For years, File Explorer has stood as the backbone of the Windows experience, offering users a familiar, intuitive interface to manage files and folders. As Microsoft continues to update Windows 11, incremental improvements and refinements are constantly under the microscope—none more so recently than the performance of File Explorer itself. With April's KB5055627 update, a noteworthy but under-publicized improvement has rolled out, promising faster folder loading and an overall zippier experience. Yet, as early adopters and tech journalists dig in, the prevailing sentiment remains: while File Explorer is finally less sluggish, it still isn’t fast enough to silence all detractors.
To appreciate the significance of the latest update, it’s essential to understand the context. When Microsoft launched Windows 11, File Explorer underwent a major under-the-hood overhaul. New architectural choices were made to modernize code, enhance cloud synchronization, and future-proof the core file management utility. However, these well-intentioned changes had an unintended side effect—File Explorer’s performance, especially during initial launches, fell noticeably behind its Windows 10 predecessor.
Users have long complained about the “working on it” message, which greets those opening folders for the first time in a session. On Windows 10, File Explorer nearly always appeared instantly, but the Windows 11 experience often lagged by several seconds—an eternity in the digital age. The reasons for this slowdown, Microsoft confirms, are complex: deeper integration with OneDrive and Azure cloud services, increased dependency on WinUI controls, and a shifting foundation designed for extensibility mean more initializations and network checks at launch. While this paves the way for new features, it also means more overhead on older or resource-constrained hardware.
Upon direct inquiry, Microsoft confirmed to Windows Latest that KB5055627 did, indeed, contain code “to improve the performance of File Explorer startup.” Side-by-side video comparisons showcased on these sites make the change tangible. Before the update, elements of the Explorer window trickled in slowly. Afterward, the interface appears rapidly—though, crucially, not quite to the snappy levels experienced in Windows 10.
It’s worth noting that, since this is a preview or “C-release”—essentially a beta test for Patch Tuesday’s cumulative updates—it comes with the usual cautionary caveats. Optional Windows preview updates sometimes harbor instability or bugs not present in finalized mainstream patches. For everyday users who prioritize reliability, waiting until the changes roll into the standard May 13 cumulative update is recommended.
For some, the potential value of seamless cloud features outweighs the speed penalty. For others—particularly power users on speedy local drives who rarely use OneDrive—these same “enhancements” manifest as unnecessary delays.
Some reports suggest that disabling OneDrive and other connected services can modestly improve File Explorer’s opening speed. Still, baked-in dependencies on WinUI and asynchronous data models mean that loading isn’t always purely local anymore. In effect, Microsoft appears committed to a future in which File Explorer is both a local and cloud-native tool—a decision that may never fully recapture the bare-metal speed of Windows 10.
A factor to keep in mind is that this update also includes fixes for unrelated system stability (notably addressing some blue screen crash scenarios) but carries the usual preview caveats. Bugs, incompatibilities, or rare edge case issues could be present until the patch completes full QA in mainstream deployment.
For most non-developer users, the advice is straightforward: unless File Explorer’s slow open time is a daily productivity roadblock, patience remains advisable. According to Microsoft’s official update cadence, these performance gains are expected to formally land for all users in the regular May 13 cumulative update.
KB5055627 helps tip the scales back toward performance, confirming that Microsoft is listening to feedback. However, by favoring backend modernization and cloud intelligence, the company inevitably asks users to trade a measure of raw speed for functional versatility. This is not inherently bad, but the lack of visible user-facing settings to tune or opt-out of such features compounds frustration among certain user segments.
Moreover, the way this improvement was quietly delivered—with performance boosts undisclosed in official patch notes and only confirmed after media inquiry—warrants scrutiny. Transparency should be prioritized, especially as passionate Windows users and IT professionals scrutinize every change.
Yet, for all the progress, Windows 10 remains unbeaten for raw File Explorer responsiveness. The improvements, while welcome, stop short of perfection. Windows 11’s File Explorer is now “fast enough” for many, but the quest for instant, no-compromise file access remains open. As Microsoft refines its flagship OS with further updates and feature drops, the enduring challenge will be to combine new cloud intelligence with classic Windows efficiency—delivering a File Explorer experience worthy of its legacy.
For users, the message is clear: better days are here, but the perfect File Explorer may require just a few more tweaks. Stay tuned—the world’s most-used file manager is still a work in progress, and your feedback continues to shape its future.
