Microsoft's latest update, Windows 11 KB5055627 (Build 26100.3915), introduces significant performance enhancements to File Explorer, particularly when accessing the "Home" tab. Users have reported noticeably faster launch times, addressing previous concerns about sluggishness in navigating files and folders.
The "Home" tab in File Explorer, which displays sections like Recent, Favorites, and Shared, has historically experienced delays during initialization. This sluggishness was partly due to the integration of modern UI components and cloud services, necessitating the loading of various elements such as COM objects for shell extensions and synchronization icons. These processes contributed to the extended loading times observed by users.
With the release of KB5055627, Microsoft has optimized the underlying code of File Explorer, resulting in a more responsive experience. Although the official release notes do not explicitly mention performance improvements, the update includes support for Microsoft 365 content within File Explorer, enhancing productivity by providing relevant suggestions directly in the interface.
This update is currently optional and can be manually installed by selecting the "Download and Install" option in Windows Update. For users who prefer to wait, the improvements will be included in the mandatory Patch Tuesday security updates scheduled for May 13, 2025.
In addition to performance enhancements, the update introduces visual changes to File Explorer, such as darker blue and green shades for drive storage indicators and a progress bar that appears during file copy or move operations. Furthermore, an issue where File Explorer's menu opened in the opposite direction has been addressed.
These updates reflect Microsoft's ongoing commitment to refining the user experience in Windows 11, addressing both performance and usability concerns to meet the needs of its diverse user base.
Source: Windows Latest Windows 11 KB5055627 finally makes File Explorer faster on Windows 11 24H2
