which I believe is actually part of the File Manager, aka Explorer], Windows Media Player, and many other apps).

  • Mockingbird
  • Like 1
Veteran

deck

Posted
Posted

I think File Explorer can really be improved and can meld a touch-mouse interface.  Some of those unofficial mock-ups looked great and achieve the functionality we need (well, at a glance).  

 

The equivalent on Yosemite (and previous versions of Mac OS) is extremely functional and, while not designed for touch, has  more intuitive design for that interface method. 

Veteran

link6155

Posted
Posted

OneDrive app on Windows 8.1 can manage both OneDrive and local files. 

 

For now, there's plenty of 3rd party solutions on the Windows Store, my favorite being Files&Folders

Proficient

Obry

Posted
Posted

I don't understand why they don't implement the Office 2013 Touch Mode toggle in the rest of the desktop apps like File Explorer and be done with it. If you're using mouse turn it off if you like, if you're using touch then turn it on - yes it's a bit of manual labor but it works...

Veteran

deck

Posted
Posted

I don't understand why they don't implement the Office 2013 Touch Mode toggle in the rest of the desktop apps like File Explorer and be done with it. If you're using mouse turn it off if you like, if you're using touch then turn it on - yes it's a bit of manual labor but it works...

 

Continuum will cover that.  But they need to make Explorer as useful via touch as it is via mouse.

Enthusiast

JakeB

Posted
Posted

I don't understand why they don't implement the Office 2013 Touch Mode toggle in the rest of the desktop apps like File Explorer and be done with it. If you're using mouse turn it off if you like, if you're using touch then turn it on - yes it's a bit of manual labor but it works...

Well remember most of the touch stuff is with Metro apps. Also Office using touch versus Explorer is explorer is part of the OS and Office is an installed application. But they are working on it in the Technical Preview.

 

http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-10-microsoft-promises-updated-file-explorer-user-experience-ux

Grand Master

Orange Battery

Posted
Posted

I think there should be a whole load more detailed and options for Explorer in desktop mode (perhaps using an expert option). In the end, something is going to come along that offers either basic mode for touch and casual users and then a detailed mode for those using a mouse. Microsoft should do it first and not have to catch up once again in its own previously dominated back yard.

Grand Master

Dot Matrix

Posted
Posted

Please don't give them more ideas, lest we receive a Universal'd File Explorer in the same vein as Calculator.

There is nothing wrong with Calc. It's time for change, and Explorer needs upgraded. It sticks out like a sore thumb on Windows 8, and is even worse on Windows 10. There's a lot of push for a new Explorer, and Windows 10 is the time to release one.

 

 

I've created my own concept that I submitted for feedback:

Explorer_Dark.png?psid=1

  • Mockingbird
  • Like 1
Grand Master

Dot Matrix

Posted
Posted

I am genuinely worried that Microsoft has already shown most of its card on January 21st and there's no redesigned File Explorer (Windows Explorer) coming.

 

They're not even close to being done yet.

Grand Master

nekrosoft13

Posted
Posted

Please don't give them more ideas, lest we receive a Universal'd File Explorer in the same vein as Calculator.

 

yeah, don't give them idea to screw up windows even more.

There is nothing wrong with Calc. It's time for change, and Explorer needs upgraded. It sticks out like a sore thumb on Windows 8, and is even worse on Windows 10. There's a lot of push for a new Explorer, and Windows 10 is the time to release one.

 

 

I've created my own concept that I submitted for feedback:

 

Yes there is, has less features, more cumbersome and looks like crap. don't fix what isn't broken.

  • etacarinae and +Random Stranger
  • Like 2
Grand Master

Dot Matrix

Posted
Posted

yeah, don't give them idea to screw up windows even more.

Yes there is, has less features, more cumbersome and looks like crap. don't fix what isn't broken.

Great, so by your definition, the old calc was broken. Windows 10 is a responsive OS, and a responsive application it was not. Same goes for Explorer.

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

Great, so by your definition, the old calc was broken. Windows 10 is a responsive OS, and a responsive application it was not. Same goes for Explorer.

 

What I don't want is the desktop to be overhauled to work with a tablet.  Lets make everything bigger so I can press it with my finger. The mouse and keyboard are out dated /s. While I do have that 7 inch HP tablet and as nice as it would be to be able to use the desktop better with my finger, I do 99% of my productivity on my Desktops and I like Windows just the way it is.

 

I have a hard time getting anything useful done with a tablet, excluding the surface with a keyboard, just give me a good old fashion laptop or desktop with a keyboard.

 

I can do in 2 mins that would have taken me 5 -10 mins on a tablet and not near the frustration.

 

If you remove the number of tablets that have physical keyboards, that leave ALOT if not most of them that do not, and man typing on a virtual keyboard is not much fun at all.

  • Jim K and etacarinae
  • Like 2
Grand Master

Dot Matrix

Posted
Posted

What I don't want is the desktop to be overhauled to work with a tablet.  Lets make everything bigger so I can press it with my finger. The mouse and keyboard are out dated /s. While I do have that 7 inch HP tablet and as nice as it would be to be able to use the desktop better with my finger, I do 99% of my productivity on my Desktops and I like Windows just the way it is.

 

I have a hard time getting anything useful done with a tablet. excluding the surface with a keyboard, just give me a good old fashion laptop or desktop with a keyboard.

 

I can do in 2 mins that would have taken me 5 -10 mins on a tablet and not near the frustration.

 

If you remove the number of tablets that have physical keyboards, that leave ALOT of them that do not, and man is typing on a virtual keyboard not much fun at all.

Cool. 99% of the world disagrees.

Grand Master

Jim K Global Moderator

Posted
  • Global Moderator
Posted

Great, so by your definition, the old calc was broken. Windows 10 is a responsive OS, and a responsive application it was not. Same goes for Explorer.

 

This is rich.  How was the old calculator broken by warwagon's definition of "Yes there is, has less features, more cumbersome and looks like crap"?

 

Technically, the new calculator has less features (doesn

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