Microsoft is preparing a Windows 11 update focused on improving File Explorer performance, reducing RAM usage, and speeding up file searches. The upcoming improvements are part of Insider Preview Build 26220.7523 and are expected to reach general users by early 2026.
Key Improvements
The update primarily targets redundant indexing processes in File Explorer. By eliminating repeated scans of the same folders and paths, the system can allocate memory more efficiently, resulting in smoother performance during file searches. Microsoft likens this optimization to trimming unnecessary branches from a tree, allowing the system to “grow” more efficiently.
Performance Benefits
- Reduced RAM usage: File Explorer consumes less memory when performing searches.
- Faster file indexing: Scanning and indexing times are significantly decreased.
- Improved responsiveness: Early reports from Insider testers suggest search speeds could almost double in some scenarios.
While Microsoft has not released official statistics for RAM savings, the improvement is expected to be noticeable, especially for users running memory-intensive tasks or PCs with limited RAM.
Rollout Plan
Currently, the update is available only to Windows Insider Dev and Beta channels via Build 26220.7523 with Controlled Feature Rollout. General availability is anticipated by late January or February 2026, marking a small but meaningful step toward improving system performance in an era where higher memory requirements, such as Copilot+ PCs needing 16GB RAM, are becoming standard.
