Microsoft has officially acknowledged one of the most persistent complaints among Windows 11 users: File Explorer feels noticeably slower compared to Windows 10. Many users have reported delays of more than a second, often being greeted with a blank window showing “Working on it…” before their files appear.
Now, the company is preparing a long-term fix.
As part of its ongoing performance optimization efforts, Microsoft is introducing a new feature that preloads File Explorer in the background, allowing the app to open instantly. This upgrade is currently being tested in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 for users in the Dev and Beta channels. A wider rollout is expected in early 2026.
Why File Explorer Became Slower in Windows 11
Despite running on powerful hardware, Windows 11 users consistently report slower File Explorer performance compared to Windows 10. In Windows 10, File Explorer typically opened immediately, but the redesigned Windows 11 version introduced delays—even on high-end systems.
Part of the problem lies in how File Explorer loads. While the core Windows shell (explorer.exe) is always running to support the desktop and taskbar, File Explorer itself is not kept active in the background. This means every time a user opens it, the system has to spin up the interface from scratch.
Microsoft’s Solution: Keep File Explorer Preloaded
Under the new system, File Explorer will remain preloaded in memory, allowing the interface to appear instantly when launched. This preload mechanism aims to eliminate:
- Launch delays
- Blank windows
- The “Working on it…” loading message
- UI lag when navigating folders
In simple terms, Windows 11 will finally match — or potentially exceed — the snappy responsiveness of File Explorer in Windows 10.
Microsoft says this change should significantly improve real-world performance, especially for users who open File Explorer multiple times throughout the day.
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