Image: Microsoft
It might soon be easier to scan photos in Windows 11's File Explorer. The latest developer preview for the operating system rolls out with a new Gallery feature. You can view the Photos app's image library while browsing files and folders. This shortcut to Gallery comes with the Windows Insider Build 23435. The company is rolling out the feature gradually and won't come to all Dev Channel Insiders immediately. It is still a beta feature that may or may not get a wider release, but we're crossing our fingers that it does.
When you select Gallery, the main file-browsing window will show thumbnails of the same images you can access from the All Photos view of the Photos app. It's optimized to display your most recent photos if you use OneDrive Camera Roll Backup on your phone.
This feature should make it easier to find specific photos. According to the company, you can choose which folders are viewable through the Collection dropdown. "You can also add subfolders of existing sources to filter to a subset of your content, such as desktop backgrounds and SD card/camera imports." The Gallery feature will also appear as an option in the file-picking dialogue, making it easier to attach images.