Understanding the Slow Details View in Windows 11 File Explorer

If you frequently use Windows 11’s File Explorer, you might have noticed that the Details view, which is essential for seeing file metadata like size, type, and modification date, sometimes feels sluggish. Files can take a notable time to populate, and scrolling can be jerky, undermining productivity.

Background and Context

Windows 11 introduced a revamped File Explorer with a visually modern design, including a streamlined command bar, touch improvements, and enhanced integration with Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem like OneDrive and Azure. While these features offer richer functionality, they also add complexity.

Key system changes—such as new UI layers built with WinUI 3, tighter cloud integration, and real-time metadata fetching—mean File Explorer now does more work behind the scenes than previous Windows versions, sometimes at the cost of speed, especially in the Details view.

Core Causes of the Slowdown

  1. Memory Leaks and UI Overhead: The new command bar and UI elements sometimes cause increased and unreleased memory usage when browsing large directories.
  2. Metadata Overload: Details view fetches rich metadata, which can overload the system, especially for folders with hundreds or thousands of files or resource-intensive formats like videos.
  3. Search Indexer Issues: A malfunctioning or corrupt search index forces on-the-fly metadata retrieval, slowing down file listing.
  4. Quick Access Cache Bloat: Quick Access's cache, if bloated or referencing offline files, can delay Explorer’s performance.
  5. Hardware Limitations: Older PCs with HDDs, less than 8GB RAM, or aging CPUs suffer more performance hits.
  6. Background App Interference: Third-party antivirus, context menu extensions, or cloud backup apps can interfere with file scanning, adding delay.

Recent Improvements and Microsoft’s Updates

Microsoft’s April 2024 optional preview update KB5055627 notably improved File Explorer startup times, with users reporting reductions from 2-4 seconds down to 1-2 seconds in many cases. This update trimmed the initial UI loading delay, although Windows 10's Explorer still leads in raw responsiveness.

However, these improvements come with trade-offs: increased cloud integration and network checks cause some overhead, and Microsoft currently lacks granular user controls to disable these features selectively.

Proven Tips to Speed Up File Explorer’s Details View

Here are practical, low-risk fixes and workarounds to regain responsiveness:

  1. Restart File Explorer: Press INLINECODE0 to open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer, right-click and choose Restart to clear memory glitches.
  2. Use Full-Screen Mode: Press INLINECODE1 to switch File Explorer fullscreen; this can temporarily reduce memory-related UI stalls.
  3. Disable Quick Access on Launch: Set the default folder to "This PC" in Folder Options and clear Quick Access’s cache by unchecking "Show recent files" and "Show frequent folders".
  4. Optimize Folder Types: For large or mixed folders, right-click → Properties → Customize tab → Set type to "General Items" and apply to subfolders to simplify metadata processing.
  5. Rebuild the Search Index: Use "Indexing Options" in Control Panel, run the troubleshooter, or rebuild the index to ensure efficient metadata retrieval.
  6. Close Unnecessary Apps: Use Task Manager to close background resource-heavy applications that compete for CPU and RAM.
  7. Scan for Malware: Run Windows Security or third-party antivirus scans, as malware can degrade system performance.
  8. Consider Third-Party File Managers: Alternatives like Files and XYplorer sometimes offer smoother and customizable browsing for power users.
  9. Stay Updated: Regularly apply Windows updates, especially cumulative updates like 24H2, which continue improving File Explorer’s performance.

Implications and Impact

The slow Details view affects daily productivity, especially for professionals dealing with large file sets like photographers, videographers, and office workers. Waiting multiple seconds per folder adds up to lost time and frustration.

Microsoft’s balancing act between cloud-enabled intelligence and fast local file access remains central. The ecosystem's future hinges on optimizing backend processes while possibly offering users more control over cloud synchronization features.

Looking Forward

Community feedback and ongoing updates indicate Microsoft’s commitment to improving File Explorer. Users can expect continuous performance tuning, and potential new options for modular cloud feature control may arrive.

For now, applying the tips above can significantly mitigate slowdowns and restore a smoother browsing experience.

Technical Summary of KB5055627 Update Impact:
  • Reduced File Explorer open delay from typical 2-4 seconds to 1-2 seconds.
  • Prioritizes core UI elements first for faster user feedback.
  • Addresses memory leaks seen in UI components.
  • Maintains legacy cloud sync while improving local responsiveness.
  • Remains less snappy than Windows 10’s File Explorer but is improving.