Windows 8 Explorer Ribbon (Toolbar)
Hopefully by now you are accustomed to the infamous Microsoft Office ribbon, because it’s making the jump to a full-time position within Windows 8. We’re also seeing the return of a beloved old friend: the UP button.
Windows 8 Minimized Explorer Toolbar
If you’d prefer to ditch the ribbon and gain precious vertical screen real-estate, then the minimized mode offers you emancipation. This feature comes at the bequest of well, everyone… According to market research from Microsoft, 83% of Windows 7 PC users are on a 1366 x 768 screen resolution, a popular laptop resolution. And, while desktop users might be on a larger monitor, they are still in the widescreen 1.3 format.
Windows 7 Explorer Toolbar
Compare the difference. What are some of the big changes you notice between Windows 7 and Windows 8?
Windows 7 Vertical Space Vs. Windows 8 Vertical Space
As you can see in the screenshot below, Windows 8 Explorer doesn’t sacrifice any vertical space by introducing a full-blown ribbon. In fact, Windows 8 has even more space than Windows 7 did; it can fit 2 more files within the exact same resolution as Windows 7.
Overall the changes to explorer are looking pretty good, and it is mostly finished. There are still a few tweaks left to do, but Microsoft is sticking to it’s guns and this round it is looking to make the latest version of Explorer all about the experience for regular AND power users –even if that means admitting they were wrong to remove old features like the UP button. Microsoft’s Official Development Plan for Explorer Goals of the new Windows Explorer We set out to accomplish three main goals with this new version of Explorer. 1 – Optimize Explorer for file management tasks. Return Explorer to its roots as an efficient file manager and expose some hidden gems, those file management commands already in Explorer that many customers might not even know exist. 2 – Create a streamlined command experience. Put the most used commands in the most prominent parts of the UI so they are easy to find, in places that make sense and are reliable. Organize the commands in predictable places and logical groupings according to context, and present relevant information right where you need it. 3 – Respect Explorer’s heritage. Maintain the power and richness of Explorer and bring back the most relevant and requested features from the Windows XP era when the current architecture and security model of Windows permits. We evaluated several different UI command affordances including expanded versions of the Vista/Windows 7 command bar, Windows 95/Windows XP style toolbars and menus, several entirely new UI approaches, and the Office style ribbon. Of these, the ribbon approach offered benefits in line with our goals:
Provides the ability to put the most important commands in very prominent, front and center locations.Makes it easy to find commands predictably and reliably. Every important file management command could be given a home in the ribbon, and customers would always know where to look for them.Exposes a large set of commands (~200) in one easy and consistent experience and organizes commands into scenario-focused groups without the use of nested menus, popups, dialogs, and right-click menus.Aids command identification with support for grouping, a variety of button sizes and icons, and aids deeper investigation with live previews and expanded tooltips.Takes a similar approach to Office, Microsoft Paint, and Windows Live Essentials, which means that many of our customers will be familiar with the model and not have a lot to learn.Provides a consistent, reliable UI that doesn’t degrade over time like traditional toolbar and menu-based user interfaces do. See Jensen’s earlier blog on this topic from the development of the ribbon.
I assume that “tools -> options” will be at the bottom of the “File” menu like it is in Office 2010? Unless there’s a better way to turn on hidden file and known extension views in W8? Oh, and given that the Windows 7 status bar can be re-sized, it might not be true that the W8 explorer has more space than W7 (though it probably does with the minimized toolbar). Comment Name * Email *
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