Microsoft tests faster, cleaner File Explorer in Windows 11

Microsoft is testing a set of Windows 11 changes that aim to make File Explorer launch faster and feel less cluttered, rolling out first to Insiders in the Dev and Beta channels via a new preview build. The company has introduced an optional "Preload File Explorer" feature that quietly starts parts of Explorer in the background so that when users open a window, it appears more quickly, with Microsoft acknowledging this is intended to address slow performance reports. At the same time, Windows 11’s right‑click context menus in File Explorer and supported apps are being redesigned and reorganized, cutting down the vertical height and grouping options more efficiently to reduce the feeling of bloat. These tweaks build on earlier Windows 11 UI work and are part of an ongoing effort to refine the core file manager experience without adding visible background apps or pop‑ups for the user.

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