New Windows 10 file explorer icons favor design over function



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Windows 10

Microsoft has updated the icons used in File Explorer to become the new Fluent icons, and while they look great, there is a trade-off between design and functionality.

Microsoft announced last year that they were starting a process of migrating existing Windows 10 icons to their Fluent design system, which is supported in Windows, iOS, Android, and web apps.

As a teaser, Microsoft released an image that illustrates the new Fluent icons coming to Windows 10.

Windows 10 Fluent Icons
Windows 10 Fluent Icons

Some of these icons, such as Calendar, Mail, File Explorer, Your Phone, and OneDrive, have already been incorporated into public versions of Windows 10.

New Fluent File Explorer icons revealed

With the release of Windows 10 Insider version 21343, Microsoft unveiled its new Fluent icons for File Explorer that represent frequently used Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos drives and folders, as shown below. below.

Windows 10 File Explorer with New Fluent Icons
Windows 10 File Explorer with New Fluent Icons

Below, you can see a before and after comparison of frequently used folder icons with the upcoming Fluent icons.

Current frequent cases (top) vs current cases (bottom)
Current files and current frequent files

Below are the new File Explorer driver icons that came with the Fluent redesign.

Current vs Fluent Player Icons
Current vs Fluent Player Icons

Unfortunately, a greater aesthetic results in a loss of functionality as the new icons no longer provide a preview of the contents of a folder.

As you can see below, the new Fluent icons use a flat structure that does not offer a preview, while the current icons provide an overview of the types of files stored in the folder.

Current folder icons vs Fluent
Current and Fluent Folder Icons

This loss of functionality was not lost on users who reported that folders no longer show previews.

“These new folders no longer show a preview of the files they contain. Another feature removed, MS fanboys rejoice!” Noted one user on WindowsLatest.

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