Introducing Files v0.6.5

NOTE: There is currently an issue preventing creation of non-x64 packages in Visual Studio, so we're releasing v0.6.5 as a preview to x64 users only. We apologize for the inconvenience, and we hope to bring this new version to the other architectures in the near future.

New features

• Remove recent item option (Thanks @RobbyRobbyRobby)
• Open in Terminal
• Redesigned Unhandled-Exception message
• Tweaks to Home layout
• Added icons and rounded corners to instance tabs
• Allow reordering of instance tabs
• Make splash screen optional (Thanks @yaichenbaum)
• Tweaks to density of PhotoAlbum layout
• Open in new tab & new window context menu items
• Easy creation of new items from context menu (Thanks @jeffsieu)
• Dynamic refresh of Drives list
• Sorting Storage Items (Thanks @jeffsieu)
• In-line renaming of items (Thanks @jeffsieu)

Bugs fixed

• Defer loading of recent items until permission is granted
• Users can now launch all executable files
• Prevent tab content from disappearing when Ctrl is pressed while clicking it
• Properly display version number in About page
• Splash screen delay has been reduced (thanks @yaichenbaum)
• Request smaller thumbnail sizes in PhotoAlbum view
• Don't hold references to selected tab instances in ItemViewModel
• Ensure item loading is properly canceled upon navigation
• Prevented display of stale items after back/forward navigation
• Improvements to executable launching from Recent Items
• Fix related to compiling the solution

Rollout of the New App Icon

Thanks to a lengthy, community-driven discussion since the summer, we've finally decided on a wonderful new app icon. The community members who we're recognizing for this contribution are listed in the Settings > About page.

Development is back on with Files 0.6.2

In case you do not want to build from the source there is now an option to download the preview from the Microsoft Store https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9NGHP3DX8HDX.

What's New:

• Up navigation Button
  
  The ability to navigate to the parent directory is finally here

• Clickable PathBar
  
  You can now click through the directories in the PathBar, rather than entering the whole path

• Easily open new instances of Files from the ribbon
  

• Layout Clear all command - This makes it easier to clear selected items

• Properties Dialog
  
  View basic properties for items. (this experience will improve in the future)

• Navigation Crash prevention - Navigating to many locations rapidly would cause a crash, now this has been fixed

• App will now properly detect system theme on first launch - Thanks @yaichenbaum

• Ensure item is deleted during Cut operation - Fixed

• Progress box during Delete Operation

Know Issues With This Release:

• Opening a large directory and clicking a location on the PathBar while it's still loading will cause instability. (Fixed in master)
• Version number in Settings menu is incorrectly displaying 0.5.0 instead of 0.6.2

Files UWP v0.5

⚠This and future versions will now only work on 1809+

What's New:

• Custom Locations - You can now customize where Files looks for your common locations from the Settings menu. Just enter a path, different drive or not, press save, and restart the app for these changes to take affect.
• Pinning Sidebar Items - A commonly used feature in Windows File Explorer is pinning locations to the sidebar for easy access. Files can do this from a folder's context menu, starting today.
• Keyboard Accelerators - These should work more reliably in this version, and have changed to be more familiar.
• Remove Ugly Cell Focus Indicator from DataGrid - This was always an eyesore. Now it's gone. You're welcome. 😀
• Closing the Last Tab Will Now Close the App - This is now implemented to match the behavior of your favorite web browsers.
• Crash fixes - Files should no longer crash when switching between tabs while a directory is loading, and shouldn't crash on startup.
• Compact Sidebar Layout - You'll no longer have to scroll to see all of your drives since they take up less space.
• More Subtle Rounded Corners - This is still a work in progress until supported by every control, but you should things look less playful while still striking that natural balance.
• Removing Sidebar Acrylic - While I understand many users may be disappointed by this change, it was necessary because heavy splashes of acrylic can distract the user. This change is also in-line with the revised Microsoft Fluent Design guidelines for navigation panes, which I am committed to utilizing fully. I will be closely monitoring user feedback from this change.

Files UWP v0.5.0-newui_snapshot2

What's New:

• Ensure v1903-Specific Features Aren't Attempted On Older Releases - This fixes a crash occuring on versions below 1903. Special thanks to the members of the community who helped me narrow this bug down. Also, I still remain committed to supporting v1803+

• Took Advantage of UWP MostRecentlyUsedList for Recent Items - This method is far more efficient than the previous way, which required writing item paths to a file.

