Microsoft introduced a background-preloading update for File Explorer in Windows 11, aiming to speed up its opening time. However, testing by WindowsLatest indicates that this update has instead caused slower performance and higher RAM usage compared to Windows 10's version.
Performance and Resource Usage
WindowsLatest's tests show that the preloaded File Explorer launches slower than its Windows 10 counterpart, even on lightweight hardware. Additionally, the update increases background memory consumption, significantly impacting systems with 4–8 GB of RAM. Users report lags in context menus and folder navigation.
Implications for Lower-Spec Systems
File Explorer is crucial for daily PC operations. The added memory overhead from preloading can decrease available RAM for other applications on lower-spec machines. This results in a less responsive system overall.
For now, Microsoft has enabled preloading by default in the Insider build but has not confirmed a broader release. Users are advised to monitor updates and consider disabling preloading and reducing visual effects to enhance responsiveness until Microsoft addresses the issue.
