Windows 10: Microsoft confesses that File Explorer loads too slow in Windows, plans to enable preload...

File Explorer is the main file manager of the Windows operating system. Previously called Windows Explorer, Microsoft renamed the tool and has modified it significantly in the past decade. From adding a new recommended section and a dual-context menu, to advertisement and sprinkling light doses of AI functionality on top of the ever-growing application.

In the latest Insider build of Windows 11 that Microsoft released, the company admitted something that it usually does not: that a component in Windows lacked in the performance department.

Here in particular, Microsoft confessed that File Explorer launch performance was sub-par and that it is introducing preloading of File Explorer to address the issue.

Note that this has nothing to do with select folders opening slowly in File Explorer. There is a tweak that you may apply to speed that up, but it is independent from what Microsoft is trying to fix and introducing.

This should not be visible to users, according to Microsoft, but it is too early for a final verdict on the change. It is introduced in a beta build after all and that means that most of the testing happens on user devices after all.

Granted, depending on the PC system that is used, it may take a second or two before File Explorer opens, even if you use the handy shortcut Windows-E to launch it.

Good news is that users may turn off the preloading. This can be useful if you do not notice a difference to before or even a regression.

Here is how that is done:

1. Open File Explorer on the PC in questino.
2. Select View > Folder Options.
3. Remove the checkmark from "enable window preloading for faster launch times".

This should take care of the preloading and return the status quo. Microsoft plans to enable the preloading by default, which means that you do need to become active to turn it off again.

Tests will show if the preloading has a positive net effect on the launch of File Explorer. Also, if the change will have negative consequences, for instance by prolonging the system start or increasing RAM usage.

It will take some time before the change lands in stable versions. Microsoft has not yet revealed when that is going to happen, it could be in the coming months or as part of the 2026 feature update for Windows.

Now You: Do you use File Explorer as a Windows user, or have you switched to a third-party file manager? How fast does File Explorer load on your system? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

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File explorer slow/Never loading solution

Disable Search won't make icons load faster. It just disables the ability to find programs and other stuff fast!
Naturally I tested your "tips" and still, loading icons are slow. It has to be some other thing going on in W10. Windows 7 didn't have this problem. Microsoft wake up!

 

File explorer slow/Never loading solution


Ok so since upgrading from 7 to 10 file explorer has been a absolute nightmare! Everything was either incredibly slow, didn't happen or only partially load. After enduring this to this day I have decided enough is enough and started diagnosing by limiting the startup services using MSconfig.

After going through enabling startup services groups at the time and restarting the computer everytime! Eventually I found the service that was causing the problems with file explorer. The service is called Windows search and once disabled it restored functionality to file explorer. The search function in file explorer works but the search in the taskbar doesn't.

Step by step guide:
1. Hold Win+r to open run
2. Type msconfig and hit ok or enter
3. Click Services
4. Navigate to Windows search (you can sort the list in descending alphabetical order)
5. Uncheck tickbox
6. Click apply then ok
7. Select to restart now

Hope this works for you.

 

Enable or Disable Microsoft Edge Tab Preloading in Windows 10  

OK, I understand that I cannot find the entries in the registry because the default settings doesn't have them, i.e. they haven't yet been created either via GPEdit or .REG file.

Discussing just Option 2 (Enable or Disable Microsoft Edge Tab Preloading using a REG file), I also understand that the .REG file in step 3 creates a key/value entry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE which has the effect of 'Disable Tab Preloading'.

What I don't understand is why - in step 2 (Enable Tab Preloading), i.e. to revert to default - the .REG file removes keys under both HKEY_CURRENT_USER and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

Why would there be a need in step 2 to remove a key under HKEY_CURRENT_USER (to revert to default) if step 3 didn't create the key/value under HKEY_CURRENT_USER in the first place?