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Ribbon Interface for Windows Explorer in Windows 8
Read this article to know more about the latest improvements for Windows Explorer in Windows 8 operating system. In this article I will discuss about the improvements made to the Windows Explorer.
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Few days back in the Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft said that they are going to release the Pre-release version of Windows 8 operating system with in a couple of months. Later in the blog, Microsoft revealed Windows 8 Team . In the development team, an App-store development team is also mentioned, with which we can surely say, an App-store will be present for the Windows 8 operating system.
Later in the blog, Microsoft said that Windows 8 operating system will support USB 3.0 . With USB 3.0 support, we can expect fast data transfer for the USB devices. Microsoft made some improvements for the Copy Jobs feature and explained how the improved Copy Jobs feature will handle the File Name Collisions in Windows 8 operating system.
As per rumors, Microsoft is going to release the Windows 8 operating system in the year 2012 and they are going to release the latest build in the September 2011. As per speculations in the internet, those who are attending the September build conference will be given a Quad-Core Tablet with Windows 8 operating system for the purpose of testing Windows 8.
Improvements in Windows 8 Explorer
Explorer plays a important role in Windows operating system. In the first versions of Windows, it is called as MS-DOS Executive. See the MS-DOS Executive image in Windows 1.0 below.
From the first version to present version, Explorer undergone several different changes. You can easily notice the changes of Windows Explorer in Windows XP and in Windows 7 operating system. Below are the images of Windows XP Explorer and Windows 7 Explorer.
Microsoft want to improve the usage of Windows Explorer. Though Windows Explorer plays a key role in Windows operating system, the usage of Windows Explorer is less when compared to other applications. As per telemetry data collected by Microsoft, many users including power users are using Windows Explorer very less. So they want to make some changes to Windows Explorer, so that everyone can use the Explorer in a easy way. Till now, Explorer is mainly used for launching programs, viewing photos, playing videos and for hearing music.
As per the telemetry data which Microsoft have, they came to know that, 54.5 % of commands are invoked by using a right-click content menu and another 32.2 % are invoked using Keyboard shortcuts, while the remaining 10.9 % came from the command bar.
To improve the Windows Explorer in Windows 8 operating system, Microsoft created few goals. They are
1) Optimizing Explorer for file management tasks : This task can be achieved by returning Explorer to its roots and make it as an efficient file manager and expose some hidden gems in the Explorer.
2) Creating a streamlined command experience : This can be achieved by organizing the commands in predictable places and logical grouping according to context and presenting relevant information where there is need.
3) Respecting Explorer's heritage : This can be achieved by maintaining the power and richness of Explorer and bringing back the most relevant and requested features from the older Windows operating system.
To reach these above goals, Microsoft analyzed different approaches and finally they decided to enter the new User Interface approach. The new approach is Office style ribbon approach. Microsoft decided that ribbon approach will offer many benefits when compare to older ones.
Ribbon interface Provides the ability to put the most important commands in very prominent, front and center locations. It makes easy to find commands. Every important file management command could be given a home in the ribbon and it is easy for users to know where to look for them. It takes a similar approach to Office, Microsoft Paint, and Windows Live Essentials, which means many of the Windows users will be familiar with the model and not have a lot to learn.
Features of Ribbon interface for Explorer in Windows 8 operating system
1) It Exposes hidden features which already use but which require third party add-ons to use in the Explorer UI today.
2) It Provides keyboard shortcuts for every command in the ribbon.
3) It Provides User Interface customization with the quick access toolbar, taking users back to a customization level that is basically equivalent to Windows XP.
A ribbon gave us a lot of layout options and Microsoft explored a number of different approaches to tabs and grouping. Finally they decided to go with three main tabs: Home, Share, and View, plus a File menu and a variety of contextual tabs. Below is the image of the new ribbon interface for Windows Explorer in Windows 8 operating system.
From the past few posts in the Building Windows 8 blog, we can conclude that, Windows 8 will have
1) An App store
2) Support USB 3.0
3) Improved Copy Jobs feature
4) New Ribbon interface for Windows Explorer
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