For years, users have complained that File Explorer feels slow and unresponsive in Windows 11. Now that Windows 10 has officially reached its end of support, many find themselves facing the same decision others already have: upgrading to Windows 11. Fortunately, Microsoft is testing a new feature that could finally make File Explorer feel faster and more fluid on its latest operating system.
According to the latest Windows 11 Insider release notes, Microsoft is experimenting with a “preloading” feature designed to load File Explorer in the background before you open it. The company says most users won’t notice this process happening, but the result should be snappier launch times. The feature is currently limited to Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 in the Dev and Beta channels, meaning it may take a few months before it reaches the general public.
Still in testing
There’s no guarantee this feature will make it to the retail version of Windows 11. Microsoft’s release notes describe it as something the company is “exploring,” which suggests it’s still being tested for usefulness and stability. The name might be a bit of a pun, but it also signals uncertainty about whether the change will stick.
If you’re part of the Dev or Beta channels, you may already have access to this feature. You can enable it by opening File Explorer’s settings and turning on the option labeled “Enable window preloading for faster launch times.” Microsoft encourages testers to report any issues in the Windows 11 Feedback Hub so the company can refine the experience and ensure it doesn’t introduce new problems.
Other ways to speed things up
Interestingly, there’s also a quirky Windows 11 bug that can make File Explorer more responsive—though it comes with trade-offs. Pressing Control + F11 twice toggles File Explorer into and out of full-screen mode, which seems to improve performance temporarily. However, this bug can cause other parts of the system to misbehave, so it’s not a reliable fix.
If you’re looking for alternatives, you might also consider third-party File Explorer apps, though results vary depending on which one you choose.
