[PratikMade]

Has Microsoft finally given the level of access that we need? Would we be finally able to see hidden files, proper file attribution, ability to search PDF files?

[Muessig]

I'm not sure if the level of access you want is in the current build, but we can hope they listen to user voice suggestions and feedback and that they will enable this kind of access.

[illidanx]

Has Microsoft finally given the level of access that we need? Would we be finally able to see hidden files, proper file attribution, ability to search PDF files?

It's not there and given MS' lock-down attitude on windows phone, I can bet my dog that it is never going to be there.

[Legoboyii]

At least ability to change properties for certain files, like that of music files. I'm ok with giving up a lil to keep it secure and locked down. Virus free ftw :)

[Ma Rio]

I don't expect it to happen... too bad. It's gonna be a little better, but still not open.

[Asskickulater]

I don't expect it to happen... too bad. It's gonna be a little better, but still not open.

why would you want/need a file explorer that has access to phone files unless you intend to hack it? all that would do is leave an openning for viruses.. nothing more.

[manicottiK]

Has Microsoft finally given the level of access that we need?

Who are "we"?

My guess is that 95+% of users don't care about hidden files or file attributes? (I might be going out on a limb here, but I suspect that the vast majority don't even know what a file attribute is or have ever seen an attrib command.) So, given that, I suspect that Microsoft will finally give the level of file access that more than 95% of us need, but that fewer than 5% will remain unhappy that the things that they need aren't yet provided.

[PratikMade]

Hmm but at least I should be able to search PDF files that were transferred to my phone via Bluetooth or open a video file using 3rd party video player and keeping it as the default program for opening video files.

[Ma Rio]

why would you want/need a file explorer that has access to phone files unless you intend to hack it? all that would do is leave an openning for viruses.. nothing more.

Well, here are some reasons.

First - because why the hell not. I like the freedom and the feeling that you CAN do something. Even if I don't want to roam around the file system or change things, the thought that I can satisfies me.
And I like it way more to be able to do something even if it's useless (which this isn't), than to be restricted.

Second - fixing file atributes and stuff. One of the things I hate the most is having to fix all the metadata on my PC. So there's a huge time-loss in the process of connecting your phone, transfering data to the PC (I think you can't do it directly while the files are on the phone), changing everything, then porting it back.
Pictures, videos, music, archives, or anything else.

Third - I like to see how things work. Every now and then I find myself looking at the Windows directory on my PC, searching for something interesting. Trying to figure out what is what, and how it all works. I'd like to do the same on my phone. I was able to do it actually on my Nokia N8 (Symbian), and, man, was it fun!

Fourth - yeah, hacks, why not. And by this I'm talkin all the modification on the system, wether it's good (custom fixes, or anything) or bad (piracy / cracking stuff / real hacks).

I understand most people don't care about those things, but ignoring the other group of people who actually do is plain dull. It shouldn't be top priority, but somewhere on the to-do list.

[PratikMade]

I would totally like if my Windows phone had the type of openness my Windows PC has! Totally Android was built taking inspiration from Windows PC like task manager, changing default programs, multi window, file manager, type of multitasking etc. And I'm not at all saying Android copied Windows, this is just my observation.

[Asskickulater]

Well, here are some reasons.

First - because why the hell not. I like the freedom and the feeling that you CAN do something. Even if I don't want to roam around the file system or change things, the thought that I can satisfies me.
And I like it way more to be able to do something even if it's useless (which this isn't), than to be restricted.

Second - fixing file atributes and stuff. One of the things I hate the most is having to fix all the metadata on my PC. So there's a huge time-loss in the process of connecting your phone, transfering data to the PC (I think you can't do it directly while the files are on the phone), changing everything, then porting it back.
Pictures, videos, music, archives, or anything else.

Third - I like to see how things work. Every now and then I find myself looking at the Windows directory on my PC, searching for something interesting. Trying to figure out what is what, and how it all works. I'd like to do the same on my phone. I was able to do it actually on my Nokia N8 (Symbian), and, man, was it fun!

Fourth - yeah, hacks, why not. And by this I'm talkin all the modification on the system, wether it's good (custom fixes, or anything) or bad (piracy / cracking stuff / real hacks).

I understand most people don't care about those things, but ignoring the other group of people who actually do is plain dull. It shouldn't be top priority, but somewhere on the to-do list.

So, you'd rather sacrifice windows phones fantastic yet to be compromised security.. just so that you can change some metadata on music files and "look" inside and see how the os runs? That looks like a perfectly reasonable trade off...

Lets wreck WP's security because "why the hell not?"

[Steven Curl]

Hate to say it, but Windows Phone and iOS just aren't the right choices if those are your requirements. I enjoy not having to use a task manager, and I bet the majority of users feel the same way.

[Ma Rio]

Maybe I would sacrifice security for it. That doesn't mean I would want MS to completely change WP for everyone, but a developer mode or something would be nice.
Also, I don't think OSes should be for one guy and not for the other. I understand that Android is more open and more friendly to hacking n stuff, but it's stupid to say, Android is for hackers and WP is for dull people who just want to take pictures and make calls/SMSes.

