Microsoft is rolling out performance and reliability improvements to File Explorer, including faster launch times and fewer freezes during renaming, browsing, and multi-select operations. The Address Bar now supports quotation marks and double backslashes, and middle-click tab opening has been expanded. A redesigned context menu is also rolling out to Windows Insiders, opening faster due to reduced clutter and offering a new Settings page to customize built-in commands, app extensions, and layout, including options to restore a Windows 10-style muscle-memory feel.
Table of contents
Fewer bad momentsImproving the details that matter every dayPutting you in control of the context menuBuilding a healthier File Explorer for the long termQuestions this post answers
What changed in the new Windows 11 context menu for File Explorer?
The Windows 11 context menu was redesigned to open faster, reduce top-level clutter, and add a new Settings page for customization. Users can toggle built-in commands like Send to, Create shortcut, and Print, control which app extensions appear in the main menu or submenu, and choose to list Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Delete, and Share inline instead of as icons, or move Properties to the bottom. Track how Windows Insider features evolve before they hit general release by following updates on daily.dev.
How is Microsoft improving File Explorer performance and reliability in Windows 11?
Microsoft eliminated dozens of potential freezes, hangs, and delays affecting browsing, renaming, navigating, and multi-selecting files, and made File Explorer launch faster. File renames no longer get interrupted by background sync, case-only filename changes appear immediately, and the Address Bar now supports paths with quotation marks and double backslashes. Developers watching platform stability fixes can follow Windows Insider progress on daily.dev.
2.5K Impressions1 Comment