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Winsage

December 4, 2025

Windows 11’s “fast” File Explorer is slower than ever and hogs more RAM

Microsoft has introduced a background-preloading update for File Explorer in Windows 11 Insider builds to enhance application speed and smoothness. Initial tests indicate that the preloaded version opens more slowly than the standard Explorer in Windows 10, particularly on devices with limited RAM (4-8 GB), leading to sluggish performance during multitasking. Users have reported slower context menus and folder navigation, despite the intended improvements. Preloading is enabled by default in the Insider build, but Microsoft has not confirmed plans for a broader rollout. The update raises concerns about the efficiency of Windows 11's design, as the combination of older Win32 components with newer WinUI elements may compromise core performance. Users relying on File Explorer may experience delays and unresponsiveness, particularly if their systems have limited resources. Microsoft may reconsider its approach to the preloading feature in future Insider builds, and users experiencing slowdowns might consider disabling it or reducing visual effects to improve performance.

Winsage

December 3, 2025

Windows 11 KB5070311 update fixes File Explorer freezes, search issues

Microsoft has released the KB5070311 preview cumulative update for Windows 11, which includes 49 enhancements aimed at improving user experience. This optional update allows IT administrators to preview upcoming bug fixes and features before the official Patch Tuesday rollout. The update addresses several known issues, including unresponsive explorer.exe and taskbar processes, search problems in File Explorer related to SMB shares, and instability in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). To install KB5070311, users can go to Settings, select Windows Update, and click 'Check for Updates'. Users must confirm their intention to install it by selecting 'Download and install', or they can manually download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update elevates Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 devices to builds 26200.7309 and 26100.7309, respectively. Notable enhancements include a broader search results menu, the ability to use Windows Studio Effects with additional cameras, new context menu options for Windows Spotlight backgrounds, and improvements to File Explorer's dark mode experience. Microsoft has announced there will be no preview update in December, with regular updates resuming in January. They are also working on a solution for a known issue where the password sign-in option has disappeared from the lock screen options.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

5 Essential Windows Apps Everyone Should Be Using In 2025

Everything is a free application from Voidtools that indexes file and folder names quickly, allowing searches of up to a million files in a minute. It can index mapped network drives and supports Boolean operators and wildcards for advanced search needs. Flow Launcher is an open-source application that serves as a quick launcher and search utility, integrating with Everything for fast file searches and allowing users to open applications, search for files, and perform calculations from a single interface. NanaZip is an open-source archive manager derived from 7-Zip, supporting various archive formats and offering faster processing times, improved encryption, dark mode, and context menu integration. Microsoft PowerToys is a suite of utilities for power users that includes tools like Command Palette, PowerRename, and FancyZones, available for free from the Microsoft Store. Ferdium is an open-source tool that consolidates web applications into a single platform, allowing users to manage multiple web apps within one window, supporting multiple instances of the same app and offering workspace management and a built-in To-do list panel.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

Preloading File Explorer in Windows 11 Doubles RAM Usage, Offers Minimal Speed Boost

Microsoft has initiated background preloading of File Explorer to improve accessibility, but this has led to increased RAM usage without significant performance gains. Testing shows that the standard launch of File Explorer uses approximately 35 MB of RAM, while the preloaded version consumes about 67.4 MB due to additional background processes. Despite preloading, File Explorer remains sluggish, with no substantial enhancements in functionality or user experience. Visual tweaks may create an illusion of faster launches, but core performance issues persist, exacerbated by the transition to Windows 11's modern UI elements.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

Tested: Windows 11’s ‘faster’ File Explorer (preloaded) is still slower than Windows 10, and uses additional RAM

Microsoft is testing a new feature for Windows 11's File Explorer that involves preloading the application in the background to improve performance. This preloading aims to address user complaints about File Explorer's sluggishness compared to Windows 10. Preloading involves pre-caching necessary data to facilitate quicker launches. Testing showed that RAM usage increased slightly from 32.4MB to 35MB with preloading enabled, resulting in a total of 67.4MB during background preloading. While there was a slight improvement in launch times, it was not significant without close examination. Under full load conditions, preloading demonstrated clearer advantages in launch speed. However, the overall sluggishness of File Explorer, particularly with context menu interactions, remains an issue. Users can optimize their experience by disabling transparency and animation effects and changing default folder settings. The performance disparity between Windows 10 and Windows 11 File Explorers is attributed to additional rendering layers in Windows 11. The preloading feature is available for testing in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (KB5070307), with a broader rollout expected in early 2026.

