Fast Facts

• Microsoft is testing an optional File Explorer preloading feature on Windows 11 to speed up launch times.
• Users can enable or disable this setting in File Explorer’s Folder Options.
• The update follows similar “Startup Boost” enhancements for Microsoft Office apps.
• Context menu redesigns aim to declutter right-click options and improve usability.
• These changes are currently available to Windows Insiders running preview builds.

The Race to Make File Explorer Lightning-Fast

Imagine opening a door only to find your butler already waiting inside, ready to hand you exactly what you need. That’s the vision Microsoft has for File Explorer: instant, frictionless access to your files. For decades, File Explorer has been the backbone of Windows users’ daily routines - yet its sluggish launches have drawn groans from office workers and power users alike. Now, Microsoft is betting on a new trick: preloading File Explorer in the background, so it’s always poised for action.

How Preloading Works - and Why It Matters

Preloading is like warming up your car on a cold morning: the engine’s ready to go before you even slide into the seat. Once enabled, File Explorer quietly loads in the background when you boot up your PC. The interface looks the same, but when you click to open a file or folder, the wait is noticeably shorter. If users prefer, they can turn this feature off with a simple checkbox - Microsoft is keen to avoid accusations of bloat or unwanted background activity.

Technically, this mirrors the “Startup Boost” feature Microsoft rolled out in 2025 for Office apps, which preloads parts of Word and Excel into memory at login. The goal is the same: cut down the seconds lost waiting for essential tools to open, while letting users reclaim resources if they need the memory elsewhere.

Not Just Faster - Cleaner Too: The Context Menu Overhaul

Speed isn’t the whole story. Microsoft is also reworking File Explorer’s right-click menu, a long-standing pain point for anyone overwhelmed by a mess of rarely used options. The new design groups related actions - like compressing files, copying paths, or rotating images - into a tidy “Manage file” submenu. Cloud storage commands, such as OneDrive’s “Always Keep on this Device,” now live within their own flyouts, making the whole experience less cluttered and more intuitive.

This isn’t just cosmetic. Usability experts and tech journalists have long argued that a cleaner interface reduces errors and saves mental energy, especially as more users juggle local and cloud files.

From Insider Testing to Global Rollout

Currently, these upgrades are available only to Windows Insiders running preview builds. Microsoft is collecting feedback on both performance and usability, promising further tweaks before the features hit the mainstream. The company’s careful, opt-in approach reflects lessons learned from past missteps - like the infamous Windows 10 forced updates - where user backlash was swift and fierce.

For now, the world’s most widely used file manager is getting a tune-up under the hood. If successful, Microsoft’s preloading gambit could set a new standard for how core apps balance speed, usability, and user control in the age of hybrid work and cloud-first computing.

WIKICROOK

• Preloading: Preloading is when software or resources are started in the background before use, making programs open faster and improving user experience.
• File Explorer: File Explorer is the Windows application used to browse, organize, and manage files and folders on your computer through a simple graphical interface.
• Context Menu: A context menu is a pop-up list of actions that appears when you right-click on an item, offering quick access to relevant commands.
• Windows Insider: Windows Insider is a Microsoft program where users test new Windows features before public release and provide feedback to improve updates.
• Cloud Provider Flyout: A Cloud Provider Flyout is a submenu in file managers that groups cloud storage actions, like saving or syncing files, for quick and easy access.