Source: TechRadar Microsoft finally fixes Windows 11’s folders so they open much faster with new update – but it's still not quick enough for my liking
Windows 11’s File Explorer Evolution: Breaking Down the Bottleneck
To appreciate the significance of the latest update, it’s essential to understand the context. When Microsoft launched Windows 11, File Explorer underwent a major under-the-hood overhaul. New architectural choices were made to modernize code, enhance cloud synchronization, and future-proof the core file management utility. However, these well-intentioned changes had an unintended side effect—File Explorer’s performance, especially during initial launches, fell noticeably behind its Windows 10 predecessor.Users have long complained about the “working on it” message, which greets those opening folders for the first time in a session. On Windows 10, File Explorer nearly always appeared instantly, but the Windows 11 experience often lagged by several seconds—an eternity in the digital age. The reasons for this slowdown, Microsoft confirms, are complex: deeper integration with OneDrive and Azure cloud services, increased dependency on WinUI controls, and a shifting foundation designed for extensibility mean more initializations and network checks at launch. While this paves the way for new features, it also means more overhead on older or resource-constrained hardware.
The April 2024 KB5055627 Update: What Changed?
Patch KB5055627 arrived as an optional “preview” update at the end of April 2024, targeting both Windows 11 version 23H2 and the upcoming 24H2 release. The official release notes curiously omitted any mention of File Explorer speed, instead focusing on stability and security tweaks. Nevertheless, both users and outlets like Windows Latest and TechRadar observed a marked difference: File Explorer popped open significantly faster, with much shorter delays before files and navigation panes appeared.Upon direct inquiry, Microsoft confirmed to Windows Latest that KB5055627 did, indeed, contain code “to improve the performance of File Explorer startup.” Side-by-side video comparisons showcased on these sites make the change tangible. Before the update, elements of the Explorer window trickled in slowly. Afterward, the interface appears rapidly—though, crucially, not quite to the snappy levels experienced in Windows 10.
It’s worth noting that, since this is a preview or “C-release”—essentially a beta test for Patch Tuesday’s cumulative updates—it comes with the usual cautionary caveats. Optional Windows preview updates sometimes harbor instability or bugs not present in finalized mainstream patches. For everyday users who prioritize reliability, waiting until the changes roll into the standard May 13 cumulative update is recommended.
Quantifying the Improvements: How Much Faster Is File Explorer Now?
While Microsoft hasn’t published precise benchmarks for pre- and post-patch File Explorer launch times, both anecdotal evidence and tech press hands-on videos suggest the improvement is substantial. Pre-patch, it wasn’t unusual for Explorer to take 2–4 seconds to load up fully, sometimes with missing UI elements and a “working on it” placeholder. Post-update, typical launch delays have dropped to the 1–2 second range, even on the same hardware.- Before the update: File Explorer often suffered a noticeable 2–4 second delay on initial launch, with incomplete interface rendering and slow population of contents.
- After KB5055627: The delay has dropped considerably, with the Home screen and file lists populating in about 1–2 seconds in most test scenarios.
The Invisible Trade-offs: Speed vs. Cloud Features
The root causes of File Explorer’s slower performance can’t be separated from Microsoft’s broader strategic goals. Windows 11 is deeply intertwined with the Microsoft cloud, from OneDrive to cross-device synchronization and contextual recommendations. Modernized File Explorer relies extensively on network checks, online status updates, and real-time data hooks to power these integrations.For some, the potential value of seamless cloud features outweighs the speed penalty. For others—particularly power users on speedy local drives who rarely use OneDrive—these same “enhancements” manifest as unnecessary delays.
Some reports suggest that disabling OneDrive and other connected services can modestly improve File Explorer’s opening speed. Still, baked-in dependencies on WinUI and asynchronous data models mean that loading isn’t always purely local anymore. In effect, Microsoft appears committed to a future in which File Explorer is both a local and cloud-native tool—a decision that may never fully recapture the bare-metal speed of Windows 10.
Windows Community Reaction: Cautious Optimism, Lingering Frustrations
Across popular forums and discussion threads, the reception to File Explorer’s speed boost has been cautiously positive, tempered by some ongoing skepticism:- Reddit’s r/Windows11 threads are filled with users who immediately noticed the post-patch improvement, yet many still lament that their older machines—even ones with SSDs—don’t match the reflexive launch speed of Windows 10.
- TechRadar’s own review makes it clear: The update is a step in the right direction, but the lag—however reduced—remains perceptible and, for some, irksome.
- Advanced users in Microsoft’s Feedback Hub have requested new options to modularize or trim down Explorer’s cloud integrations, hoping for a best-of-both-worlds approach.
Risks and Considerations: Should You Install Now, or Wait?
With the update not yet universally deployed—and being marked as an "optional" preview—users face a familiar choice. Beta testers and enthusiasts have already applied KB5055627 with mostly positive results, but for mission-critical systems, conventional wisdom still applies: wait for broader Patch Tuesday deployment.A factor to keep in mind is that this update also includes fixes for unrelated system stability (notably addressing some blue screen crash scenarios) but carries the usual preview caveats. Bugs, incompatibilities, or rare edge case issues could be present until the patch completes full QA in mainstream deployment.
