Windows 11 File Explorer Receives Speed Improvements and Streamlined Menu Updates

Windows 11 introduces preloading for File Explorer, enhancing launch speed on lower-end devices.
Microsoft is actively refining the context menu to minimize clutter through action grouping.

The latest enhancements in Windows 11 are set to improve the functionality of File Explorer significantly, enabling faster app launches while addressing the issues of an overly cluttered context menu.

Enhanced Preloading for File Explorer

With the release of build 26220.7271 (KB5070307) for version 25H2 in the Dev and Beta Channels, Microsoft is testing a new preloading feature for File Explorer. This initiative aims to optimize the user experience by keeping the application loaded in the background, facilitating swifter access.

While modern computers typically launch File Explorer without delay, users with older hardware configurations often encounter slower startup times. This update is expected to enhance the responsiveness of File Explorer considerably, especially for users relying on less powerful devices like tablets and mobile computing devices.

To address concerns regarding resource usage on higher-end devices, Microsoft plans to implement an option within the “Folder Options” settings, allowing users to disable File Explorer preloading if they prefer not to utilize this feature.

To deactivate the preloading option, open File Explorer, go to “Folder Options, ” navigate to the “View” tab, uncheck the “Enable window preloading for faster launch times” option, and click “OK” to apply the changes.

File Explorer disable startup preloading / Image: Mauro Huculak

This approach parallels the “Startup Boost” feature introduced for Microsoft 365 applications, designed to expedite the launch process for programs such as Word and Excel. Users can modify their startup preferences through the Settings app, optimizing the performance of specific applications.

Revamped Context Menu for Improved Usability

The initial rollout of the redesigned context menu in File Explorer aimed to declutter the legacy design. However, users reported that the new menu became equally, if not more, congested, lacking some legacy features and requiring extra navigation steps to access familiar options.

In a bid to enhance usability, build 26220.7271 introduces refinements that better group common actions within the context menu. This update categorizes frequently used features, making them easier to find and utilize.

New action groupings include options like “Compress to ZIP file, ” “Copy as Path, ” “Set as Desktop Background, ” “Rotate Right, ” and “Rotate Left”, all now available under the “Manage file” submenu.

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File Explorer new context menu declutter / Image: Mauro Huculak

Additionally, OneDrive-related actions such as “Always Keep on this Device” and “Free Up Space” now appear within their designated cloud provider flyout. Users will also find the “Send to My Phone” feature conveniently positioned alongside other cloud options.

The “Open Folder Location” option is also now readily accessible next to the standard Open and Open With options, further streamlining user interaction.

Although these updated features have begun rolling out to users in the Dev and Beta Channels of the Windows Insider Program, a broader release is anticipated in early 2026. This update promises to enhance the overall user experience and interface of File Explorer.

What do you think of the recent improvements to File Explorer? Please share your insights in the comments section below.

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