Enhanced Speed of File Explorer in Windows 11 by Microsoft: My Excitement

With the recent discontinuation of support for Windows 10 (excluding Extended Security Updates), I felt it was the right moment to transition to Windows 11.

While I have fondness for Windows 10, I don’t view Windows 11 as a drastic downgrade either. It’s a robust operating system, albeit with some notable flaws—particularly concerning Microsoft’s priorities regarding improvements and fixes.

Performance Issues with File Explorer

One of the most significant issues I’ve encountered in Windows 11 is the sluggish performance of File Explorer. The launch speed is disappointingly slow, which is particularly concerning given its vital role in daily computing tasks. In contrast, File Explorer functioned smoothly on my Windows 10 setup; however, since upgrading to Windows 11, my experience has notably deteriorated.

Launching File Explorer from the Taskbar should be straightforward, and while the window opens promptly, there’s often a frustrating delay afterward. Users are greeted with a blank screen accompanied by the message, “Working on it…” for over a second. This delay occurs irrespective of how often I open the program or the availability of system resources. The difference in performance is clear, as evidenced by the comparison with my previous setup.

Although this issue doesn’t render the tool unusable, it certainly disrupts my productivity flow. Waiting for a critical component of the operating system, which provides access to your entire file system, is irksome. It is perplexing that such a problem was non-existent in Windows 10 but has persisted in Windows 11. The adage “don’t fix what isn’t broken”seems especially relevant here.

Microsoft’s Response

On a brighter note, Microsoft has acknowledged this performance issue and is actively working on a solution. In its latest Insider build release, 26220.7271, the company announced plans to preload File Explorer into memory, significantly improving launch times. This backend change is designed to enhance user experience without direct customer involvement, though there will be an option to disable this feature for those with limited system resources.

A picture of the new File Explorer in Windows 11 with focus on the address bar

Overall, I am optimistic that Microsoft is taking steps to address this File Explorer issue, even if it seems like a convoluted approach. The reasons behind the performance decline when transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 remain unclear. Nevertheless, it is reassuring to see Microsoft tackling such prominent user concerns.

Recently, the head of Windows acknowledged that the company recognizes there is still a lot of work ahead to improve Windows. While enhancing File Explorer’s performance is only one piece of the puzzle, it represents a positive move toward addressing broader concerns surrounding Windows 11.

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