Microsoft Tweaks Windows Explorer for Windows 8
Windows 8 will bring with it a host of new improvements, one of which is a redesigned Windows Explorer.
For over 99 percent of Windows users, Explorer is the tool used to manage files, be it moving, deleting, renaming, or even finding and opening. In Windows 8, Microsoft is giving Explorer the Ribbon UI interface that's slowly pervading the company's software offerings.
While realizing that the Ribbon UI isn't a popular design choice by its users, Microsoft program manager Alex Simons explained in a blog post why it was the best way to go for Windows 8. Here are some of his points in rapid fire form:
We set out to accomplish three main goals with this new version of Explorer.
- Optimize Explorer for file management tasks. Return Explorer to its roots as an efficient file manager and expose some hidden gems, those file management commands already in Explorer that many customers might not even know exist.
- Create a streamlined command experience. Put the most used commands in the most prominent parts of the UI so they are easy to find, in places that make sense and are reliable. Organize the commands in predictable places and logical groupings according to context, and present relevant information right where you need it.
- Respect Explorer’s heritage. Maintain the power and richness of Explorer and bring back the most relevant and requested features from the Windows XP era when the current architecture and security model of Windows permits.
We evaluated several different UI command affordances including expanded versions of the Vista/Windows 7 command bar, Windows 95/Windows XP style toolbars and menus, several entirely new UI approaches, and the Office style ribbon. Of these, the ribbon approach offered benefits in line with our goals:
- Provides the ability to put the most important commands in very prominent, front and center locations.
- Makes it easy to find commands predictably and reliably. Every important file management command could be given a home in the ribbon, and customers would always know where to look for them.
- Exposes a large set of commands (~200) in one easy and consistent experience and organizes commands into scenario-focused groups without the use of nested menus, popups, dialogs, and right-click menus.
- Aids command identification with support for grouping, a variety of button sizes and icons, and aids deeper investigation with live previews and expanded tooltips.
- Takes a similar approach to Office, Microsoft Paint, and Windows Live Essentials, which means that many of our customers will be familiar with the model and not have a lot to learn.
- Provides a consistent, reliable UI that doesn’t degrade over time like traditional toolbar and menu-based user interfaces do. See Jensen’s earlier blog on this topic from the development of the ribbon.
We knew that using a ribbon for Explorer would likely be met with skepticism by a set of power-users (like me), but there are clear benefits in ways that the ribbon:
- Exposes hidden features that they already use but which require third party add-ons to use in the Explorer UI today.
- Provides keyboard shortcuts for every command in the ribbon, something many people have been asking for.
- Provides UI customization with the quick access toolbar, taking us back to a customization level that is basically equivalent to Windows XP.
What do you think of the Windows 8 Explorer changes? Current Windows 7 users may not like it; but if there's one thing to love, it's more files displayed in a same-sized window. That's progress for you.


I like Windows 7 because its pretty minimal, don't start wasting screen area with garbage that can't be removed. If I'm browsing through 1000's of pics I want them to cover the as much screen area as possible, not the toolbars at the top!
It can be collapsed:
I like Windows 7 because its pretty minimal, don't start wasting screen area with garbage that can't be removed. If I'm browsing through 1000's of pics I want them to cover the as much screen area as possible, not the toolbars at the top!
I would like to point out that the W7 Explorer Window in the comparison screen shot is in "Libraries" mode with the "Documents Library" heading and what seems to be the large Details Pane/meta-info bar at the bottom. The "normal" folders mode and medium to small Details Pane would hold a lot more files than the W8 Explorer Window.
Edit:
I'd like to add that the only commands on the Command Bar that I use frequently are "New Folder" and the "Views" button. I put the "Move to" and "Copy to" commands on the right-click menu so nearly everything I need is easy to get to from the right-click menu
It can be collapsed:
Absolutely!
I think ribbon isn't a bad idea at all, just one which take getting used to, and once you are there everything is pretty much routine/easy.
So they changed the whole damn layout, Derpedy derpa derpa derp....
I like it!!
this.
And for path, i believe in winxp explorer all i have to do is just copy from the textbox under the title menu, no need to do those steps in the video :|
and for the ribbon, i used ms office in the past, but since they use the ribbon thing, i really got confuse with ms office, so i move to libre office now. they said the ribbon thing is more intuitive, i tried use them for sometime, to me it's suck.
hell, now they want to put it in the explorer, they really want me to stop using microsoft product :|
I wish software and hardware makers provide better support for linux (i get used to Ubuntu), so i can really leave microsoft products completely.
I personally like a non-ribbon explorer (like in Win 7). Otherwise the rest of the stuff is good.
heres hoping its completely removable. that being said, was there any need to change it from xp? i mean seriously, ANY NEED?
Oh yeah, and I hope I can get rid of tabbed browsing and bring back the top menu (File/View/Edit/Tools/etc) instead of these big buttons. Seriously, this looks like Office 2007... I don't like this. The Ribbon can go and rm -rf itself...
The problem with ALL modern software products is that they try to add something new and unwanted before there's any kind of stability achieved. Ubuntu became a very stable OS at 10.10, then they threw in Unity and plymouth in 11.04 and look, it's full of bugs AGAIN. Same here; what was wrong with Win7 looks? Why can't they just freakin' STOP for once?!
If at all, MS should finally port Compiz to Windows... I just discovered even more kick-ass effects there, and Win7 has nothing similar to offer, a shame. Why can't MS get their heads out of their a$$es and make a solid, stable OS that will destroy all opponents once and for all? Win7 was great, now improve it instead of introducing new flashy garbage! Improve loading times or something...
Mozilla and Microsoft just don't seem to get it. Most people don't want almost a 5th of their browser junked up with buttons and menus and other annoying things.
Thank JEBUS for Chrome!