- Unified address bar with search and palette commands.
- Improved dual panel: Ctrl+Shift+S shortcut and separate filters.
- Properties with hash comparison and signature verification.
- Greater cloud integration and improved interface and stability.
If you use Windows Every day, you'll find that File Explorer falls short on several fronts. Many users have been asking for improvements that never arrive, and that's why more and more people are trying third-party alternatives. In this scenario, Files has carved out a niche for itself with a modern approach, more comfortable and with details that make the difference compared to the native tool.
The app isn't new: it's been evolving for nearly seven years and is now getting a powerful update. We're talking about Files 4.0, a major version with significant changes in usability, stability, and performance, and also incorporating specific new features in its address bar, dual panel, Properties window, and cloud integration, among other visual and productivity tweaks.
What is Files and why so many users prefer it
Files is a file manager for Windows 11 and Windows 10 which effectively replaces the classic Explorer experience with a cleaner, more polished interface. The app adopts Fluent Design to offer a more organized, clean and visual view, and makes it easier to access folders and destinations without losing the usual functions.
One of its strong points is navigation through tabs on top, ideal for working with multiple locations at the same time. This way you avoid windows everywhere and reduce the chaos when managing documents, downloads or photos. This approach, combined with other shortcuts and panels, tangibly improves daily workflow.
Additionally, you can pin directories to a customizable side panel And, if you like, change their color to spot them at a glance. This subtle customization helps you locate content faster, especially if you organize your PC by project or client.
For those who classify a lot, Files integrates tags and ZIP extraction without having to use external tools. And if you're one of those who empty the trash frequently, you can delete items in a permanently without going through the recycling bin, an option that streamlines recurring tasks (with the necessary care on your part, of course).
Key new features in Files 4.0
Version 4.0 is not a minor tweak: its main objective is to improve stability and reduce unexpected shutdownsThis effort to fine-tune the base is accompanied by internal optimizations, bug fixes and, as an aesthetic detail, a new icon that you will see reflected in the system.
Beyond performance, Files 4.0 brings profound functional changes. The most visible improvement focuses on the address bar, which has now been redesigned to unify multiple controls for greater agility during daily use, especially when jumping between routes and searching for files.
Unified address bar: path, search, and command palette
Until now, the application separated the route and the search engine. With Files 4.0 comes a new control that combines the path bar and the search box in one place. This integration eliminates unnecessary clicks and allows you to flow between browsing a folder and locating specific files without changing focus.
Furthermore, the command palette The app's menu is integrated directly into this address bar. In practice, this means having direct access to contextual actions and shortcuts right where you're interacting with the path, which is especially useful if you're working with repetitive operations or batches of files.
More powerful dual panel: separate shortcuts, filters, and search
The explorer's dual panel has also received some love. You now have a New keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + S, designed to speed up management across two panels and move content from one side to the other with less friction.
To fine-tune preferences, Files 4.0 incorporates a specific configuration section for the dual panelThis way, you can fine-tune its behavior to your liking and, at the same time, gain consistency when switching between manual sorting or synchronization tasks.
Another very practical novelty is the separation of the using filters and searching into separate controls, each with its own button. This avoids confusion, allows you to filter by specific criteria, and simultaneously run searches without one function overriding the other.
Properties: Hash Comparison and Signature Verification
The Properties window adds two features that advanced users will appreciate. On the one hand, you can compare file hashes to confirm integrity, which is useful if you validate downloads or syncs.
On the other hand, it is now possible check signatures and verify authenticity from Properties. This extra step provides peace of mind when managing executables or documents where provenance and integrity are critical.
Developers: Remap “Open IDE” and Workflow
If you program, Files 4.0 lets you reassign the command Open IDE to any editor. The setting is made from Settings / Developer Tools and opens the door to integrating your preferred environment with the browser, speeding up tasks such as jumping from the installation folder al editor or IDE with one click.
Cloud and OneDrive: more services and better integration
Another front where Files takes steps is that of storage in the cloudThe app expands the options for direct access to cloud services, making it easier to work with remote files without leaving the browser.
In Windows 11, additionally, OneDrive appears in the Properties windowThis detail makes the status and relationship of the files synchronized with the Microsoft service more visible, making them easier to reference during your routine.
Interface and column view: automatic adjustments and precision
The column view has been polished so that the width is automatically adjust to file namesThis behavior prevents columns that are too narrow or wide and allows you to read at a glance without having to constantly resize them manually.
If you need to adjust them, you can drag the separators And, whenever you prefer, double-click on a separator to have the system adjust it to the optimal width based on the content. These are small gestures that add up to ergonomics.
You can also decide how the size units are displayed: in binary or decimalThis level of control makes it easier to interpret sizes consistently based on your preference or the standard your team uses.
Performance and stability: the silent spotlight that shows
While what's visible makes headlines, Files 4.0 puts a lot of effort into what's unseen: internal optimization and bug fixes to reduce unexpected shutdowns. This groundwork is key to making everything else look great and, above all, to ensuring the alternative browser is reliable over long periods of time.
