ISSUE 19.14 • 2022-04-04 WINDOWS 11 By Lance Whitney You can squeeze more features and flexibility out of Windows 11 with the right utility programs.
[See the full post at: 5 free utilities to help you get more out of Windows 11]
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5 free utilities to help you get more out of Windows 11
Home » Forums » Newsletter and Homepage topics » 5 free utilities to help you get more out of Windows 11
- This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 1 month, 1 week ago.
AuthorTopicLance Whitney
AskWoody_MVPApril 4, 2022 at 2:45 am #2436623Viewing 4 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
astro46
AskWoody PlusApril 4, 2022 at 11:14 am #2436755nice article about utilities. I downloaded the current powertoys and look forward to using the Always on Top and Search and Replace utilities.
I would like to try the Files app, (mostly for the dual windows feature) but having to download from windows store is a non starter for me. I have had negative experiences with windows store in the past, eg: it refusing to download and run apps unless I allow the store to run in background and update whenever it wants. Apps (other than anti-virus) auto updating is not allowed on my systems.
Is there another source to downloading the Files app? I have searched unsuccessfully for it.
2 users thanked author for this post.
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NetDef
AskWoody_MVPApril 4, 2022 at 11:21 am #2436758The Files GitHub page offers a “sideload” download, which bypasses the MS Store but still installs in the “UWP App” mode. That process also requires the user to enable developer mode in Windows Settings.
There does not appear to be a traditional installer.
~ Group "Weekend" ~
2 users thanked author for this post.
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NetDef
AskWoody_MVPApril 4, 2022 at 11:14 am #2436756PowerToys has been part of my new system install process for years.
A good landing page to bookmark for this set of tools is the release list, which always shows the latest version on top. (the article linked directly to a previous version)
https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases
~ Group "Weekend" ~
1 user thanked author for this post.
kintigh
GuestApril 4, 2022 at 2:42 pm #2436814I spent 15 or 20 minutes experimenting with the Files app recommended here. There is way too much white space in the Files detail layout and therefore a lot less information, and there seems to be no way to compress the layout. When I’m managing files I like to see as much as possible. In dual pane view of Files if you delete a column in the Detail layout it appears that you can’t add it back on the right hand column. I could never figure out a way to fix that.
I tried Files to see how it compares with xplorer2 that I have been happily using on a daily basis for 10 years. There really is no comparison; for me, xplorer2 is 1000x better than Files. The basic file management functions of xplorer2 (free or paid) that I use all the time are way more intuitive and usable than Files. Even the free version has lots of very useable additional features in the free version with even more in the paid version.
1 user thanked author for this post.
astro46
AskWoody PlusApril 4, 2022 at 3:12 pm #2436848The Files GitHub page offers a “sideload” download, which bypasses the MS Store but still installs in the “UWP App” mode. That process also requires the user to enable developer mode in Windows Settings.
There does not appear to be a traditional installer.
thanks, but i am not seeing a sideload, download option at the ‘files’ github page. also, this is likely beyond me,. I don’t know what uwp or developer mode means.
i’ll stick with the regular win10 file manager.
Lars220
AskWoody PlusApril 6, 2022 at 7:12 pm #2437509Thanks Lance Whitney, Winaero Tweaker is one of my favorite Windows utilities also. I used Winaero Tweaker to bring back Windows Photo Viewer in Win 10, and it is possible in Win 11 also, with one click:
“You can enable Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 11, if you are not happy with the default Photos app used since Windows 10. Microsoft is using the Photos app as the default image viewer. Luckily, the classic Windows Photo Viewer remains available. You just need to activate it to get it working. – Quick tip: Winaero Tweaker users can enable Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 11 with one click. In the left pane of the app, navigate to Get Classic Apps > Activate Windows Photo Viewer.”
https://winaero.com/how-to-enable-windows-photo-viewer-in-windows-11/
Yes, I realize that multitudes of people and others have their favorite viewers, especially including FastStone Image Viewer, IrfanView, XnView, and others. Just sharing my love (of Winaero Tweaker) with you.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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