Microsoft tests faster Windows File Explorer, new context menu
Microsoft has started testing a faster File Explorer and a less cluttered and more customizable context menu in Windows 11 preview builds rolling out to Insiders this week.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Microsoft is testing a faster File Explorer and a new context menu in Windows 11 preview builds. The changes aim to improve File Explorer speed, performance, and reliability, and make the context menu faster, simpler, and more customizable.
Imagine you're using a computer and you want to rename a file. But every time you try to rename it, the computer gets stuck and can't finish the job. Microsoft is trying to fix this problem by making the computer's file explorer work faster and more smoothly. They're also making it easier for users to customize the context menu, which is the menu that pops up when you right-click on a file.
Analysis
Redesigned Context Menu Experience
Microsoft has redesigned the context menu experience to make it faster, reduce clutter, and make it more customizable than ever before. The new design reduces top-level clutter, keeps commonly used actions easy to access, and introduces a new Settings experience that gives users more control over what appears in the menu. The new context menu also includes a "Customize menu" shortcut to the Settings page, where users can tweak the context menu to suit their preferences.
Improving File Explorer Speed and Performance
Microsoft has continued refining File Explorer based on customer feedback, removing friction and improving the details that help make everyday tasks feel more natural and predictable. For example, file renames no longer get interrupted by background file synchronization, and case-only filename changes now appear immediately. These changes follow a broader effort to improve Windows Explorer speed and performance for Windows 11 users, with the most recent changes including another set of File Explorer improvements that rolled out in April.
Preloading File Explorer in the Background
Microsoft began testing a feature in November designed to preload File Explorer in the background to improve launch times and performance. However, that was optional, allowing users who wanted to disable preloading to uncheck "Enable window preloading for faster launch times" in File Explorer's Folder Options under the View tab. This feature is similar to the optional feature for Microsoft Office apps that launches a Windows scheduled task in the background during system logon to help launch Office apps faster.
Key points
- Microsoft is testing a faster File Explorer and a new context menu in Windows 11 preview builds.
- The changes aim to improve File Explorer speed, performance, and reliability, and make the context menu faster, simpler, and more customizable.
- The new context menu includes a "Customize menu" shortcut to the Settings page, where users can tweak the context menu to suit their preferences.
- Microsoft has continued refining File Explorer based on customer feedback, removing friction and improving the details that help make everyday tasks feel more natural and predictable.
- The company began testing a feature in November designed to preload File Explorer in the background to improve launch times and performance.
If these changes are successful, users can expect a faster and more reliable File Explorer experience, which can improve their overall productivity and user experience. Additionally, the new context menu experience can provide users with more control over their file explorer settings, which can lead to a more personalized and efficient workflow.
However, there is a risk that these changes may not be fully implemented or may have unintended consequences, which can lead to a slower or less reliable File Explorer experience. Additionally, users may need to adapt to the new context menu experience, which can take time and may require additional training or support.
