Windows 10 ‘Redstone’ update to bring UI changes

Microsoft is preparing the next major overhaul of Windows 10, codenamed “Redstone,” and from the latest leaks it looks like the UI is getting a significant overhaul, something Microsoft usually doesn’t do in OS patches.

One of the features reportedly getting an overhaul is File Explorer, what was previously called Windows Explorer in older versions. The ribbon UI first introduced in Office 2007 was added to the Explorer in Windows 8 and nothing changed in Windows 10. For some people, especially Surface users, this has proven clunky.

Then came this tweet from Peter Skillman, general manager for Core UX for Windows Desktop:

@HUGEMSFAN Yes we are working on a total update of file explorer! Can’t articulate schedule yet. You are right.

peter skillman (@peterskillman) March 18, 2016

Now since he’s in charge of the Windows UI development, he should know if a change is coming. The changes would likely add a lot of touch enablement for Surface as well as some new features users have been asking for.

One of the most popular user requests that didn’t happen in Windows 10 was tabbed windows, like you have in a browser, where you can quickly navigate between different drives and directories.

Another potential change found in Redstone builds is the removal of an older calendar style. Winaero.com noted that in earlier builds of Windows 10, you could make a registry tweak to either use the old Windows 7-style of calendar, which was rather small and compact, or use the bigger, more complex calendar by default.

It’s a small change but it shows Microsoft is looking at everything in Windows 10 and changes won’t wait. It’s also no big deal to me since I use Rainmeter skins that are far nicer than the Windows calendar and clock. I’ve always been amazed and impressed at how much power and versatility Rainmeter offers, especially for a free, open source project.