Η Microsoft προγραμματίζει σημαντικές αναβαθμίσεις στον File Explorer των Windows 11, αποσκοπώντας σε ταχύτερη εκκίνηση, μειωμένο flicker, ομαλότερη πλοήγηση και συνολικά αξιόπιστη λειτουργία στις καθημερινές εργασίες. Το πρώτο κύμα αλλαγών αναμένονται για τους Windows Insiders τον Απρίλιο, ενώ πιο εκτενείς βελτιώσεις σχεδιάζονται να ολοκληρωθούν μέχρι το 2026. Αξιοσημείωτο είναι ότι η Microsoft αναγνωρίζει έμμεσα ένα πρόβλημα που έχουν παρατηρήσει οι χρήστες: ο File Explorer είναι πιο αργός από αυτόν των Windows 10, παρά τις προηγούμενες προσπάθειες βελτίωσης.
What changes first in File Explorer
Initially, Microsoft is focusing on faster File Explorer startup, reduced visual flickering when opening folders, smoother navigation, and improved reliability for simple file management tasks. These upgrades are aimed at both actual performance and the sense of speed that the user experiences during their daily use.
Later, by 2026, the plans include more substantial changes, aimed at reducing latency in searches, navigation, and context menus, as well as ensuring faster and more reliable transfer or copying of large files.
Why Windows 11 fell behind in this area
Μία από τις πιο πρόσφατες ενσωματώσεις της Microsoft είναι το background preloading του File Explorer. Αυτό το σύστημα φορτώνει εκ των προτέρων πόρους στη μνήμη, με σκοπό το άνοιγμα του παραθύρου να φαίνεται πιο γρήγορο όταν ο χρήστης πατήσει το εικονίδιο. Σύμφωνα με δοκιμή του Windows Latest, αυτή η προσέγγιση έχει βελτιώσει τους χρόνους εκκίνησης, επιβαρύνοντας περίπου 35 MB μνήμης RAM, ποσότητα που θεωρείται χαμηλή για τα περισσότερα σύγχρονα υπολογιστικά συστήματα.
However, the issue isn't limited to the initial launch. The report notes that the sluggish feeling persists when navigating folders, right-clicking, and generally responding to File Explorer after launch. This means that the startup improvement doesn't eliminate the overall behavior problem.
Right-click and context menu are among the biggest problems
One of the most problematic areas in Windows 11 is the File Explorer context menu. The menu's response time remains slow as it tries to load multiple actions and integrations, such as Ask Copilot, Clipchamp, Paint, Photos, Notepad, and third-party extensions. The result is that the menu is heavier, making the experience less immediate compared to previous versions of Windows.
Microsoft has already made some initial reorganizations in recent Insider builds, moving less common actions to submenus under “Manage files.” This fix improves visual clarity and reduces the screen space the menu takes up, but it doesn’t completely eliminate the delay in loading actions.
Explorer's hybrid architecture explains part of the delay
File Explorer in Windows 11 is still based on the traditional Win32 core, but it has also been integrated with more modern interface layers, such as XAML and WinUI, with a gradual transition to WinUI 3. According to the publication, this hybrid architecture creates multiple rendering layers, which add overhead and increase response latency.
In contrast, Windows 10's Explorer relied on native interface elements, which explains why it remains a benchmark for those comparing responsiveness and speed.
Improvements are also coming to large file transfers
Microsoft also seems to be paying special attention to file operations, the process of copying and moving files. The article states that large file transfers will become faster and more reliable, at a point where users have noticed stability issues.
Indicatively, Max Tech's test on a Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra is cited, where large file transfers failed during the process. Microsoft now seems to be aiming for more fundamental changes, rather than superficial "fixes".
The changes won't be limited to File Explorer alone.
The 2026 plan also includes OS-level interventions. The company refers to reducing response times and improving the shared UI infrastructure, with the aim of increasing the use of WinUI 3 and reducing unnecessary weight in the UI stack. The aim is to mitigate delays not only in File Explorer, but in the overall responsiveness of the operating system.
Our opinion on Techblog
The bottom line is that Microsoft seems to recognize File Explorer as a core part of the user experience, not just another UI element in need of an aesthetic refresh. For Windows 11 users, the real challenge is to regain the sense of immediacy that many associate with Windows 10.
