Microsoft is testing a new feature that preloads File Explorer in the background to help the application launch more efficiently. The change runs processes in the background before File Explorer launches, but remains invisible to users, so the only noticeable difference should be quicker launch times.
Users who have access to this change will see File Explorer open more rapidly compared to previous versions, without anything new on the screen visually.
All this can be disabled; Microsoft has added a control option in File Explorer settings. The “Enable window preloading for faster launch times” setting is in Folder Options under the View tab. Users can uncheck this box anytime to return File Explorer to its standard behavior without background preloading.
The company also reorganized File Explorer’s context menu to reduce clutter. Less common actions, like “Compress to ZIP file,” “Copy as Path,” and “Set as Desktop Background” now live inside a new “Manage file” flyout menu. Cloud provider options and “Send to My Phone” have moved into their relevant cloud provider flyouts, and “Open Folder Location” now sits next to “Open” and “Open with.”
Beyond File Explorer, Microsoft Store now lets users uninstall Store-managed apps directly from the library page through a three-dot menu. The Xbox full-screen experience has expanded to more Windows 11 PC form factors. Users can access it from Task View, Game Bar settings, or the Win + F11 hotkey.
The changes are currently available via Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (KB5070307).