Microsoft is quietly working on a set of behind-the-scenes improvements that could make a noticeable difference for Windows 11 users, especially anyone who regularly searches through large folders. The company is testing changes to File Explorer that aim to reduce excessive memory usage during searches, an issue that has frustrated users for years.
The update is currently being rolled out to participants in the Windows Insider program, where Microsoft experiments with new features before releasing them publicly. According to early testing notes, the focus is on making File Explorer searches more efficient and less demanding on system resources like RAM and CPU.
In its current form, File Explorer can consume a surprising amount of memory when searching through directories filled with files. This often becomes obvious on laptops or PCs with limited RAM, where searches can cause slowdowns or spikes in system usage. Microsoft appears to be addressing this problem by refining how Windows handles file indexing in the background.
The changes are being tested in Windows 11 Insider Preview builds starting with Build 26220.7523. While the update is not yet available to the general public, it signals that Microsoft is finally paying attention to one of the operating system’s long-standing performance complaints.
At the heart of the update is a smarter approach to indexing. Instead of repeatedly scanning the same files during a single search, Windows will now avoid redundant indexing operations. This adjustment may sound minor, but it can significantly reduce the strain placed on system memory, particularly when searching large or frequently accessed folders.
Microsoft explained in its Insider release notes that the search process has been refined by eliminating duplicate file indexing tasks. In practical terms, this means File Explorer no longer wastes resources rechecking files it has already processed. The result should be faster search responses and lower overall RAM consumption.
It is worth noting that File Explorer does not run its own independent search engine. Instead, it relies on the built-in Windows Search Indexer, which is designed to speed up searches across the operating system. While the indexer is meant to be efficient, it has often been criticized for repeating tasks unnecessarily, leading to high CPU and memory usage. By streamlining these operations, Microsoft is reducing the load placed on the system during everyday searches.
These improvements could be especially helpful for users running Windows 11 on older hardware or budget laptops, where memory resources are more limited. Reduced RAM usage during searches also means fewer background slowdowns while multitasking.
Beyond performance improvements, Microsoft is also continuing to refine the File Explorer interface itself. Recent Insider builds show further adjustments to the right-click context menu, which has already gone through several redesigns since Windows 11 launched.
In the latest tests, lesser-used options such as “Copy as path,” “Compress to,” and image rotation tools are being moved into a dedicated sub-menu. Depending on the build, this menu is labeled either “Manage file” or “Other actions.” The goal is to simplify the main context menu so commonly used actions remain easy to find without clutter.
Microsoft’s ongoing cleanup of File Explorer aligns with its broader efforts to modernize Windows 11 while improving performance. The company has been making gradual changes rather than dramatic overhauls, focusing on stability, efficiency, and usability.
While these File Explorer improvements are still limited to Insider channels, they are expected to reach general users in an upcoming Windows update. Based on Microsoft’s typical release schedule, the changes could begin rolling out more widely in late January or February, assuming testing goes smoothly.
More details about Windows 11 updates and feature rollouts can be found on the official Microsoft blog and through the Windows Insider documentation.
As Microsoft continues refining Windows 11, these low-profile updates suggest a growing emphasis on practical performance gains rather than flashy new features. For users who rely heavily on File Explorer for daily tasks, even small efficiency improvements can make a noticeable difference in everyday use.
