Microsoft is implementing updates to the File Explorer in Windows 11 to enhance performance and streamline user interaction. The recent Dev preview builds of Windows 11 introduce File Explorer preloading to expedite its launch, especially on devices with limited performance capabilities. This change is designed to optimize the file management tool’s speed, ensuring a smoother experience across various devices, from powerful PCs to more constrained systems like Windows handhelds and tablets.
The option to disable File Explorer preloading provides users with flexibility, allowing them to manage system resources efficiently. Similar to the improvements made to Office apps earlier this year, Microsoft’s focus on enhancing startup speeds is evident in these File Explorer optimizations.
Furthermore, the context menu in File Explorer has been revamped to declutter the interface. By organizing less frequently used actions into submenus and introducing a new manage file flyout, Microsoft aims to simplify navigation and improve user accessibility. Cloud file options have also been consolidated into a separate menu, contributing to a cleaner and more user-friendly context menu.
These updates are currently in testing within the Dev preview builds of Windows 11 and are expected to be available to all users in early 2026. The changes not only seek to boost performance but also enhance the overall user experience of File Explorer in Windows 11.
Source: The Verge