Microsoft has updated the icons used in File Explorer to be the new Fluent icons, and while they look great, there is a tradeoff between design and functionality.
Microsoft announced last year that they were beginning a process of migrating the existing Windows 10 icons to their Fluent design system, which is supported in Windows, iOS, Android, and web applications.
As a teaser, Microsoft released an image that illustrates the new Fluent icons coming to Windows 10.
Some of these icons, such as Calendar, Mail, File Explorer, Your Phone, and OneDrive, have already made it into the public releases of Windows 10.
New File Explorer Fluent icons revealed
With the release of the Windows 10 Insider build 21343, Microsoft has unveiled their new Fluent Icons for File Explorer that represent drives and the frequently used Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders, as shown below.
Below you can see a before and after comparison of the existing frequently used folder icons with the upcoming Fluent icons.
Below are the new File Explorer driver icons coming with the Fluent redesign.
Unfortunately, with a greater aesthetic comes a loss of functionality as the new icons no longer provide a preview of a folder's contents.
As you can see below, the new Fluent icons use a flat structure that does not offer a preview, while the current icons give a preview of the types of files stored in the folder.
This loss of functionality has not been lost on users who have stated that the folders no longer show previews.
"Those new folders no longer show a preview of the files inside on them. Another functionality removed, MS fanboys rejoice!, " a user noted on WindowsLatest.
Comments
Mallissin - 3 years ago
The preview system was dangerous so I for one do not mind it disappearing.
pasila - 3 years ago
Proper research must have been done, right. I looked at pictures folder and was thinking envelope. What percentage of people answers 'pictures' when they see folder and question is ' What files are inside that folder?'
Another example is Outlook-symbol with tiny o and someting blurred blue.
kodo - 3 years ago
One of my most cherished, long time folder that I have, is my System_Icons folder. Every time I need to cleanly reinstall Windows again, I quickly copy and paste, that folder into the Windows OS folder where it resides for the duration. In this folder are icons that I approve of, dating back to before Windows XP, the first OS I used. As soon as I am able to merge Windows my-User folders with the real folders in my personal drive, my Desktop blossoms with life. I love the 66 sharp icons currently on my desktop!
The fluent design, from its first reveal, did not find favor with me. The ultimate(?) graphic detailing, found in many Windows 7 icons, that made icons appear polished and 3 dimensional, matured their appearance in my eye, mind and heart. Even some pre XP icons have some detail and uniqueness that appeals to me today.
But, the "fluent frequent folders" icons shown in this article, are a way back, throwback to the beginnings of graphics and GUI.
TanyaC - 3 years ago
I wish M$ would spend more time testing patches and updates before releasing them to avoid the constant stream of breakages instead of retro-grading their interface. How something looks oft times does not improve overall performance of the OS, in fact, as with this case, reduces functionality.
M$ - Please focus on what is important instead of this chaff!
TsVk! - 3 years ago
I think they should make it all purple and make the background purple by default, then to change it back you should have to click at least 7 times through the settings menu to find something that is named abstract enough that you cannot tell what it does before you click it, the pop up box should then read "Are you sure you don't want to do this?" and the response button should be exactly the same as the background.
And in return they should give us all the settings controls back and sleep well knowing they truly screwed the most important part of Windows for users, the interface, but at least sysadmins are sleeping well at night.