Microsoft is modernizing even more parts of File Explorer on Windows 11

The File Explorer details pane is getting a face lift.

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What you need to know

Microsoft is rolling out new preview builds of Windows 11 this week that introduces yet another big update to the File Explorer app.Today’s Dev Channel build is 23451and features a new, modern details pane view that provides details on a file when the user single-clicks on an item within File Explorer.

The company has beenslowly but surely modernizing parts of the File Explorer appsinceWindows 11launched in 2021. It started with the header and context menus, and late last year, Microsoft finally added tabs for the first time. This year, Microsoft is working on a modern home and folder view, gallery page, and details pane. The new gallery and details pane are now in testing.

The modern details pane shows an overview of a selected file, including a preview of the item along the top, recent file activity such as shared status and recent comments, as well as related files and conversations, which is helpful if a file was sent to you in an email or shared via Teams.

In addition to the modern details pane in File Explorer, today’s Dev Channel build also includes other enhancements. There’s an updated Windows Spotlight view with different layouts that Microsoft is testing, a new Facebook widget for the Widgets Panel, and the Start menu will now also show recently viewed webpages in the recommended section.

Windows 11 build 23451 changelog

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Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads