Microsoft is working to address long-standing performance complaints about Windows 11’s File Explorer, which it has acknowledged can feel slower than in previous versions of Windows.
According to reporting from Windows Latest, the company is now focusing not just on the interface but also on the underlying file operation engine that handles tasks like delete, copy, and transfer. One of the first major improvements under testing is bulk file deletion.
The change is designed to reduce the time it takes to delete large numbers of files, whether that means hundreds of small documents or a mix of large and small items. Microsoft is targeting a performance gain of at least 30%, with internal testing suggesting the improvement could be even higher in some cases.
Why bulk delete was slower in the first place
When users delete files in Windows 11, the operating system does more than simply remove them from storage. It must also update NTFS records, permissions, system indexes, thumbnails, and other metadata tied to each file.
That overhead adds up quickly when many files are selected at once. While hardware such as SSDs plays a major role in performance, Microsoft now appears to be addressing how efficiently Windows itself handles those background operations. The goal is to reduce software-side delays, so file deletion feels more responsive across a wider range of devices.
Microsoft’s work on faster bulk deletion is part of a broader push to improve Windows 11 responsiveness across everyday tasks. Windows Latest reports that other file operations, including copying and transferring files, are also expected to benefit from similar optimizations.
The improvements are expected to roll out first to Windows Insiders in the coming weeks before reaching general users in a future update.
File Explorer getting a broader speed upgrade
Beyond file deletion, Microsoft is also reworking File Explorer itself.
The company aims to improve launch speed, reduce flickering, and eliminate UI issues that occur in dark mode.
“Our first round of improvements will focus on a quicker launch experience, reduced flicker, smoother navigation and more reliable performance for everyday file tasks,” the company said in a statement cited by Windows Latest.
Microsoft is also testing preloading techniques for File Explorer, which could make it open as quickly as it did on Windows 10, or even faster in some cases.
Alongside performance upgrades, Microsoft is reshaping how users interact with File Explorer. A redesigned right-click menu is in testing to reduce clutter and improve load times.
The company is also exploring ways to let users customize context menu options, allowing them to choose which entries appear when they right-click a file. Other under-the-hood work includes reducing File Explorer’s memory usage and modernizing legacy components such as the Properties window.
Also read: Microsoft is testing a Windows 11 toggle that could let users remove Bing, MSN, and Microsoft Store results from Search.