Windows 11 Build 25136 brings tabs to File Explorer and more

Windows 11 Build 25136 is now available to users in the Dev
Channel with a new File Explorer featuring tabs and other
functionalities. Although Microsoft insists Build 25136 is not
tied to any particular release, the feature is still unlikely
to debut in the production channel as
Windows 11 22H2 has already hit RTM (being released to
manufacturers/OEMs).

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

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

The tab functionality isn’t immediately visible. Microsoft
officials said that it’s taking another shot at enabling tabs
in Explorer, but the feature isn’t ready for everyone just yet
as the company wants to test it with a small group of users for
now.

Tabs in File Explorer is one of the features the company has
been exploring for Windows since at least 2017. As some of you
may recall, Microsoft tried enabling tabs in File Explorer way
back in 2017 with “Windows Sets” which was supposed to add tabs
to all Windows 10 apps — including Settings, Control Panel,
File Explorer and more.

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

If you can’t wait for tabs to appear in preview builds, you can
try a third-party app called ‘Files’, which is an alternative
to File Explorer with a whole new look, themes, dual-pane,
tabs, and more.

What’s new in Windows 11 Build 25136

Windows 11 Build 25136 introduces a new sidebar for File
Explorer which was originally teased during the hybrid work
event.

As you can see in the above screenshot, File Explorer is
getting a refreshed layout on the left side which lets you
easily navigate to folders that are important. The new Explorer
provides access to pinned and frequently used folders and even
your OneDrive profiles if you link the cloud storage to Windows
11.

There are some other changes to the navigation pane as well.
For example, Windows folders which are already in the
navigation are no longer displayed under This PC. This reduces
the clutter and lets you organize the view for your PC’s
drives.

Likewise, the address bar now correctly displays the path in
the address when you visit OneDrive synced files, so you can
easily find out if the folders are on the cloud or available
locally.

Windows 11’s latest update also brings dynamic widget updates
to the taskbar. As you’re probably aware, Windows 11
taskbar is static, but it can display weather updates via
widgets board.

Microsoft is now exploring support for more widgets content on
your taskbar.

You can view weather updates on the taskbar and 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:

• Microsoft now lets you report animated gifs if you find
  them inappropriate within the emoji panel.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue leading to PCs being
  erroneously detected as tablets. This bug accidentally enabled
  compact mode and disable a feature that lets you hide
  checkboxes in File Explorer.
• Microsoft fixed an issue that causes the
  SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION bug check in recent Dev Channel
  builds.
• Microsoft fixed an issue where taskbar apps overflow with
  the system tray icons.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue where when you hover on an app
  the notification will no longer flash.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue where Start can only show one
  column of recommended items.
• 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. Signup for Windows Insiders Program.
2. Open
   the Settings page.
3. Switch
   to Dev Channel.
4. Click on “Check for updates“ and select
   “Download & Install”.
5. Click on “Restart now”.