Microsoft Finally Fixes Windows 11’s Baffling Performance Slowdown
▼ Summary
– Windows 11’s new preview build addresses slow File Explorer performance by preloading it during system boot to reduce initial folder opening delays.
– The right-click menu in File Explorer has been streamlined by moving options like “Compress to ZIP” and “Copy as Path” into a “Manage file” flyout to shorten the list.
– Additional changes include relocating cloud provider options and adjusting the layout, such as moving “Send to My Phone” next to cloud options for a more compact menu.
– The preview build also introduces testing for the Xbox Full Screen Experience on PCs and improves voice typing with AI-powered fluid dictation to correct grammar and remove filler words.
– Microsoft emphasizes that these features are experimental and may not be included in the final release, with an option to disable File Explorer preloading if users prefer.
A new preview build for Windows 11 is now available, bringing welcome performance improvements and interface refinements that address some of the operating system’s most persistent user complaints. Microsoft has introduced background preloading for File Explorer alongside a streamlined right-click menu, changes that should significantly enhance the daily user experience for those testing the latest builds.
Currently available in the Dev and Beta channels, Build 26220.7271 tackles the notorious delay many users encounter when opening File Explorer for the first time after starting their computer. The solution involves preloading the File Explorer application in the background during the Windows 11 boot process. This preparatory work means that when a user later clicks to open a folder, it appears almost instantly, eliminating the frustrating wait that has been a common grievance. While subsequent folder openings are generally faster, the initial lag has been particularly noticeable, especially for those accustomed to the snappier response of Windows 10.
The update also delivers on Microsoft’s recent teasers about simplifying the context menu. The right-click menu in File Explorer has been significantly shortened by relocating several options into secondary flyout menus. Five specific functions, Compress to ZIP, Copy as Path, Set as Desktop Background, Rotate Right, and Rotate Left, are now grouped under a single ‘Manage file’ flyout. This reorganization condenses what was previously five separate lines into just one, freeing up considerable space.
Further streamlining moves cloud storage actions like ‘Always Keep on this Device’ into their respective provider’s flyout. A minor layout adjustment also places the ‘Send to My Phone’ option alongside these cloud-related choices. The result is a much more compact and less cluttered context menu, making it quicker to find the most commonly used commands. For users who frequently access the relocated options, the extra click required might be a minor inconvenience, but the overall gain in menu efficiency is substantial.
Beyond these core File Explorer enhancements, this preview build includes other notable features. The Xbox Full Screen Experience, currently rolling out to handheld devices, is now in testing for standard Windows 11 PCs. This controller-optimized interface could represent an initial step toward a more unified gaming and desktop environment. Additionally, voice typing is receiving a significant upgrade with “fluid dictation.” This AI-powered feature, which uses a small on-device language model, automatically corrects grammar and punctuation while removing filler words like “um” and “ah” from dictated text.
Some may question the logic of preloading File Explorer, concerned that it could slow down the overall system startup. While it’s true that any background process consumes resources, Microsoft has stated the impact should be negligible and not visibly affect boot times. The entire purpose is to make File Explorer launch faster when you need it, without creating a new performance bottleneck elsewhere. The company is still exploring this approach, and as with any preview feature, its inclusion in a final public release is not guaranteed. For those who prefer the current behavior, an option to ‘Enable window preloading for faster launch times’ can be toggled off in File Explorer’s folder options.
The sluggish initial response from File Explorer has been a particular point of frustration, especially when compared to the more responsive performance of Windows 10 on the same hardware. These latest adjustments are part of a broader initiative from Microsoft to address performance feedback and refine the Windows 11 experience across multiple fronts.
(Source: techradar)
