This third-party file explorer beat Microsoft to the punch yet again

The Files app now supports vertical and horizontal orientation when using dual pane mode.

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What you need to know

What you need to know

Third-party file explorer “Files” just received an update that makes dual pane mode more versatile. The app can now display dual panes vertically as well as horizontally. Previously, the app could only show dual panes side-by-side. The update brings Files to version 3.6 and includes several fixes and a few other new features, such as adding an “Actions” menu to the app’s title bar.

Dual pane mode creates to areas within Files that you can navigate. It looks and acts similar tosplit screen mode in Microsoft Edge. The advantage of dual pane mode is that you don’t have to deal with duplicate versions of navigation elements or swap between tabs.

Files |$8.99 at Microsoft Store

This third-party file management app is gorgeous. It also packs in many features that are not available in Microsoft’s official File Explorer on Windows 11. The latest update adds a vertical orientation when using dual pane mode and brings in several other features and fixes.

Before the recent update, Files only supported a horizontal orientation when using dual pane mode. Of course, that was already one more orientation than the official Windows 11 File Explorer from Microsoft, which does not have a dual pane mode. You can somewhat replicate dual pane mode by opening two instances of File Explorer, but that’s not as elegant of a solution.

The developer of Files details all of the app’s new features and fixes in thereleases page of the app’s GitHub listing.

Files v3.6: What’s new

Files v3.6: What’s fixed

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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.