Windows 11 Update Cuts File Explorer RAM Usage
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is improving Windows 11’s File Explorer search to reduce RAM usage by eliminating duplicate file indexing.
– The change will speed up search results and lower system resource consumption during file operations.
– These improvements are currently available only in an Insider Preview Build for testing in Dev and Beta channels.
– The update works by having the search rely on a single, consolidated index instead of scanning identical paths repeatedly.
– Once testing is complete, the feature will be enabled by default and rolled out to stable Windows 11 releases.
A forthcoming update for Windows 11 promises to make the operating system more efficient by optimizing how the File Explorer search function uses system memory. Microsoft is implementing changes designed to reduce RAM consumption and accelerate search results, a welcome improvement for users managing extensive file collections. These enhancements are currently being tested in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7523, available to participants in the Dev and Beta channels.
The core of the improvement lies in how the system handles file indexing. Previously, the search process could inadvertently perform duplicate indexing operations on identical file paths. This redundancy consumed unnecessary system resources. The updated approach streamlines this by eliminating duplicate file indexing, allowing the search function to rely on a single, consolidated index. This change is expected to yield faster search results while lowering the overall RAM footprint of File Explorer during file operations.
While the search feature is not typically a massive RAM hog, this optimization addresses an underlying inefficiency. The result should be a snappier and more responsive File Explorer, particularly beneficial for users who regularly search across multiple folders or different storage drives. The reduction in background indexing workload means the system can allocate freed-up resources to other active applications, contributing to a smoother overall user experience.
Microsoft is rolling out this fix gradually under a controlled “toggle-on” state within the Insider builds. This allows for real-world testing and stability checks before a wider release. Users who receive the update should notice the performance improvements immediately. Following successful testing, the feature is slated to be enabled by default and will eventually make its way into stable, public releases of Windows 11 for all users.
(Source: wccftech)
