File Explorer is the main file manager of the Windows operating system. Previously called Windows Explorer, Microsoft renamed the tool and has modified it significantly in the past decade. From adding a new recommended section and a dual-context menu, to advertisement and sprinkling light doses of AI functionality on top of the ever-growing application.
In the latest Insider build of Windows 11 that Microsoft released, the company admitted something that it usually does not: that a component in Windows lacked in the performance department.
Here in particular, Microsoft confessed that File Explorer launch performance was sub-par and that it is introducing preloading of File Explorer to address the issue.
Note that this has nothing to do with select folders opening slowly in File Explorer. There is a tweak that you may apply to speed that up, but it is independent from what Microsoft is trying to fix and introducing.
This should not be visible to users, according to Microsoft, but it is too early for a final verdict on the change. It is introduced in a beta build after all and that means that most of the testing happens on user devices after all.
Granted, depending on the PC system that is used, it may take a second or two before File Explorer opens, even if you use the handy shortcut Windows-E to launch it.
Good news is that users may turn off the preloading. This can be useful if you do not notice a difference to before or even a regression.
Here is how that is done:
- Open File Explorer on the PC in questino.
- Select View > Folder Options.
- Remove the checkmark from "enable window preloading for faster launch times".
This should take care of the preloading and return the status quo. Microsoft plans to enable the preloading by default, which means that you do need to become active to turn it off again.
Tests will show if the preloading has a positive net effect on the launch of File Explorer. Also, if the change will have negative consequences, for instance by prolonging the system start or increasing RAM usage.
It will take some time before the change lands in stable versions. Microsoft has not yet revealed when that is going to happen, it could be in the coming months or as part of the 2026 feature update for Windows.
Now You: Do you use File Explorer as a Windows user, or have you switched to a third-party file manager? How fast does File Explorer load on your system? Feel free to leave a comment down below.
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