Windows 11 Build 25136 brings tabs to File Explorer and more

Windows 11 Build 25136 is now available for users in the Development Channel, with a new File Explorer featuring tabs and other features. Although Microsoft insists that Build 25136 is not tied to any specific version, the feature is still unlikely to debut in the production channel as Windows 11 22H2 has already reached RTM (release to manufacturers/OEMs).

Windows 11 Build 25136 isn’t a big release with tons of new features, but it finally supports the much-anticipated tabs in File Explorer. Windows enthusiasts have asked Microsoft to improve File Explorer's interface by integrating tabs and other features.

While File Explorer has been updated with features like OneDrive integration and modern ribbon design, one of the most requested features, "Tabs," is missing from Explorer. Today’s update finally brings tabs and a redesigned sidebar to File Explorer on Windows 11.

Tab functionality will not be immediately visible. Microsoft officials say it's trying again to enable tabs in Explorer, but the feature isn't ready for everyone yet as the company currently wants to test it with a small group of users.

Tabs in File Explorer are one of the Windows features the company has been exploring since at least 2017. Some of you may remember that Microsoft tried to enable tabs in File Explorer back in 2017 using "Windows Sets," which was supposed to add tabs to all Windows 10 apps — including Settings, Control Panel, File Explorer, etc.

Microsoft eventually canceled the project and decided to focus on fixing it by migrating Edge to the Chromium engine. The Sets feature isn't coming back, but Microsoft has now begun modernizing File Explorer again by redesigning its sidebar and adding tabs in the title bar.

If you can’t wait for the tabs to appear in the preview build, you can try a third-party app called Files that is a replacement for File Explorer with a new look, theme , dual panes, tabs, and more.

What’s new in Windows 11 Build 25136

Windows 11 Build 25136 introduces a new sidebar for File Explorer, initially Being teased during mixed work events.

As you can see in the screenshot above, File Explorer gets a refreshed layout on the left side, allowing you to easily navigate to important folders . If you link your cloud storage to Windows 11, the new Explorer can access pinned and hot folders and even your OneDrive profile.

The navigation pane has some other changes as well. For example, Windows folders that are already in the navigation no longer appear under This PC. This reduces clutter and lets you organize your view of your PC drives.

Similarly, when you access a OneDrive synced file, the address bar now correctly displays the path in the address, so you can easily determine whether a folder is available in the cloud or locally.

The latest update to Windows 11 also brings dynamic widget updates to the taskbar. As you may know, the Windows 11 taskbar is static, but it can display weather updates through a widget board.

Microsoft is now exploring support for more widget content on the taskbar.

You can view weather updates on the taskbar and view live updates from two widgets (Sports and Finance widgets). Additionally, Microsoft plans to push breaking news alerts directly to the taskbar.

Windows 11 Build 25136 Improvements:

• If you find an animated GIF inappropriate in the emoji panel, Microsoft now lets you Report them.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue that caused PCs to be incorrectly detected as tablets. This bug accidentally enables compact mode and disables a feature that lets you hide checkboxes in File Explorer.
• Microsoft fixed an issue that caused a SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION bugcheck in recent Dev Channel builds.
• Microsoft fixed an issue where taskbar applications overflowed the system tray icon.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue where notifications would no longer flash when you hover over an app.
• Microsoft fixed an issue where only one list of recommended items could be displayed initially.
• You can now easily pin a large number of apps to Start.

How to install Windows 11 Build 25136

To install Windows 11 Build 25136, follow these steps:

1. Register Windows Insider Program.
2. Open the Settings page.
3. Switch to Development Channel.
4. Click "Check for Updates" and select "Download and Install".
5. Click "Restart now".

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