There are certain parts of Windows that quietly define the everyday experience, even though we rarely think about them. File Explorer is one such piece. It’s that familiar window you open without a second thought when you want to browse files, move documents, check downloads, or simply reach into the digital cupboard of your PC. And yet, despite its importance, File Explorer has always struggled with something so basic—performance.
If you’ve used Windows 11 for any length of time, you’ve likely noticed the slight delay before File Explorer fully draws itself on the screen. It opens in two steps: the body appears first, followed by the ribbon, title bar, and tabs snapping into place a moment later. For many users it’s a small annoyance. For others, especially those on budget or older hardware, it can feel like a system-wide slowdown.
Microsoft seems to have taken this feedback seriously. And now, in the latest Windows 11 Dev and Beta builds, the company is testing a feature that aims to make File Explorer launch noticeably faster. But like every “performance booster,” it comes with trade-offs. Let’s walk through everything changing behind the scenes.
A New Approach: Preloading File Explorer in the Background
Whenever Microsoft wants to improve the launch time of a system app, one of the easiest methods is to keep parts of that app preloaded in memory. It’s a strategy already used in several apps and browsers, including Microsoft Edge’s “Startup Boost,” which keeps background processes active so that the browser opens faster when summoned.
Now Microsoft is applying that same concept to File Explorer.
The idea is simple: instead of building File Explorer from scratch every time you click it, the system will silently load certain components into the background during startup. This means when you open a window later, most of the heavy lifting has already been done. The launch animation appears smoother, the interface loads faster, and the frustrating two-step rendering might finally fade away.
Microsoft describes this change as “exploring the option of preloading File Explorer to improve launch performance.” In practical terms, you may never see this process happening—but you might feel the difference each time you click the icon.
But as with any background preload feature, the benefits are not the same for everyone.
Why Preloading Can Be a Mixed Bag
There’s always been a debate among power users about preloading features. On one hand, they noticeably improve startup time. On the other, they consume RAM and background processing even when you’re not actively using the feature. And if you use a system with limited memory—like older laptops or budget devices—any unnecessary background usage feels wasteful.
Some users appreciate “set it and forget it” design. Others prefer total control over what runs behind the curtain of Windows.
Windows 11’s new preload feature falls right into this tug-of-war. Preloading File Explorer can improve that first launch noticeably, but if you’re mindful of your system’s performance or prefer a minimalist approach, you may not want additional processes quietly running. Thankfully, Microsoft has designed it with both types of users in mind.
Good News: The Feature Will Be Optional
One of the best decisions Microsoft made here is letting users turn the feature off. Too often, preload-style optimizations are buried deep in the system or forced on every user without a proper toggle. But in this case, Microsoft provides direct access to enable or disable it through File Explorer’s Options menu.
If the feature rolls out publicly exactly as it works in the Dev and Beta channels today, the setting can be found right inside Folder Options:
View → “Enable window preloading for faster launch times.”
If you don’t want File Explorer running quietly in the background, you simply uncheck the option. No registry edits, no command lines, no chasing hidden processes.
This is the kind of choice users appreciate—especially those who prefer a clean, lean system with minimal background activity.
How to Check the Setting (When It Arrives)
Once the feature moves to the stable channel, the toggle should sit in the same familiar location:
File Explorer → Three-dot menu → Options → View tab.
Inside this section, Windows lists dozens of small behaviors that govern how File Explorer functions—everything from showing hidden files to managing thumbnails. The new preload toggle will slip right in alongside these settings.
Turning it off will stop File Explorer from preloading and keep the system exactly as it behaves today. Turning it on will allow Windows to load it in advance so that it opens faster when needed.
Microsoft says that aside from performance improvements, you shouldn’t notice the feature at all. It won’t clutter the taskbar or produce visible background windows. It simply keeps components ready in memory.
Will This Fix the “Two-Part Loading” Problem?
There’s a long-running complaint among Windows 11 users: when opening File Explorer, the frame loads first, followed by the tabs and title bar. This staggered loading feels unnatural, and if you’re sensitive to UI behavior, it breaks the illusion of a polished system.
Preloading could solve this. If both the interface and the logic behind File Explorer are already active, they may load together in one smooth motion. That’s certainly the goal behind the experiment.
However, because the feature is still in testing, its final impact remains to be seen. Microsoft has been steadily refining the File Explorer backend through the Windows App SDK and introducing new designs over the last few years. Preloading might be the final piece in making File Explorer feel snappy again, but it’s equally possible that some visual delays may remain.
Still, this is one of the more promising improvements in recent builds.
Should You Turn It On? A Practical Perspective
When this feature reaches all Windows 11 users in early 2026, there will be two kinds of reactions.
Some users will say:
“Finally! File Explorer feels fast again.”
Others will say:
“Why is Windows running more background processes on my machine?”
Here’s a balanced way to decide:
- If you have a low-memory device (4GB or 8GB RAM), disabling it might be wiser.
Every background component counts in systems with limited resources. - If you use File Explorer constantly throughout the day, keeping it preloaded may actually save time.
The cumulative improvement can feel meaningful. - If you like a clean background with minimal processes, turn it off.
You’ll keep more control over startup behavior. - If you simply want Windows to feel faster, experiment with it.
You can always toggle it off later.
Like many performance features, the “best” choice depends more on personal workflow than raw numbers.
Looking Ahead: When Will This Reach Stable Builds?
Right now, the feature lives inside the Dev and Beta channels, which means it’s still being actively shaped based on feedback. Microsoft rarely introduces experimental features unless it’s confident about the long-term direction, so the chances of this one reaching general users are high.
If it progresses without major issues, it may reach the stable channel sometime in early 2026, likely as part of a cumulative or feature update. When that happens, expect widespread testing, comparisons, and plenty of benchmarks across the tech community.
Until then, it’s encouraging to see Microsoft bringing attention back to core apps. File Explorer has long needed a performance refresh, and even a subtle improvement can change how Windows feels day to day.
Disclaimer
This article explains features currently available only in Microsoft’s Insider channels. These features may be modified, delayed, or removed before public release. Always update your system cautiously, especially if using pre-release builds.
#Windows11 #FileExplorer #MicrosoftUpdates #WindowsTips #PerformanceBoost
