The file explorer on Windows 11 is receiving frequent updates from Microsoft, and the most recent one introduces a brand new interface for the photo gallery, which is likely to be highly appreciated by users
Microsoft has introduced a fresh photo gallery feature to the Windows 11 File Explorer, allowing users to preview their snapshots. Currently available for Insiders in the Dev Channel, this feature is included in Windows Insider Preview Build 23435. To access the photo gallery, users can go to the side menu of File Explorer located next to their favorite folders and cloud storage options. The gallery presents a grid of recent photos stored on the PC and those from OneDrive if camera backups are enabled. It functions similarly to the “All Photos” view in the Photos app on the system.
WHAT CHANGES ON THE NEW PHOTO GALLERY?
Apart from providing an easy way to view photos while browsing files and folders, the new photo gallery feature also allows users to select the folders to display and add subfolders to filter content, making it easier to locate specific images. Moreover, the gallery view appears as an option in the file picker of other applications, simplifying the search for recent photos in different apps without the need to search through all the folders.
In addition to the photo gallery, Microsoft is also testing an updated codebase for File Explorer that uses WinUI 3 instead of WinUI 2, aiming to enhance the overall performance of the File Explorer.
It is essential to note that the gallery display is still in beta and may not be available immediately to all Insiders in the Dev channel. Microsoft plans to monitor feedback and evaluate the feature’s performance before releasing it to everyone. As Microsoft continues to improve File Explorer, more helpful features are likely to be added in the future.
