Windows 11's new File Explorer Details pane regression: Metadata is not editable.

Anonymous

as the title states: Windows 11's new File Explorer Details pane regression Metadata is not editable.

I utilize the details pane constantly and now I can no longer edit the comments through it. I have to open the properties on each individual item and go along so slowly it's frustrating. Is there a way to expand the Details pane for the entire 'details' to show? This is upsetting to musicians and photographers as well, as the pane is also used for watermarking and as one disgruntled user wrote 'I catalogue a lot of photos and being able to quickly edit the Date Taken field for multiple images at once was a real time saver. They've ruined this actual useful functionality' So I'm not the only one who NEEDS this function back...

I have a massive number of documents, photos etc., that I need the source for when accessed. I use the details pane in the file manager / Comments to label them with detailed source information. Now I have to open and do this with each single photo? Multiple pages of Wills, Land Grants and the like?!?!

I am in such HATE now that I've found this thread and no longer think I'm going crazy. We need the OLD way or a workaround.

Media: Just in ONE tree: 12,800 and I know I'm on the bottom of any list of media users

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Les Ferch 10,361 Volunteer Moderator

While the latest release of Explorer in Windows 11 does not support editing the properties in the Details pane, you can still edit the properties for multiple files via right-click Properties. You don't have to edit the files one at a time. Just select multiple files, as you always have, and, instead of going to the Details pane, right-click on any one of the selected items and choose Properties (or press Alt-Enter), edit the properties and it will apply to all of the selected files.

Whether Microsoft will bring back the ability to edit properties in the Details pane remains to be seen.

After KB5034204 is installed, the previous methods that were available to restore the old Details pane no longer work. Currently, the only known way to get the old Details pane, is to launch the old Windows 10 Explorer via the Control Panel or by using a small launcher program, such as OldExplorer.

Alternative:

You can use the free tool OldNewExplorer to add the Windows 7 style details pane to the bottom of the Explorer window. This restores the ability to directly edit file properties, albeit in a different orientation.

Here's a screenshot:

The paid program StartAllBack (from the same author) provides the same option plus other features.

Also see SwitchExplorer if you want a free, minimalist method to switch Explorer to the Windows 10 version.

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Anonymous

Hello, Welcome to Microsoft Community.

Thanks for your feedback, I understand your frustration with the new File Explorer Details pane in Windows 11. Unfortunately, the ability to edit metadata directly from the Details pane has been removed in the new version. However, you can still edit metadata by opening the Properties dialog box for each file or folder.

Microsoft attaches great importance to user experience, you can submit your ideas and suggestions through the Feedback Hub, and the development team will regularly review submissions for ideas or fixes.

Please share the feedback link here after submitting as it will allow others on the forum to vote for your submission, including me. More votes will lead to more visibility and higher priority to the development team.

Lugoo Bei | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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98 additional answers

Anonymous

2023-11-30T21:29:38+00:00

Absolutely what this person said. I literally lost a job because Microsoft removed the details from the detail pane. I am paid by several professionals to tag, title and comment on large groups of pictures that they take for their jobs. It used to be a very efficient process to click directly on the details pane and make the updates to multiple pictures at once. The new, tedious process of having to click on multiple pictures at once, then click properties, and go into details is a huge waste of time. You literally took a perfect program and made it massively more difficult. My clients have had to let go of my services because it takes so long to make their edits that it's not cost effective to them.

It's truly the most ridiculous update I've seen. Does anyone actually review these changes before they're just rolled out? I want the program that I paid for when I purchased my laptop, and the same product that I've used for years and years. You can refund me my subscription to Microsoft if you're going to remove programs that make my life easier.

Please advise how I can reverse this.
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Anonymous

2023-11-20T20:46:37+00:00

Thank you for this post, I've been in such RAGE with that new pane!!!!!! Microsoft, <removed>, what's the point in making "improvements" that are in fact REGRESS?? So many people are infuriated right now, you've made our everyday work so much harder..... Thanks a lot :///
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Anonymous

2023-11-30T21:33:11+00:00

I truly don't believe that you can understand my frustration. I lost my job over this ridiculous update. You took a product that has worked perfectly for many years and made it significantly more difficult. The extra time that it takes to update pictures files has cost me my job. Please advise what I can do to revert to the previous functional product that I paid for when I subscribed to Microsoft. You literally stole your product from me, and I want it back.
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