Files 4.0.20 adds archive extraction upgrades and improved operation feedback

The free open-source Files app has launched version 4.0.20, introducing several improvements especially for archive handling and general workflow. The Extract Archive dialog now lets users type or paste destination paths and includes a dropdown with recently used locations, making repeat extractions easier.

The Status Center adds a Discovering phase to show when the app is scanning items before starting an operation, replacing the old frozen looking state. The Cancel button has also been moved into a menu flyout to reduce clutter and avoid accidental clicks. Users can now hide the status bar for a cleaner interface, and files and folders have separate single click open settings for more flexible navigation.

Archive extraction progress now appears reliably, multi part RAR archives provide clearer error messages, and common shell locations like Recycle Bin load correctly at startup. The app also detects environment variable changes without needing a restart, while Columns View gains stability improvements across context menus, scrolling, and search interactions. Additional smaller improvements are also included.

If you have not tried it yet, Files is a great alternative to the native Windows File Explorer, especially now that even the company itself has admitted how bloated it is.