• Fixed PhotoAlbum Layout Right Click and Selection Behavior - Right clicking a GridViewItem will display the context menu and allow for use of most commands. While I'm continuing my work to ensure consistency between the DataGrid and GridView commands when invoked, I am happy to announce this effort is nearing completion for both layouts. Meaning, we are coming very close to nailing the basics.

• Removed Window Size on Application Startup - We now allow the shell to remember your window size preferences again.

• Prevented a Crash When Inserting/Removing Certain Drives - You should see a decrease in unhandled exceptions when interacting with removable drives and their respective recent items entries.

Known Issues:

• Snapshot Number Not Updated - For this snapshot, the version string in Settings > About was never updated to reflect the increase in snapshot number.

Thanks for your participation as we continue to grow and stabilize Files UWP. Keep the issue reports coming!

- Luke Blevins

Files UWP v0.5.0-newui_snapshot1

• This release contains a new page that helps to display error messages to the user, rather than simply aborting the app.
• (No new features)

Files UWP v0.5.0-newui_snapshot0

Hello everybody,

This version is a snapshot of the work being done in newui which contains many enhancements, and you guessed it-a new user interface! While various things don't work (or work poorly), there has been major progress in making Files UWP a finished project.

UI Redesign

I was inspired by Michael West's Twitter concepts to create a more dense, yet Fluent design with rounded corners to match Microsoft's great new aesthetic. This is very much a work in progress.

Instance Tabs

Similar to your favorite internet browsers, you can now create multiple instances of Files in tabs to quickly switch between open folders. This required a lot of code change.

More Coming Soon...

Expect to see more design refinements and features added before I consider this layout, Project Mumbai, to be complete.

• Properties Window
• Icon Size Mode
• Custom Libraries
• "Open in new tab/window..." Context Menu Items

Keep the great issue reports and PRs coming, so I know where to focus my efforts this summer.

- duke7553

Files UWP v0.4.9

ARM Builds will come soon. Files now only supports Windows version 1809+

• Files will get only necessary item properties on initial load (Might improve performance)

• "Less dark" Better dark theme
  

• Bug fixes

• Friendly dates
  

• Now only supports 1809+

• Can now drop items into DataGrid

• Recent Items
  

Files UWP v0.4.8

Call for Testing: ARM Build
As of 2/20/2019, I was able to compile an ARM build.
Testers should check whether launching executables works in these builds, and report back.
PLEASE NOTE: The app may crash because the legacy part only builds for x86 and x64

Fixed Issues / New Features:

• Items without a thumbnail now display an icon

• Deleting won't require a refresh, and it supports multiple items

• AddItem is more reliable

• Vastly improved Paste experience

• Enable some keyboard accelerators

• Files can now launch executables, which opens up the possibility for navigating to the current directory for a powershell shortcut -pictured below [thanks ashikns]

• Project code reorganization into a new folder

• Share UI working
  

• New consent dialog

• Improved visibility of titlebar close, min, max buttons [thanks ATec Solutions]

• New path bar for GenericFileBrowser w/validation

• Reorder animation for PhotoAlbum layout [thanks ATec Solutions]

• GenericFileBrowser context menus now display when right clicking empty space
  

Thanks everybody, and have a great day,
duke7553

Files UWP v0.4.7

• Improved RAM usage and UI responsiveness while loading the items of a large directory
• Added "Delete" (to recycle bin) command and keyboard shortcut
• Redesigned Settings
• Cleaned up code [thanks carlosrfernandez]
• Quick de-selection of DataGrid items when clicking outside the control
• No longer display application picker for opened files [use Open With instead]
• Implement Add Dialog for three basic item types.
• Bug fixes related to Removable Storage and multiple Local Disks visibility
• Split downloads into separate architectures
• Sideload packages below are now Release builds

Have a great day!

• duke7553

Files UWP v0.4.6.0

• Improved UI of PhotoAlbum Layout
• Implemented Removable Drive Support (they should show up after restarting the app, but still buggy)
• Fixed a bug related to removable drives not being selected in NavigationView after a "History" (forward/backwards) Navigation
• Began exploration of ways to possibly allow execution of legacy apps

Have a great day!
-duke7553