Microsoft is testing a Windows 11 tweak that preloads File Explorer in the background to make it faster

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I’ve noticed Microsoft is trying something new with Windows 11. They’re quietly loading File Explorer in the background while you’re using other things. The idea is to make it open much faster when you actually click to use it – basically, they’re trying to eliminate that little wait time.

Microsoft is testing a new feature in Windows 11 that automatically loads parts of File Explorer in the background. The goal is to make File Explorer open more quickly when you click on it, and you shouldn’t notice anything happening unless you see a faster launch time.

Some Windows 11 users have noticed that File Explorer can be slow to open, sometimes taking a second or more to display the interface. A recent update aims to fix this by making the File Explorer window and its contents appear instantly when you open it.

Microsoft explains that this feature is optional and can be disabled if you prefer. To prevent File Explorer from using memory in the background, simply uncheck the “Enable window preloading for faster launch times” option. You can find this setting in File Explorer’s Folder Options, under the View tab.

Microsoft is improving File Explorer in a couple of ways. First, it’s speeding up how quickly File Explorer opens. Second, they’ve redesigned the right-click menu to be simpler and less cluttered. Instead of listing every option separately, similar tools like rotate and compress are now grouped together under one menu item, making it easier to find what you need.

It’s great that Microsoft is responding to common complaints about Windows 11. Many experienced users and developers have found File Explorer to be slow and frustrating compared to older versions, and improving its performance is a key step forward.

I recently saw a post from Pavan Davuluri, the president of Windows at Microsoft, on X. He was responding to feedback from developers and serious Windows users, letting them know Microsoft is listening. He assured everyone that while AI has been a big focus lately, his team is also actively working on improvements to the core Windows 11 experience.

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2025-11-21 22:09