Windows Insider Beta Channel 22631.2215 Lost a Feature in File Explorer (Hope It's Temporary)

A new problem.

I got updated yesterday (8/23/2023) to 22631.2215 Beta Channel which enabled hiding the system tray clock so I can use T-Clock 5.4.1.1 instead, so that's good. But then I noticed a feature went missing. In File Explorer, I used to be able to highlight multiple MP3 files, and the Details Pane would show the total duration (Length) of all the combined audio files. This was useful because I work on a project where we want to stay close to four hours of material every day. Now the Details Pane just says, "(Folder name and number of items) Select a single file to get more information and share your cloud content." This makes the Details Pane rather useless now. (I complained on the Feedback Hub, but Paul Thurrott over on Windows Weekly podcast maintains that Microsoft pays no attention to that.)

The desired info can be obtained by right-clicking the highlighted files and selecting Properties and Details. The total Length will show there, but that's too many clicks. The other option is to do it on my parallel Windows 10 PC right next to me to my left where it works just like it always did.

I thought this problem might have to do with the fact that the folder in question was also on OneDrive, and maybe making files "available," but they don't actually download unless you click on them to use. (That's how my Win 10 via virtual machine on my Linux laptop is set up.) But in this case, the files are actually present on this main PC at all times. I also tried a drive that is not on OneDrive, but the same behavior is there, too.

Harumph.

I just checked - while I'm also on 22621.2215, I'm not on an Insider's Preview beta build, but I am on the beta / preview build of the KB that installed 2215 on my system.

In looking at a folder I have of a few MP3s, it is working fine here on a local folder.


This is for a single file. The file lengths are 5:36, 4:24, 5:37, 2:53 and 1:47 for tracks 1 through 5.



This is for all 5 files.

Have you tried rebooting?

In the meantime I'll try putting this folder into OneDrive and see if it changes.

johnlgalt said:

Have you tried rebooting?

Click to expand...

Yes. So far no joy. I'm not seeing how this is an improvement. What you are illustrating is what I used to see. I read elsewhere that they're rolling out a "new" (and exciting) Details Pane, so maybe this isn't the final incarnation.

In the meantime I've gone up to Insider Beta 22621.2262, which included a double reboot, but that didn't change this issue.

I've uploaded that folder to my OneDrive account, and using Windows Explorer to view it in OneDrive folder, I'm still seeing the totals if I select more than one file.

I've tried with all sorts of random multiple file selections in that folder, and it always adjusts the totals automatically in the Details pane.

pgchase4570 said:

Yes. So far no joy. I'm not seeing how this is an improvement. What you are illustrating is what I used to see. I read elsewhere that they're rolling out a "new" (and exciting) Details Pane, so maybe this isn't the final incarnation.

In the meantime I've gone up to Insider Beta 22621.2262, which included a double reboot, but that didn't change this issue.

Click to expand...

I'm complaining on the Feedback Hub almost every day about this. The more this goes on, the more I hate it.

Here's today's post to the Feedback Hub:

"With the new Details Pane turned on, it's impossible to scroll with the keyboard through a list of files in Explorer without the Details Pane stealing focus away from the main Explorer page, and stopping on each file. The only relief is to turn off Details Pane by clicking on it's icon in the upper right of the screen. Details Pane is over-powering and ruining the experience. Also, Details Pane no longer displays the cumulative duration (Length) of multiple highlighted audio (MP3) files. This is a lost feature, and makes Details Pane less useful."

Maybe ExplorerPatcher will address this.

It's just weird that it works perfectly fine over here.

Maybe it is related to the number of files? Do you have a folder with only 4 or 5 files in it to test with?

If not, give me a typical folder with # of files (I don't want to assume, as I could try a normal full length album, but maybe you're using less or more files for the group to find he total length, and there may be a threshold where it breaks). I've got albums (singles) with 4-5 like above, and I have double length albums, with as many as 40-45 tracks in a single folder. I have more than enough space in OneDrive to test, as well.

I have left Windows 11, and went back to 10. I will stay there for as long as possible.

You've got a minimum of 2 years lol. You have nothing to worry about for at least that long, so that is a good choice if it works the way it is supposed to. I'm sticking with 11, but I'll not ever say everyone else should - it's personal preference. As long as Microsoft supports it, it's all good.

I wish issues like this got more attention. I am quite annoyed that since an update a couple months ago I can no longer see the duration of multiple media files in the details pane. I'm a person who still works on compiling music CDs, video DVDs and blu-rays and it's extra steps now to find out the total duration. I can't imagine what was possibly gained by removing this feature. I've put up with all kinds of nonsense since "upgrading" to 11 back in January and to find features actually disappearing is really disturbing.

Don't waste your time with that Feedback Hub nonsense!
StartAllBack - Windows 7 style - Details Pane on the bottom...

Thanks Edwin. I recall there was some other reason I was going to try something like StartAllBack, but can't remember now. Already installed and purchased a license, not even gonna wait the 100 days lol It looks great!

Edit: it was the idiotic truncated menus! I move and copy a lot of files too. This fixed that problem as well.