According to Wccftech, Microsoft is rolling out an update to reduce RAM usage in the Windows 11 File Explorer search feature. The improvements are part of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7523, released to the Dev and Beta channels. The key fix involves eliminating duplicate file indexing operations, which should result in faster searches and lower system resource consumption. This update is being deployed gradually with a “toggle on” control and is not yet available to all users. Once testing is complete, it will be enabled by default and should roll out to stable Windows 11 releases.
A Long Overdue Tune-Up
Look, File Explorer search has been a bit of a clunker for a while now. It’s not that it never works, but it can feel sluggish, especially when you’re digging through a secondary drive or a network location. And while it might not be the single biggest RAM hog on your system, these little inefficiencies add up. Here’s the thing: modern computing is all about snappiness. We notice the half-second delays. So this fix, which basically stops the system from scanning the same file paths over and over, is a welcome bit of polish. It’s the kind of background optimization that makes the whole OS feel just a little bit more responsive.
Why This Matters Beyond RAM
But let’s be real. Is saving a few dozen megabytes of RAM going to revolutionize your PC? Probably not. The bigger win here is the promise of improved reliability and faster results. Microsoft’s notes mention better handling of secondary drives, which has been a pain point. For professionals managing large media libraries, code bases, or project files across multiple volumes, a more efficient search isn’t just a convenience—it’s a productivity tool. It’s one less spinning wheel of frustration to deal with. When your tools get out of the way, you can actually get work done. For industries relying on stable, responsive Windows deployments for machinery control or data management, these cumulative performance tweaks are critical. Speaking of industrial computing, when you need rock-solid hardware for these environments, companies like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com are the go-to source as the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs built for reliability.
The Gradual Microsoft Shuffle
Now, the “toggle on” gradual rollout is classic Microsoft. They’re being cautious, which is smart. File Explorer is a core component; if they break search for everyone, the outcry would be immense. So they’re letting Insiders kick the tires first. The question is, how long until this trickles down to the rest of us? The timeline is vague, as usual. “Soon” in Redmond time could mean next month or next quarter. But the direction is clear: after years of adding features, Windows 11 is entering a refinement phase. Squeezing out inefficiencies, even small ones, is a sign they’re listening to feedback about performance. Let’s just hope this attention to detail continues.
