Windows 11: Insider Preview 25179 released with tabs in File Explorer

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25179, a preview of Windows 11 23H2 or the next but one Windows 11 in the new release cycle, has been released and rolls out the tabs for the file explorer for the first time for all insiders in the Dev Channel of the operating system from Microsoft, primarily addressed to developers and experienced users.

Tabs in the file explorer come with Windows 11 22H2

After only selected Windows 11 Insiders were able to enjoy tabs in Microsoft's File Explorer with Build 25136, the manufacturer is now rolling out the feature with Build 25179 for all participants in the more experimental Dev Channel. However, the function will also be ported back for Windows 11 22H2 (“Sun Valley 2”), which has already been released in a preview version.

The Dev Channel and the Windows 11 22H2 Preview is available through the following channels:

• Windows Update
• Windows Update for Business
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
• Release Preview Channel in the Insider Program
• Microsoft Azure Marketplace

The preview, which is based on Windows 11 Build 22621 with RTM status, almost corresponds to the final release of Windows 11 22H2 and will only receive minor adjustments until the final rollout . The rollout of Windows 11 22H2 will begin with a pre-release later this month and is expected to run through September.

New layout for the file explorer

In addition to the tabs, the refreshed file explorer offers a new left navigation pane layout intended to provide quicker access to frequently accessed folders, pinned folders, and multiple OneDrive profiles added to Windows 11. The OneDrive drives also now show the username associated with the profiles.

The start menu is also in focus

In addition to the extended start menu, the feature update will include customizable Folders and a configurable recommendation area revise the settings of the operating system and give the folders a preview image again. There are also some new themes.

Customizable folders in the start menu (Image: Microsoft)

The new preview of folder contents (Image: Microsoft)

Optimized Taskbar for tablets and 2-in-1s

The new taskbar, or the new taskbar status, as Microsoft calls the feature, should be activated automatically whenever the operating system is running on a tablet or the keyboard of a 2-in-1 device is removed. According to Microsoft, however, this optimized taskbar cannot be activated or otherwise forced on a desktop PC or notebook.

The new tablet-optimized Windows 11 taskbar (Image: Microsoft)

The new dynamic feeds in Windows 11 (Image: Microsoft)

The update to Windows 11 21H2 officially requires the following framework conditions, some of which can (still) be avoided with various workarounds.

• Windows 10 2004 ( “20H1”) or higher
• active TPM 2.0 or fTPM 2.0
• activated Secure Boot in UEFI
• a compatible processor

< p class="p text-width">However, Microsoft has already announced several times that it will check the requirements more strictly when changing to the next higher feature update.

< li>Windows 11 22H2: Microsoft account should also be mandatory for pro users

Insiders are already on the way to Windows 11 23H2

Windows 11 insiders in the Dev Channel are already on their way to the autumn 2023 update aka Windows 11 23H2 (“Sun Valley 3”), for which Microsoft is coming year plans further innovations.

• Windows 11 23H2: New folders on the desktop group apps by theme
• Windows 11 23H2: Interactive content spreads across the desktop

Microsoft is considering a new release cycle

However, it is also possible that Windows 11 will only receive a major feature update every three years and in the meantime, it will be equipped with new functions via feature drops, so-called “Moments”.

More information on the switch to the official preview of Windows 11 22H2 is provided in a detailed article in the Microsoft Tech Community.

Microsoft has summarized further details on the current Windows 11 Insider Preview 25179 on the Windows Insider Blog.

As always, the Microsoft Flight Hub.