Microsoft Admits Windows 11 File Explorer Is Still Slow, Says Preloading Is Not Enough

Solomon Thompson May 7, 2026Last Updated: May 7, 2026

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Microsoft has clearly admitted that the File Explorer in Windows 11 is still slow, and that preloading in the background is not a complete fix.

This statement came after users on X criticized the recent improvement, saying that making the Explorer load faster by preloading parts of it in memory feels like a quick trick instead of a real solution.

Preloading does help the Explorer open faster when you click it, but it does not fix the main problems. It can still feel slow when you move through folders, load thumbnails, or open menus. It also uses a bit more memory, around 35 MB of RAM, which is not a big issue for modern PCs but still adds to the feeling that this is only a surface-level fix.

Microsoft Says File Explorer Needs Deeper Fixes Beyond Preloading

Thanks for asking! As with many things, the answer is an AND. We think of startup performance holistically, which means using a range of techniques to get the best possible responsiveness in the areas customers use most. That looks like
— Tali Roth 🪟 (@TeaAndDates) May 5, 2026

Tali Roth, who works on Windows, explained that Microsoft is not choosing one solution or the other, but using both. In her words, it is a “and”, not an “or”. This means they are using preloading where it helps, but at the same time they are working on deeper changes inside the Explorer.

These changes include improving how things load, removing unnecessary parts and animations, and fixing issues that cause extra disk usage and system freezes.

This also connects to a bigger plan Microsoft has for the future: less focus on visual tricks and more focus on real improvements. The main problem with File Explorer is not just how fast it opens, but how it is built. Windows 11 still mixes old systems (Win32) with newer ones like XAML and WinUI 3, and this mix is one reason why it feels slow and sometimes inconsistent.

What is important is that Microsoft is not saying preloading is the final answer. It is only a temporary help while they work on bigger fixes. This does not remove the criticism, but it shows that Microsoft knows the problem is deeper and needs real changes in the code, not just small tricks.

Now we have to see if this mix of quick fixes and deeper work will finally make File Explorer feel faster and smoother.