Microsoft is working on some low-profile but important tweaks to the Windows 11 File Explorer that could finally curb its hunger for system memory. Currently being tested in the latest Windows Insider builds, these changes aim to optimize how the file manager handles searches – specifically addressing the high RAM and CPU usage that often spikes when you’re digging through large folders.
This update is appearing in Windows 11 Build 26220.7523 and above
For now, it’s only available to those in the Insider preview program. The core of the fix is about working smarter, not harder: Microsoft wants to stop File Explorer from performing the same indexing tasks over and over again, which has been a major drain on system resources for years.
In a recent update, Microsoft noted that it has refined the search process by “eliminating duplicate file indexing operations.” Essentially, this means Windows will stop rescanning the same files multiple times during a search. It’s a common-sense fix that should make the whole experience feel a lot snappier while putting less strain on your hardware.
It is worth noting that File Explorer doesn’t actually have its own search engine; it piggybacks off the built-in Windows Search Indexer. While that indexer is supposed to be intelligent, it often gets caught in a loop of redundant tasks, causing your CPU and RAM to spike unnecessarily. By cutting out these “double-checks,” Microsoft is reducing the overall system load, which is great news for anyone running Windows on a laptop with limited memory.
Beyond the technical plumbing, Microsoft is also continuing to tidy up the File Explorer interface
Specifically the right-click context menu. In recent tests, several options that people don’t use every day – like “Copy as path,” “Compress to,” and the image rotation tools – are being tucked away into their own sub-menu.
Depending on which version of the test you see, this new sub-menu is being called either “Manage file” or “Other actions.” The goal is pretty simple: declutter the main menu so the things you actually need aren’t buried under a mountain of specialized tools you only use once a year.
While these updates are still being polished in the Insider channels, they aren’t far off from a general release. Microsoft is expected to start pushing these improvements to everyone around late January or February. If everything goes according to plan, your next Windows update might just make searching for files a whole lot quieter and your desktop a bit less cluttered.