After Microsoft released the first major update for Windows 11, another minor update came this week (October 18) that finally gives everyone the two features they want – tabs in File Explorer and taskbar improvements.
Tabs are clearly the main feature here, especially for me, as being able to manage multiple files in one window will save me a lot of time and frustration, but the amazing thing is that it finally shows up after the first announcement in April.
In blog post (opens in a new tab)the company also confirmed a number of other features that appeared in this new update – right-clicking on the taskbar gives you the ability to bring up the Task Manager, while suggested actions may include numbers and text to suggest their use in applications such as Calendar and Skype .
While these updates are welcome, it would be nice to hear about the user roadmap when certain features become available, rather than waiting six months for what happened with File Explorer tabs.
Microsoft, let’s hear when new features come out
Granted, these improvements are proof that Microsoft is listening to feedback, but the tabs in File Explorer have taken six months since they were first announced at the event.
It was not until the debut of the 2022 update that the company announced that they will appear in October, but why so long?
If you take the example of Apple with macOS Ventura, it was announced in June at WWDC, but was stated to be coming “in the fall.” October 24 was finally announced for Ventura along with the new iPads and Apple TV, but that gave users an idea of how they could prepare their devices for the upcoming update.
Indeed, the “fall” date is not the brightest of the release dates, but it was at least an idea of when the update would arrive, while the April date was not specified in File Explorer’s tabs.
This gives users confidence that features and updates will arrive at a certain time of the year, and Microsoft should start doing the same.
Let’s see at least a six-month roadmap for some features that are almost ready for release. Or if we start seeing new features announced, let’s also look at the approximate release date.
Windows is undergoing a renovation, both in terms of appearance and functionality, especially with the release of new Surface tablets, so let’s start making sure what new features will come and when.