Microsoft Starts Rolling Out File Explorer Tabs to Windows 11 Testers

The latest preview build includes this feature

Tab support in File Explorer has long been the top feature request on Windows. And while Microsoft at one point planned to bring it to users with the introduction of Sets, the work on this front was eventually abandoned.

Not a long time ago, it was discovered that Microsoft started the work on File Explorer tabs once again, with preview builds coming with evidence the development of the feature was making good progress. Now it looks like the software giant has started the rollout of this feature to the first insiders, as someone on reddit claims tabs have been enabled in File Explorer after the installation of the latest cumulative update shipped as part of the Dev channel.

In other words, the tabs are said to be enabled in Windows 11 Dev build 22579.100, despite Microsoft claiming this update was only supposed to help test the servicing pipeline with no changes over the main build launched last week.

The return of tabs in File Explorer

While Microsoft is yet to release an announcement on the debut of tabs in File Explorer, it now looks like the company is silently pushing the feature to users. It’s seemingly enabled by default, as tabs in File Explorer were previously discovered in early March, though not enabled.

Microsoft discontinued Sets many years ago, but at that point, the company claimed tabs in File Explorer would still return at a later time.

“We’re taking Sets offline to continue making it great. Based on your feedback, some of the things we’re focusing on include improvements to the visual design and continuing to better integrate Office and Microsoft Edge into Sets to enhance workflow. If you have been testing Sets, you will no longer see it as of today’s build, however, Sets will return in a future WIP flight. Thanks again for your feedback,” the software giant announced in a message published online no less than 4 years ago.