Windows 11 File Explorer Gets Long-Awaited File Size Readability and Context Menu Fixes
Windows 11's File Explorer is about to become significantly more user-friendly with two key improvements: a revamped file size display that finally makes large file sizes easy to read at a glance, and the return of two popular options—Refresh and Print—to the modern right-click context menu. These changes, currently being tested in the latest preview build, promise to streamline everyday file management tasks for millions of users.
Restored Right-Click Menu Items
When Microsoft introduced the streamlined context menu in Windows 11, several frequently used actions were moved behind a secondary “Show more options” entry, frustrating many users. Now, two of those missing items—Refresh and Print—are making a comeback directly in the main right-click menu.
Refresh
The Refresh option, essential for immediately updating folder contents without pressing F5, had been inexplicably absent from File Explorer’s modern context menu (though it remained on the desktop). According to a post by well-known Windows leaker phantomeofearth on social media, the Refresh button is now being added to all modern File Explorer context menus in preview build 26300.8376.
This change means users no longer have to dig into the legacy menu or remember a keyboard shortcut to refresh a folder—a small but highly practical quality-of-life improvement.
Similarly, the Print action, which previously only appeared in the legacy context menu, will now also be available directly from the modern menu. As reported by Windows Latest, this allows users to quickly print a file (such as a document or image) without an extra click. For anyone who regularly prints files from File Explorer, this simple addition can save considerable time over the course of a workday.
Improved File Size Display
One of the most perplexing quirks of Windows 11’s File Explorer has been the way it displayed file sizes. Large files—say, an 8GB video—were listed as a massive number like 8,388,608 KB, making it difficult to quickly gauge the actual size. This numerical clutter forced users to mentally convert kilobytes to megabytes or gigabytes.
With the latest update, File Explorer now intelligently formats file sizes. Files over 1 MB will display in megabytes (e.g., “8.0 GB” instead of “8,388,608 KB”), and those over 1 GB in gigabytes. Smaller files still show in kilobytes where appropriate. The result is a far more scannable file list, allowing users to assess storage at a glance without squinting at long strings of digits.
This change aligns Windows 11 with common user expectations and brings it closer to how macOS and other operating systems have long handled file size display.
When Will the Changes Be Implemented?
All of the features described above are currently included in Windows 11 preview build 26300.8376, which is being tested by Windows Insiders. According to Windows Latest, Microsoft expects these improvements to roll out to general Windows users in the coming weeks, assuming no major issues are discovered during testing.
While there is no exact release date, the fact that these changes are already in a relatively stable preview build suggests they could appear in a cumulative update or feature drop soon.
Upgrade Considerations
If you’re using Windows 11 Home, you may be missing out on the advanced features of Windows 11 Pro, such as BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, and more. For details, see our comparison of Windows 11 Home vs. Pro. Those interested in upgrading can find discounted licenses in the PCWorld Software Store, currently priced at $59 instead of $99.
In summary, these File Explorer refinements demonstrate Microsoft’s continued effort to refine the Windows 11 user experience, addressing long-standing annoyances with straightforward, practical fixes.