Slow File Explorer: Microsoft Fixes Windows Loading Times

Microsoft Acknowledges Slow File Explorer Launch, Introduces preloading to Boost Performance

Microsoft has conceded that File explorer, the primary file management tool in Windows, has been experiencing performance issues, specifically a sluggish launch time. In a rare admission, the company is now implementing a “preloading” feature within the latest Windows 11 Insider build to address the problem.

File Explorer, formerly known as Windows Explorer, has undergone critically important changes in the past decade, evolving from a basic utility to an application increasingly integrated with features like recommended sections, a redesigned context menu, advertisements, and even nascent artificial intelligence capabilities. However, this evolution hasn’t come without its drawbacks.

The issue at hand isn’t related to the speed of opening individual folders within File Explorer. A separate tweak exists to improve that specific experience, but Microsoft’s current focus is on the initial application launch. According to a company release, the launch performance has been “sub-par.”

“We are introducing preloading of File Explorer to address the issue,” the release stated.

Did you know? – File Explorer was originally called Windows Explorer and debuted with Windows 95. It has been a core component of the Windows operating system for nearly three decades, undergoing numerous revisions.

The preloading feature is designed to operate silently in the background, and Microsoft anticipates it will be imperceptible to most users. However, the company acknowledges that it’s still early days, as the change is currently being tested in a beta environment. This means real-world performance will be evaluated based on feedback from users running the Insider build.

While a delay of a second or two may seem minor, it can be noticeable, even when using the Windows-E shortcut to launch the application. Fortunately, users have the option to disable the preloading if they don’t observe an betterment or experience a negative impact.

To disable File Explorer preloading:

• Open File explorer on your PC.
• Select View > Folder Options.
• Remove the checkmark from “enable window preloading for faster launch times.”

Pro tip: – Regularly clearing your File Explorer history can definitely help maintain performance. Go to File Explorer Options and click the “Clear” button under the Privacy section to remove recent file and folder access.

Microsoft intends to enable preloading by default,meaning users will need to actively opt-out once the feature rolls out to stable versions of Windows. the company will be closely monitoring the impact of preloading on system resources, including startup time and RAM usage.

The timeline for the wider release of this update remains uncertain. It could arrive in the coming months or as part of the larger 2026 feature update.

Reader question: – Do you find File Explorer’s launch speed to be a significant inconvenience in your daily workflow? Share your experience and let us know how quickly File Explorer loads on your system.

Why: Microsoft recognized that File Explorer’s launch speed was slower than desired, impacting user experience.
Who: Microsoft is addressing the issue, and Windows 11 Insider build users are currently testing the solution.
What: Microsoft is implementing a “preloading” feature to improve File Explorer’s launch time.
How: the preloading feature operates in the background, attempting to load File Explorer components before the user actively requests it. It can be disabled via Folder Options.
How did it end?: The feature is currently in beta testing within the Windows Insider Program. The wider release timeline is uncertain, potentially arriving in the coming months or with the 2026 feature update. Microsoft will monitor system resource impact before a full rollout.