With the release of Windows 11, many users who have recently migrated from Windows 10 have noticed some changes in how shortcuts are displayed in File/Open dialogs in File Explorer. In this article, we will discuss the key concepts behind these changes and provide some context.
Directory Shortcuts in Windows 11
Directory shortcuts are links to folders that can be created and used in Windows. They provide a quick way to access frequently used folders without having to navigate through the file system every time. In Windows 11, the way these shortcuts are displayed in File/Open dialogs has changed.
Shortcuts in the Address Bar
In Windows 11, shortcuts to folders that are located in the current user's profile (i.e., in the "C:\Users\{username}" directory) will be displayed in the Address bar of File Explorer when using a File/Open dialog. This means that when you open a File/Open dialog, you will see the name of the shortcut instead of the actual folder path. For example, if you have a shortcut to the "Desktop" folder named "My Desktop", you will see "My Desktop" in the Address bar instead of "C:\Users\{username}\Desktop".
Shortcuts in the Navigation Pane
Shortcuts to folders that are located in other locations (i.e., not in the current user's profile) will still be displayed in the Navigation pane of File Explorer. This means that you will see the actual folder path in the Navigation pane, but the shortcut will still function as expected when clicked.
File Dialogs in Windows 11
File Dialogs are used to open, save, or interact with files in Windows. In Windows 11, the default behavior of File Dialogs has not changed significantly compared to Windows 10. However, there are some differences in how certain features are presented.
Browse for Folder
When using the "Browse for Folder" button in a File Dialog, the default behavior is to display the current folder in the dialog. However, you can still use the "Browse" button to navigate to other folders. In the "Address Bar" field, you will see the name of the current folder, but the actual folder path will be displayed below it.
File Type Filters
File Type filters are used to limit the types of files that can be selected in a File Dialog. In Windows 11, the way these filters are displayed has changed. Instead of being displayed as a dropdown list, they are now displayed as checkboxes next to each file type. This makes it easier to select multiple file types at once.
In conclusion, the changes to directory shortcuts and File Dialogs in Windows 11 are mainly cosmetic and do not affect their functionality. The new behavior of displaying shortcut names in the Address bar of File Explorer can take some getting used to, but it does not pose any significant issues. Overall, these changes are intended to make the user experience more consistent and intuitive.