Winsage

November 27, 2025

See all the Windows 11 features that Microsoft has been testing so far in November — before the next big update

Microsoft has begun rolling out new features for Windows 11, including previews for versions 25H2 and 26H1, specifically build 28000.1199. Key updates include: 1. Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE): This feature is being tested for all PCs with build 26220.7271, transforming the desktop into a console-like interface and reducing memory consumption by approximately 2GB. Users can activate it via Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience, and it requires enrollment in the Xbox Insider program. 2. Point-in-time Restore: This feature allows users to revert their computer to a previous state, recovering from issues like buggy updates or malware. It uses the Volume Shadow Copy Service to create restore points and is enabled by default on devices with a minimum of 200GB storage running Home and Pro editions. Users can manage it via Settings > Recovery > Point-in-time. 3. Voice Typing with Fluid Dictation: The Fluid Dictation feature is now integrated into Voice Typing, automatically correcting grammar and punctuation. It is enabled by default on Copilot+ PCs. 4. Microsoft Store App Uninstall Option: An "Uninstall" option for apps is now available in the Microsoft Store through the app's context menu on the "Library" page.

Winsage

November 26, 2025

Windows: Notepad gets tables and streaming AI

Microsoft is updating its Notepad editor to version 11.2510.6.0, introducing native support for Markdown tables and enhanced AI functions through streaming technology. The new features include the ability to insert tables via a toolbar button or Markdown syntax, and AI functions such as Write, Rewrite, and Summarize that generate results word by word. The Rewrite function currently supports streaming only on Copilot+ PCs, and a Microsoft account is required to access the AI functions. The update is available to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels, with no timeline for broader release. Users can disable the new features in settings or revert to older versions of Notepad if desired.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

I forced myself to run Windows 11, and to be honest, I don’t miss much about Windows 10

Windows 10 reached the end of its support, prompting an upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 11 is faster, with performance improvements claimed to be up to 2.3 times quicker than Windows 10, particularly on modern hardware. Boot times improved from 40 seconds to under 20 seconds. Battery life enhancements are reported, especially for modern devices. The Microsoft Store has been redesigned for a better user experience, allowing app uninstallation directly from the Store. The Start menu and Taskbar have been redesigned, with a more organized layout that enhances usability. The new context menu includes dedicated icons for frequently used functions. The classic Control Panel is missed, as its functionality has largely moved to the Settings app, which some find less simple. Overall, the upgrade to Windows 11 is considered worthwhile despite some areas needing refinement.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

Microsoft is speeding up and decluttering File Explorer in Windows 11

Microsoft is enhancing the File Explorer in Windows 11 with a preloading feature to improve startup speed, particularly on less powerful hardware like handhelds and tablets. Users will have the option to disable this feature if they prefer not to run File Explorer in the background. Additionally, the context menu is being refined to declutter the interface by moving less frequently used actions into submenus and introducing a new manage file flyout that consolidates various functions. Cloud file options will also be organized into a dedicated flyout. These updates are currently in testing in the latest Dev preview builds, with a broader rollout expected in early 2026.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

Windows 11 is going to start quietly preloading File Explorer in the background to make it faster, which is a good reminder that you should probably try a different file manager anyway

Microsoft released a Windows Insider beta update on November 21 that includes a full-screen Xbox experience for laptops and desktops and enhancements to File Explorer. The update aims to improve File Explorer launch performance by exploring preloading it in the background, with an option to disable this feature. Microsoft is also streamlining the File Explorer context menu by removing unnecessary options. Alternatives to File Explorer include the open-source solution Files, which offers features like tags for files, custom themes, a dual-pane view, and custom keyboard shortcuts, and OneCommander, which has unique functionalities such as creating text files from copied text. File Pilot is another alternative known for its lightweight performance. Users dissatisfied with File Explorer are increasingly seeking free and open-source software alternatives, with some considering a transition to Linux.