GitHub has enhanced its functionality, allowing users to edit files in repositories they do not have write access to by introducing a 'Fork and edit file' button. This feature enables users to suggest changes to files in another person's repository by forking the project automatically if needed, making edits, and then seamlessly creating a pull request to inform the repository owner of the proposed changes. This streamlined process facilitates quicker collaboration by allowing users to make and submit changes to any visible file within seconds.