Microsoft continues moving forward with their work on the next feature update for Windows 10 under the code name 19H1.

This update is expected to become available as the seventh feature update for the operating system in the March/April 2019 timeframe.

This latest release, Build 12890, continues a trend of focusing on fit and finish type adjustments rather than adding big chunks of new features. As I have said on Twitter before, this may be the best path forward for the 19H1 feature update after the rough releases surrounding the April and October 2018 Updates this year.

Some areas that we have already highlighted in recent 19H1 builds include the new Windows Light theme, inbox app related updates, and other tweaks to the UI. Microsoft’s own release notes for Windows 10 19H1 Build 12890 shows this latest build contains a variety of tweaks that are inline with what appears to be a continued effort to make small adjustments during the development process instead of introducing great big new features.

As I poke around these new builds, not only am I taking a look at the tweaks that are listed on those release notes, but I also look to find the items that are not listed publicly.

In Build 12890, one change I came across relates to the Last modified column in File Explorer. 

The easiest way to show you this change is to compare what this column looks like in the October 2018 Update and in this latest 19H1 build:

File Explorer in Windows 10 October 2018 Update

File Explorer in Windows 10 19H1 Build 12890

As you can see, modified column now lists the month and day of the last change to the listed files, and in what seems like the case of any files changed in the last 48 to 72 hours or so, also have the time listed next to that date. In Windows 10 Version 1809, this column lists the numerical date and time on all files listed.

Personally, for my style of work, this change is quite nice and works for me. I like the listing by month and date as it is easier to see at a glance. When I shared this on Twitter earlier today, some do not like the option without having the time stamp on all of the listed files because of their own work flows and needs.

Right now there is no apparent way to change the format of this column but that could change in future 19H1 builds. Of course, since this is pre-release software, the change could also be reverted or further modified down the road based on feedback. A follower on Twitter also indicated they do not see this new formatting in their version of File Explorer on Windows 10 19H1 Build 18290. That would indicate this is likely being A/B tested among Windows Insiders which is a fairly standard process in the development of Windows 10.

Finally, as I was poking around comparing the columns in File Explorer between this 19H1 build and Windows 10 Version 1809, I noticed the filter/sort dialogs for these columns in File Explorer for the first time. I find it quite amazing to discover these small little features as I use Windows.

Apparently, according to feedback from others on social media, these new dialogs existed in the Windows Vista and Windows 7 versions of the OS as well.

Learning something new everyday!

Update (30 November 2018): Thanks to one of my Twitter followers, @Leopeva64, I have two new pieces of information about this new date format for File Explorer.

Folder Options in Windows 10 19H1 Build 18290

If you open up Folder Options > View tab, you will see a new entry labelled Show dates in conversational format which will toggle this new option on and off. The image above shows Windows 10 19H1 Build 18290 displaying the dates in the standard format we have seen in the past.

So yes, as many asked on social media when I shared these images the other day, there is an option to turn this tweak on and off.

Second, I missed this line in the release notes for Windows 10 19H1 Build 18277 from earlier in November:

“Some Insiders may notice small differences in File Explorer over the coming flights – we’ll have more to share later about this later.”

So it is very possible that not only this small tweak has been added but we may see other enhancements added as we continue receiving updated builds.

Thanks Leo for the tip.

Note: I included images of these filter/sort dialogs in the gallery just in case you have also never seen them before.

File Explorer in Windows 10 (19H1) Build 12890 Screenshot Gallery