Microsoft is up to its magic again. If the File Explorer in Windows 11 didn’t already feel like the hub of all your file browsing needs, the tech giant is giving it a little more juice. Enter the “Recommended” section, a new addition being tested in the Windows Insider Beta Channel through Build 22635.4800. This feature is slated to integrate deeply with your Microsoft account, churning out file recommendations tailored just for you. Whether you find this helpful or intrusive may depend on your level of comfort letting Microsoft peek into your file activities. But hey, let’s break it down!
Think Spotify algorithms for playlists—but instead of music, it’s PDFs, PowerPoint slides, and Excel sheets. Microsoft thinks this will save professionals, students, or the average multitasker the time they spend sifting through folders.
This feature will be a lifesaver for anyone managing multiple folders at the same time, much like juggling tabs while surfing the web. Imagine a world where File Explorer is as user-friendly as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. No more manually retracing your clicks after a restart!
Here’s why this matters:
But one thing’s clear: File Explorer is no longer just a simple utility to browse files. It’s an evolving hub designed for productivity geeks, cloud enthusiasts, and anyone who wants quicker access to what matters most (or what Microsoft thinks matters most).
So, what’s your take? Will you be using the new Recommended feature in File Explorer, or will it be an immediate check-off in your privacy settings? Join the conversation in the comments!
Source: Windows Latest https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/01/31/windows-11s-file-explorer-is-getting-recommended-feed-with-microsoft-account-integration/
What’s New in the File Explorer?
If you’ve been using Windows 11 for a minute, you’re probably familiar with File Explorer’s Home tab and its Quick Access feature. The newly tested feature doesn’t replace these but adds something extra—a separated “Recommended” section that consolidates local files and cloud files, aligning them with activity insights generated from your Microsoft account. Here’s the lowdown:- Recommended Section Basics:
- This section is disabled by default but can be turned on in the Folder Options menu.
- It displays files based on user account activity, including recent files, favorites, or work files that are part of OneDrive or SharePoint.
- Microsoft Account Integration:
- Previously limited to Azure Active Directory (AAD) accounts, the feature now works for personal Microsoft accounts as well. That’s right! Your personal insights, whether it’s local files or cloud-stored OneDrive ones, are fair game to show up here.
- Privacy Control:
- If File Explorer starts feeling more like your nosy neighbor than your best friend, don’t stress. You can untick the “Show recommended section” and “Include account-based insights, recent, favorites, and recommended files” in Folder Options to deactivate the feature altogether.
- Customization Flexibility:
- Users can manually remove items from the recommended feed. Right-clicking on files or using the three-dot context menu ensures you can curate what stays and what goes.
How Does It Work? Demystifying 'Account-Based Insights'
Okay, here’s where the gears grind together. Why is Microsoft so confident this will elevate File Explorer’s user experience? It’s all about data—a carefully measured sprinkle of your account activity insights, almost like Microsoft’s predictive text but for your files. Its algorithms analyze:- Recently accessed files.
- Frequently opened documents.
- Highly used favorites.
Think Spotify algorithms for playlists—but instead of music, it’s PDFs, PowerPoint slides, and Excel sheets. Microsoft thinks this will save professionals, students, or the average multitasker the time they spend sifting through folders.
How to Turn It On (or Off)
If this all sounds like something you want to try, enabling the feature is pretty simple.- Enable or Disable the Recommended Section:
- Go to File Explorer → Folder Options (accessible via the “View settings” or the three-dot menu).
- Under Privacy settings, check the relevant boxes to “Show recommended section” and “Include account-based insights.”
- Customization Options:
- Don’t like a file showing up in recommendations?
- Right-click to remove it or tweak your insights further through account settings.
- Rollback to Defaults:
- Simply uncheck the boxes, and File Explorer will revert to the good ol’ Quick Access layout.
Improvements to File Explorer Beyond the Recommended Section
Microsoft isn’t stopping at just a feed makeover. Other upgrades to File Explorer sneak into this release. One standout feature is Auto Tab Restore, triggered when File Explorer crashes or restarts. While still an experimental addition, it mirrors what modern web browsers offer, like reopening tabs after an unexpected shutdown.This feature will be a lifesaver for anyone managing multiple folders at the same time, much like juggling tabs while surfing the web. Imagine a world where File Explorer is as user-friendly as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. No more manually retracing your clicks after a restart!
The Bigger Picture: Windows 11’s Evolution
The File Explorer changes are part of a larger trend shaping Windows 11. Microsoft has been doubling down on cross-platform integration, particularly their alignment with cloud ecosystems, Microsoft 365, and mobile devices via seamless iOS/Android continuity.Here’s why this matters:
- Account-based features lean into Microsoft’s long-term strategy to push users toward its subscription-based ecosystem, leveraging Microsoft 365 and OneDrive.
- Personalization options like these contribute to Windows 11’s gradual pivot to a productivity-focused OS. This is evident with features like Snap Layouts, Widgets, Copilot for Windows, and app integrations.
Potential Concerns for Privacy Enthusiasts
Is Microsoft too integrated into your life? Here’s the flip side to all this automation and ease:- Privacy Red Flags: Some users may worry about account-based insights enabling a deeper collection of activity data—even if it’s for “productivity.”
- Over-customization: When does helpful cross-linking become creepy? It’s all about execution. If the algorithms stumble, serving too many irrelevant files, the feature could risk being ignored or outright disabled.
Let’s Recap the Pros and Cons
The Good Stuff
- Personalized recommendations could save significant browsing time.
- No longer restricted to enterprise AAD users; works across standard Microsoft accounts.
- Can be enabled, disabled, and customized at will.
- Plays nicely with Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and your local desktop life.
Potential Risks
- Could disrupt simple workflows with unneeded clutter.
- Raises mild concerns about data collection practices and algorithmic accuracy.
- Another layer of complexity in an otherwise straightforward tool like File Explorer.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft betting on a “Recommended" section in File Explorer underscores its larger vision for Windows 11—seamlessly blending cloud-driven insights with day-to-day desktop experiences. Will it feel indispensable or end up as yet another feature most users ignore? Only time—and user feedback—will tell.But one thing’s clear: File Explorer is no longer just a simple utility to browse files. It’s an evolving hub designed for productivity geeks, cloud enthusiasts, and anyone who wants quicker access to what matters most (or what Microsoft thinks matters most).
So, what’s your take? Will you be using the new Recommended feature in File Explorer, or will it be an immediate check-off in your privacy settings? Join the conversation in the comments!
Source: Windows Latest https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/01/31/windows-11s-file-explorer-is-getting-recommended-feed-with-microsoft-account-integration/
