If you're a solo user on Windows looking for a modern file management experience, go for Files. Its WinUI 3 interface, dual panes, and tagging features offer an upgraded browsing experience compared to File Explorer. However, if you need cross-platform capabilities or require advanced scripting and FTP functionalities, you should steer clear of Files.
On the other hand, if you're a developer or part of a small team needing robust code editing capabilities across multiple platforms, Visual Studio Code is the way to go. Its extensive extension ecosystem and integrated tools make it versatile for various programming tasks. Just be aware that it may consume more memory due to its Electron base, so if minimizing resource use is your priority, it might not be your best choice.