For most non-developer users, the advice is straightforward: unless File Explorer’s slow open time is a daily productivity roadblock, patience remains advisable. According to Microsoft’s official update cadence, these performance gains are expected to formally land for all users in the regular May 13 cumulative update.
Comparing Windows 10 vs. Windows 11 File Explorer Performance: The Technical Details
To fully verify the nature and extent of File Explorer performance changes, it is critical to reference not only anecdotal user accounts but authoritative technical documentation and independent reviews.- Microsoft’s documentation on File Explorer architecture in Windows 11 confirms the adoption of more modular, extensible components using WinUI 3 and increased reliance on background telemetry and cloud hooks.
- Independent benchmarks published by outlets such as Windows Central and The Verge throughout Windows 11’s lifecycle repeatedly show that, measured in milliseconds, the gap between Windows 10 and Windows 11’s File Explorer launch times is real—often up to 2x slower on comparable hardware, especially during initial launches after a restart.
- Some experts, including Windows Insider MVPs, attribute this delta directly to background checks for cloud connectivity and content indexing—a point echoed in Microsoft’s developer blogs.
Notable Strengths in the Latest Update
- Noticeable speed boost: File Explorer now opens faster, with clearer prioritization of core UI elements before populating content panes.
- No discernible regressions: Early testers report that existing functionality and stability are maintained.
- Transparent confirmation from Microsoft: While not initially in the patch notes, Microsoft responded to direct inquiry and confirmed the performance work, providing a rare glimpse of internal priorities.
Persistent Weaknesses and Areas for Microsoft to Watch
- Still lagging behind Windows 10: Despite real gains, File Explorer in Windows 11 is not yet as instant as its predecessor, particularly for cold starts.
- Cloud overhead: Users uninterested in online features continue to pay a speed penalty for integrations they may not use—a persistent point of user frustration.
- Limited user control: There is no granular way to toggle off all cloud checks or revert to a “lite” local-only mode for File Explorer.
- Transparency: The “hidden” nature of this improvement and its omission from public-facing release notes signals a need for clearer communication with power users.
Critical Analysis: Microsoft’s Balancing Act Between Progress and Performance
The ongoing work to modernize File Explorer is emblematic of Microsoft’s broader strategy. On one side is the imperative to push cloud-first experiences, laying technical groundwork for features like Universal Search, recommended files, and cross-device workflow continuity. On the other is the expectation—especially among legacy users—that core system utilities remain as fast, if not faster, than ever before.KB5055627 helps tip the scales back toward performance, confirming that Microsoft is listening to feedback. However, by favoring backend modernization and cloud intelligence, the company inevitably asks users to trade a measure of raw speed for functional versatility. This is not inherently bad, but the lack of visible user-facing settings to tune or opt-out of such features compounds frustration among certain user segments.
Moreover, the way this improvement was quietly delivered—with performance boosts undisclosed in official patch notes and only confirmed after media inquiry—warrants scrutiny. Transparency should be prioritized, especially as passionate Windows users and IT professionals scrutinize every change.
Where Does File Explorer Go From Here?
Looking forward, several tracks for improvement suggest themselves:- Further optimization: Continued bugfixing and code streamlining could continue to shutter the performance gap in future updates.
- User customization: Offering an “offline-first” mode or more granular cloud feature toggles would address the needs of local file management purists.
- Communication: More explicit release notes, targeted user messaging, and public roadmaps for utility improvements would build trust and reduce rumors or confusion.
Practical Advice for Users: Making the Most of File Explorer in Windows 11 (May 2024)
- If speed is crucial: Wait for the cumulative update in May to automatically receive the performance improvements.
- For power users: Disabling certain cloud features (like OneDrive auto-launch) may yield marginal speed benefits, but core architectural changes cannot be entirely bypassed.
- Bug reports and feedback: If issues persist after the update, utilize the Windows Feedback Hub—Microsoft has demonstrated its willingness to respond.
Conclusion: Faster, But the Quest for Instant Access Continues
Windows 11’s latest update, encapsulated in KB5055627, delivers what most users have anxiously awaited: a measurable, tangible boost in File Explorer speed. The change, long overdue, validates community feedback and demonstrates Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to balance modernization with usability.Yet, for all the progress, Windows 10 remains unbeaten for raw File Explorer responsiveness. The improvements, while welcome, stop short of perfection. Windows 11’s File Explorer is now “fast enough” for many, but the quest for instant, no-compromise file access remains open. As Microsoft refines its flagship OS with further updates and feature drops, the enduring challenge will be to combine new cloud intelligence with classic Windows efficiency—delivering a File Explorer experience worthy of its legacy.
For users, the message is clear: better days are here, but the perfect File Explorer may require just a few more tweaks. Stay tuned—the world’s most-used file manager is still a work in progress, and your feedback continues to shape its future.
Source: TechRadar Microsoft finally fixes Windows 11’s folders so they open much faster with new update – but it's still not quick enough for my liking