The set of changes makes the experience more solid and predictable, something that is appreciated both on modest computers and on work machines loaded with projects and libraries.
Observed msixbundle package history
One of the lists consulted shows packaged versions as msixbundle with its corresponding dateThis history helps us understand the cadence of updates that have been appearing recently.
- msixbundle 3.6.0.0 — Sep 17 2024
- msixbundle 2.5.21.0 — Aug 21 2023
- msixbundle 2.5.10.0 — Jun 29 2023
- msixbundle 2.5.1.0 — Jun 19 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.71.0 — May 18 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.70.0 — May 8 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.68.0 — Apr 24 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.62.0 — Apr 17 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.61 — Apr 10 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.40.0 — Feb 20 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.33.0 — Feb 13 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.31 — Feb 6 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.25.0 — Jan 26 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.21.0 — Jan 12 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.20 — Jan 11 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.14.0 — Jan 10 2023
- msixbundle 2.4.8.0 — Dec 29 2022
- msixbundle 2.4.4.0 — Dec 22 2022
- msixbundle 2.4.2 — Dec 15 2022
- msixbundle 2.4.0.0 — Dec 13 2022
These data do not imply by themselves the availability of a specific variant, but They serve as a reference for published versions and the pace of maintenance of the project in different distribution channels.
Note on .NET Framework 4 requirements seen in the results
Among the information consulted appears a block of requirements relating to Microsoft. NET Framework 4, focused on server installations. It's not something most users need to use Files on the desktop, but it's worth keeping in mind if you manage corporate machines or perform specific deployments.
For server installations, it is required to have Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 or later. If you are going to use ASP.NET features, IIS must be installed with the latest security updates before installing the .NET Framework. In this context, ASP.NET is supported only on Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2.
It is also recommended to have Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.8 or later. And an important point is to remember: Most users do not need a server installationIf in doubt, do a basic installation instead of setting up a server environment.
About the Server Core role: This version of the .NET Framework 4 does not support Server Core on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2. For 2008 R2 Service Pack 1, there is a separate installer designed for that specific scenario, called for Server Core.
In the same context, the package publication data is listed: Publication date: 15/7/2024, file name dotNetFx40_Full_x86_x64_SC.exe and approximate size of 48.1 MBIf you manage servers, these details help you locate the exact version you need to test or deploy.
Cookie and Privacy Experience on Reddit
One of the results leads to Reddit, which has a clear cookie policy: by accepting, you consent to the use of similar technologies to provide and maintain its services and site, improve quality, personalize content and advertising and measure the effectiveness of ads.
If you reject non-essential cookies, Reddit will continue to use the strictly necessary for operation of the platform. For further information, please refer to the Cookie Notice and its Privacy Policy, which explains the details of data processing and management options.
How this all fits together if you want to try Files 4.0
If you're coming from the classic Explorer, the jump is simple. The most striking thing you'll notice is the unified address bar with search and commands, followed by a sense of control on the dual panel thanks to its dedicated preferences and keyboard shortcut.
The Properties window, with hash comparison and signature verification, provides a layer of technical peace of mind that's often out of reach for the average user without external tools. In Files, you have it integrated just a click away.
For those who work with repositories or projects, being able to redefine “Open IDE” to your favorite editor from Settings / Developer Tools will become a common gesture. It's an example of how the app tries to fit into real-world workflows, not just add features for the sake of adding them.
Cloud integration and OneDrive visibility in Properties, along with the smarter column view and the choice between binary or decimal units are noticeable in everyday life. These are fine-tunings that avoid friction and save you small seconds that, in the end, add up.
Finally, the least visible part —the stability and reduction of closures—is what cements the experience. When an alternative explorer accompanies you for hours without incident, you embrace it without looking back.
If you are considering installing it, remember that the usual thing is a basic installation on the desktopThe .NET Framework 4 requirements above apply to specific server scenarios and should not affect you unless you manage Windows Server environments using specific roles.
As for availability, the package listings msixbundle shows a version history, with numbers and dates that reflect the release cadence. If you were already using Files, you'll see that the jump to 4.0 brings together long-awaited improvements and others that, once you try it, you'll miss when you return to the classic Explorer.
Those looking for a more modern browser for Windows will find Files 4.0 a natural evolution: more agile, more stable and with useful tools For everyday users and advanced users alike. From the tabs and color-coded sidebar to labels, integrated ZIP, and permanent deletion, it's a coherent offering with room for growth.
Looking at the whole picture of what we saw in the results — official news, technical details and accessory notes like Reddit's cookie policy or .NET server requirements—, the final picture is clear: Files 4.0 comes with a more powerful address bar, a better-resolved dual panel, Properties with verification functions, better integration with the cloud and interface tweaks that fit what many were asking for to work faster and with less friction.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.