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The visualisation concept was in evidence in Longhorn's new, translucent file manager Window. The folder metaphor of XP's Windows Explorer remains in place, but the folders are now oriented vertically and appear to be open a crack, much like a book with its pages partially exposed. But inside, instead of seeing generic icons for files such as a Word document, Longhorn presents snapshots of the first page in each document. Double click on the folder and you can see thumbnails for each file that can be magnified by enlarging the window. Using this method, users can navigate to documents based on what they look like.

Virtual foldes present documents that meet the results of a given XML query. Queries can be constructed based on keywords or other metadata attributes, but users don't see that: they can create their own virtual folders using a simple point-and-click interface. In Windows XP, the "My Documents" folder includes only the files physically located in that folder. In Longhorn "My Documents" can collect all documents on the computer into a single virtual folder view, regardless of location.

Microsoft has also added a concept it calls "stacking," which presents documents grouped by keyword. Instead of folders, documents appear in a stack that can be opened and navigated by double clicking on it. The List Pane feature allows a user to assemble groups of files by dragging them into the list. Lists can be saved and viewed along with other documents.