[pankaj981]

One thought baffles me, why choose Windows Phone if you can already get those features with Android? The reason most of us are here are because of Windows phone's simplicity (and user experience, there's tons to add to that). Android is a mature OS TBH and I don't see a reason why one would stick to Windows Phone hoping to get a feature that's readily available on another mature platform

[Ma Rio]

I already said it before. Nowhere has it been said, WP is for these people, and Android is for the others. Nor will it ever be said, because both MS or Google (or anyone else) aren't stupid enough to just cut off a group of users. They are trying to please everyone they can. OFC, Android has some features WP doesn't have and I would be better off with Android if that's important to me. But it's not, it's just something that would be nice to have.

Also, I too like the simplicity of WP and the design, so I'd rather stay here.

And I don't understand why do you people want WP to stay so less features. That doesn't make it good, and adding more features doesn't automaticly remove the simplicity.
Another thing is, I believe most OSes (especially iOS, Android, and WP) are pretty simple, so anyone can learn the most basic things in a matter of minutes. So you can't say Android is complicated and WP is simple.

[PepperdotNet]

I would be satisfied if I could delete the at&t branding.

[PratikMade]

If we want one Windows or one OS to run on every platform at least bring some of the features from PC. Why phone OS mechanism should be different than PC one. It should work and talk like it's one.

[Asskickulater]

I already said it before. Nowhere has it been said, WP is for these people, and Android is for the others. Nor will it ever be said, because both MS or Google (or anyone else) aren't stupid enough to just cut off a group of users. They are trying to please everyone they can. OFC, Android has some features WP doesn't have and I would be better off with Android if that's important to me. But it's not, it's just something that would be nice to have.

Also, I too like the simplicity of WP and the design, so I'd rather stay here.

And I don't understand why do you people want WP to stay so less features. That doesn't make it good, and adding more features doesn't automaticly remove the simplicity.
Another thing is, I believe most OSes (especially iOS, Android, and WP) are pretty simple, so anyone can learn the most basic things in a matter of minutes. So you can't say Android is complicated and WP is simple.

The problem is, you're feature request opens the OS up for viruses, part of what makes WP so secure is that there is no way to access the internal files, if you give an app the ability to access those, then you are making it possible for a malicous app to access it too, there is no reason to add a feature that has so little uses that compromises the security like that.

[pankaj981]

I already said it before..... is complicated and WP is simple.

I'm not generalizing that one platform is meant for a certain group of people and the other one for another, that's a personal choice. What I meant was if Microsoft opens up Root level access for end users/apps then it would open up a whole new space for hackers to exploit, something that hasn't touched Windows Phone yet. Microsoft already allows developer unlocking devices for free and there is a ton of documentation and walk through videos out there to learn Windows Phone development and privileged API access levels. I'm not sure what more could it help outside of giving elevated access privileges to run unsigned code

[Praxius]

It's not there and given MS' lock-down attitude on windows phone, I can bet my dog that it is never going to be there.

I see your dog and raise my mother-in-law's cat

[Torcher Death]

My take on this issue is plain & simple... I not great with tech so I don't want too much access that could later on come back to haunt me. All I ask for is access to a section called Others & the part of Others that's been added to the System since WP 8.1

[Praxius]

I would be satisfied if I could delete the at&t branding.

That right there is probably one of the reasons why it's locked down.

We all know perfectly well how carriers have been slow as snail snot when it comes to releasing cyan/denim updates to WP..... It is not just about user security and prevention of hacking/viruses, but it's also about catering to mobile operators.

If I was a mobile operator, would I sell and support a phone that could allow someone to easily unlock the phone from my services and instantly jump over to the competition?

Would I want to support a phone that could allow hackers and even regular users to see code and sensitive information about my carrier service, etc?

When I add a phone to my service for customers to buy or put on a plan, I have a contract/agreement from the manufacturer to allow me to put my bloatware onto those devices and perhaps get more profit in the process..... Would I really want to add a phone to my selection of devices that could make it that easy for my users to remove on a whim?

It is not just the Users MS has to cater for, they also have to cater to carriers too so they can get their phones to those users through the carriers easier.

In the process, some sacrifices are required.

Comparing a phone to a PC doesn't work.... A PC is something you bought or built yourself and there is no carrier involved in what happens with your PC.

The closest comparison would be being allowed to hop onto the modem your ISP supplied you and being allowed to tinker around with all the programming on that.... Adding, removing files, changing values, hacking it, etc.

Ever try to disconnect the ISP's modem and swapping it for some other random one you bought in a store? Doesn't work very well.

[Alain_A]

If we want one Windows or one OS to run on every platform at least bring some of the features from PC. Why phone OS mechanism should be different than PC one. It should work and talk like it's one.

I have always said that phone should run almost like a PC

My take on this issue is plain & simple... I not great with tech so I don't want too much access that could later on come back to haunt me. All I ask for is access to a section called Others & the part of Others that's been added to the System since WP 8.1

I would like to know too..As of right now, it is files not recognized by the phone that goes there. Then, it say plug it to computer to manage them.....I did just that and I can't find them

That right there is probably one of the reasons why it's locked down.


Comparing a phone to a PC doesn't work.... A PC is something you bought or built yourself and there is no carrier involved in what happens with your PC.

it is true. Still there should be a real files Explorer...for management