First Look at Explorer in Windows 8, Now with More Ribbon

Published on 08-30-2011 07:01 AM

Microsoft today offers a peek at what we can expect from Explorer when Windows 8 is released, and the main thing you'll notice off the bat: It's got a ribbon. Love it or lump it, Microsoft thinks the ribbon will offer serious benefits in the end:

We knew that using a ribbon for Explorer would likely be met with skepticism by a set of power-users (like me), but there are clear benefits in ways that the ribbon:

Exposes hidden features that they already use but which require third party add-ons to use in the Explorer UI today.
Provides keyboard shortcuts for every command in the ribbon, something many people have been asking for.
Provides UI customization with the quick access toolbar, taking us back to a customization level that is basically equivalent to Windows XP.

Check out the full post for more pictures and details (and a nice history of Explorer), and let's hear your snap judgment in the comments.

Categories:
Software

12 Comments

duke0102 - 08-30-2011, 02:57 PM
- Reply
just personal preference but I don't like the tabbed menu. I even use the older MS Office 'cos of the old style menu lol

Tarom - 08-30-2011, 10:49 PM
- Reply
While every browser tries to simplify its look, explorer decided to be more complicated... Just shows once again how out of touch Microsoft is...

tesco - 08-30-2011, 11:02 PM
- Reply
Just hope they have time to add the "classic menu" feature.

megabyteme - 08-31-2011, 06:07 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by duke0102

just personal preference but I don't like the tabbed menu. I even use the older MS Office 'cos of the old style menu lol

I was just mentioning that to my wife (who also uses several Office progs), and we both agree that M$ had a great product, then they fked it up just to make it different/new. I've taken classes in both, so it isn't a lack of knowledge- the newer versions of Office just lack the intuitiveness they used to have. I seriously HATE hunting for things I still remember from way back. Now I've gotta use Google with the damn Office suite.

iLOVENZB - 08-31-2011, 08:48 AM
- Reply
Microsoft is going to same way as Sony are doing with their PSN overhaul. They're replacing "text" with a graphic. Microsoft appears to be straying away from the desktop market and focusing on the mobile market. A risky move on their part.

Sporkk - 08-31-2011, 02:43 PM
- Reply
Originally Posted by iLOVENZB

Microsoft is going to same way as Sony are doing with their PSN overhaul. They're replacing "text" with a graphic. Microsoft appears to be straying away from the desktop market and focusing on the mobile market. A risky move on their part.

They are trying to get in every market by making a os that runs on different devices and processors while having it work with touchscreen or mouse. Even the next xbox will have it. They are also trying to push most apps to be programed with html, java, and css ... I think. I wonder if this would make the applications easily accessible from linux or macs? Is there any reason why these browser based apps wouldn't be compatible with 7? I'm guessing the only difference is that they are designed to be integrated with the flashy new ui. I've also heard that apps would be run in some sort of virtual box which would hopefully be a great help against malware.

I used 7mc for a while and it looks nice but I prefer a plain menu. Things are over exaggerated and flashy and I feel the same way about windows 8 from what I've seen. Even ubuntu is trying similar stuff right now. I'm not saying its bad but I have no interest in buying another new version of windows. A basic text editor, firefox , and whatever little else I use will look and work exactly the same to me if its on windows 8, 7 , or linux. The only thing that holds me on windows now is steam.

atrwz - 09-01-2011, 12:48 PM
- Reply
its ugly!

iLOVENZB - 09-02-2011, 09:16 AM
- Reply
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2...e-desktop.aspx

Sporkk - 09-02-2011, 03:15 PM
- Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p92QfWOw88I

Appzalien - 09-03-2011, 04:46 PM
- Reply
I want XP2. Vista sucked, 7 is just a fixed version of Vista, and it appears 8 will just be more change for change sake. XP became the most popular version of windows ever and they just threw it out the Windows. Ribbons belong is womens hair not in an OS.

tesco - 09-04-2011, 05:17 PM
- Reply
Originally Posted by Appzalien

I want XP2. Vista sucked, 7 is just a fixed version of Vista, and it appears 8 will just be more change for change sake. XP became the most popular version of windows ever and they just threw it out the Windows. Ribbons belong is womens hair not in an OS.

What's wrong with 7? I find a lot of 7's features very useful.
You can stick with XP if you want nobody is forcing you to change.