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Microsoft Tests File Explorer Preloading for Performance Improvements

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Microsoft is continuing to test and roll out File Explorer performance improvements for Windows 11, including preloading for faster launch times and context menu updates to reduce clutter. Recent updates introduce reliability fixes for the explorer.exe process, address bright white flashes in dark mode, and add Xbox mode as a full-screen gaming interface. Changes are being deployed to Insiders in the Release Preview channel running Windows 11 24H2/25H2 with builds 26100.8313 and 26200.8313 (KB5083631). Earlier testing focused on optional preloading of File Explorer to enhance launch performance and reorganizing the context menu into grouped tasks, alongside Startup Boost for Office apps introduced in May 2025.

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  1. 24.11.2025 15:08 2 articles · 4mo ago

    Microsoft Tests File Explorer Preloading for Performance Improvements

    Microsoft is rolling out multiple File Explorer changes to Windows 11 Insiders in the Release Preview channel, including performance improvements for launch speed and reliability fixes. The changes affect builds 26100.8313 and 26200.8313 (KB5083611) of Windows 11 24H2/25H2. Additionally, it is improving the reliability of stopping the explorer.exe process after closing File Explorer windows and addressing bright white flashes in dark mode for Insiders in the Beta Channel when set to open to 'This PC'. The bright white flashes issue was previously linked to the KB5070311 optional non-security update and occurred during specific File Explorer operations. The article also confirms Xbox mode availability on Windows 11 PCs, a full-screen gaming interface accessible via the Xbox app, Game Bar settings, or Win + F11.

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Similar Happenings

Windows 11 KB5070311 Update Addresses File Explorer and Search Issues

Microsoft has released the KB5070311 optional preview cumulative update for Windows 11, addressing File Explorer freezes, search issues, and other bugs. The update includes 49 changes and is part of the monthly preview updates that precede Patch Tuesday releases. It fixes issues with explorer.exe process responsiveness, SMB share search problems, and LSASS instability. However, the update also introduced a new bug causing bright white flashes when launching File Explorer in dark mode. Microsoft has since fixed this issue with the December KB5072033 Patch Tuesday cumulative update. The update is available for manual installation and updates Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 devices to builds 26200.7309 and 26100.7309, respectively. Additionally, Microsoft announced there will be no preview update in December 2025 due to minimal operations during the Western holidays, with normal updates resuming in January 2026. Microsoft is still working to fully address the File Explorer white flash issue in dark mode, with the bug fix rolling out to all Windows Insiders in the Beta and Dev channels who install the Windows 11 Build 26220.7961 (KB5079382) and Windows 11 Build 26300.7965 (KB5079385) preview builds. The latest Windows 11 preview builds also add support for voice typing (Windows key plus H) when renaming files in File Explorer and improve reliability when unblocking files downloaded from the internet to preview them in File Explorer. Starting in November, Microsoft began testing an optional Windows 11 feature that preloads File Explorer in the background to improve performance and speed up launch times.

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