preloading feature Archives

Winsage

May 7, 2026

Microsoft vows to make Windows 11’s File Explorer much faster — and it’s about time

Microsoft is enhancing the performance of File Explorer in Windows 11, moving beyond the initial preloading feature introduced last year. Tali Roth, Microsoft's Head of Product for Windows Shell, stated that the company is committed to implementing targeted optimizations to improve the speed and responsiveness of File Explorer. The preloading adjustment improved the app's launch time but did not resolve performance issues during subsequent uses, as users reported sluggishness when navigating folders. Microsoft's new strategy involves deeper foundational engineering to reduce unnecessary disk reads and application hangs. The ongoing "fix Windows 11" campaign indicates progress, though questions remain about the initial performance issues.

Winsage

May 6, 2026

Microsoft confirms Windows 11’s File Explorer is sluggish, and preloading isn’t the only fix coming

Microsoft has increased its public relations efforts to highlight enhancements in Windows 11, announcing performance and reliability fixes following an update from Marcus Ash, the Windows Insider lead. Tali Roth, Microsoft’s Head of Product for Windows Shell, addressed user dissatisfaction with the preloading of File Explorer, which is seen as a resource-intensive solution that does not resolve underlying performance issues. Critics argue that while preloading improves initial launch times, it consumes an additional ~35MB of RAM and does not eliminate delays in folder navigation and other functions. In response to the criticism, Roth explained that Microsoft employs a multi-faceted strategy for improving File Explorer, which includes targeted optimizations to the launch sequence, removing unnecessary processes, and addressing deeper foundational issues. These improvements are being rolled out incrementally, with recent Insider builds showcasing enhancements like reduced visual glitches and a modernized Properties dialog.

Winsage

April 20, 2026

Microsoft tests Windows Explorer speed, performance improvements

Microsoft is enhancing File Explorer for Windows 11 Insider program users, focusing on improved launch speed and performance. A preloading feature was tested that allows File Explorer to load in the background for faster access, which users can disable in the Folder Options. These updates follow the introduction of Startup Boost for Office applications, which also aims to improve loading times. The Windows Insider Program Team is also working on enhancing the reliability of the explorer.exe process and addressing issues with bright white flashes when opening File Explorer in dark mode. Additionally, a new Xbox mode has been introduced for Windows 11 PCs, providing a full-screen gaming interface to reduce distractions. These updates are being rolled out to Insiders in the Release Preview channel with specific Windows 11 builds installed.

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 1, 2025

Hooray, Microsoft is making File Explorer faster, but it’s still slower than Windows 10 and consumes more RAM. Boo

Microsoft is testing a preloading feature for File Explorer in Insider Preview Build 26220.7271, available on the Dev and Beta channels. Feedback on this new functionality has been mixed, indicating that while improvements are being made, they have not yet met user expectations. Further refinements are needed for Windows 11, with hopes that the preloading feature will enhance performance when it officially launches in the regular Windows Update scheduled for 2026.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

Complaints about Windows 11’s fix for File Explorer sluggishness are overblown – but they underline a fundamental problem with the OS

Windows 11 has introduced a fix in a preview build to improve the speed of File Explorer by preloading the application during system boot. Initial tests indicate a noticeable speed improvement, although it doubles RAM usage with only a modest increase in performance. Critics argue that Microsoft's approach appears reactive and lacks a comprehensive strategy for overall performance enhancement. The preloading fix does provide a tangible speed boost with manageable RAM impact, but concerns remain about the broader user experience and future updates.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

Windows 11’s new pre-loaded File Explorer is reportedly still slower than Windows 10

Microsoft has acknowledged the sluggish performance of Windows 11's File Explorer and is introducing a preloading feature to enhance its speed. Initial tests show that the preloaded version opens faster than the non-preloaded version, using approximately 30MB of additional RAM. However, Windows 10's File Explorer outperforms the preloaded version of Windows 11 in both opening and closing speeds. This performance gap may hinder the adoption of Windows 11, as many PCs compatible with the new OS remain on Windows 10. Further enhancements are necessary for Windows 11's File Explorer to match or exceed the responsiveness of Windows 10.

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 26, 2025

Microsoft preloads File Explorer to mask performance issues

Microsoft is addressing sluggish launch times for File Explorer by preloading the application in the background, rather than streamlining its code or removing features. This update is available in a Windows Insider build for the Dev and Beta Channels. The preloading feature is experimental and can be disabled by users in the Folder Options under the View tab in File Explorer. Microsoft previously open-sourced the classic Windows File Manager in 2018, which was a lightweight tool for file system activities. Over time, File Explorer has increased in size and complexity, leading to performance challenges.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

Microsoft Is Finally Doing Something About Windows 11’s Slow File Explorer

Microsoft is testing a preloading feature for File Explorer in Windows 11, aimed at enhancing its performance by loading it in the background before user interaction. This feature is currently available in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 for the Dev and Beta channels. Users can enable it through File Explorer settings, but its public rollout is uncertain as Microsoft is still exploring its viability. Additionally, a known bug allows users to temporarily boost File Explorer's performance by double-tapping Control + F11, though this may disrupt other system functionalities.