In a future version of Windows 11, the gallery function may be built into the new Explorer. Gallery, hidden in the latest Windows 11 developer build 25300, displays images in an attractive format right in the file manager, allows you to view them by date and perform a search. An Albacore researcher discovered a gallery he says is based on the XAML markup language in the new WASDK (Windows App SDK)-based Explorer.
Hidden within build 25300 is something Longhorn’s shell designers wished to one day see in production — a XAML based photo gallery right inside File Explorer. Not as flashy as Phodeo, but I’d say it still counts. Timeline scrollbar & configurable photo source list. pic.twitter.com/Nbdqjm65pa
— Albacore (@thebookisclosed) February 19, 2023
The file manager itself on WASDK, like its built-in gallery, is disabled by default in Windows 11 Build 25300. But changes in the registry make the program available.
The new Explorer looks pretty much the same as the default Explorer, with the same icons, colors, and layout. The only noticeable difference at first glance is an icon in the taskbar with the message: You are viewing the Windows App SDK version of Explorer.
The gallery icon appears under the Home icon in the left pane. When clicked, it shows thumbnails of images from the image library, sorted by file date. On the right, a list of years is available – when you click on its item, the gallery rewinds to the corresponding year. There is a search box in the upper right corner of the window.
So far, it seems that search can only identify images by file name, which isn’t very useful in real life when you’re dumping loads of nameless photos from your smartphone or camera. It is obvious that the function has not yet been refined to its final form.
By default, only images from the OneDrive image library are uploaded to the gallery, but you can add other folders by clicking the “Location” button in the open gallery.
Albacore warned that the Explorer on WASDK is unstable and crashed several times during testing. However, it does indicate that Microsoft is working on a new explorer and gallery that we’ll likely see in the next production build of Windows 11.
How to enable the new Explorer and Gallery in Windows 11 25300
To try the Windows 11 XAML Gallery and WASDK File Explorer, you must first install the build number listed. In order not to risk the performance of the computer, it is better to do it with the help of a virtual machine
1. You must be a member of the Windows Insider program and Windows 11 Build 25300.
2. Change this registry value from 0 to 1: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.40729001_cw5n1h2txyewy\Compatible.
By default, this registry value is locked for modification, to open it, you need to set ownership of the registry key to Administrators.
3. Download ViVeTool from github and extract it to a folder (eg: C:Vivetool).
4. Run a command prompt as administrator and navigate to this folder by typing cd C:\vivetool.
5. Enter the following commands, pressing Enter after each one.
- ViveTool.exe /enable /id:40729001
- ViveTool.exe /enable /id:40731912
- ViveTool.exe /enable /id:41969252
- ViveTool.exe /enable /id:42922424
- ViveTool.exe /enable /id:41040327
- ViveTool.exe /enable /id:42295138
- ViveTool.exe /enable /id:42105254
Each of these identifiers is an optional feature or dependency that is not available in the Control Panel or elsewhere. ViVetool allows you to include these functions by their IDs. You can also disable them by replacing /enable with /disable.
6. Restart the computer.
After restarting, a pizza slice icon will appear in Explorer to indicate that you are using WASDK Explorer. The gallery icon should appear in the left panel.
Windows 11 allow ending processes by right-clicking on the taskbar – the option appeared in test build 25300
Source: Tom’s Hardware
