HOG Networks

If you use a Windows PC every day, there’s one thing you probably open without even thinking about it.

File Explorer.

It’s how you find files, move things around, open folders… basically the backbone of getting work done on your computer.

And if it’s slow or glitchy, you feel it right away 😡

That’s why this update to Windows 11 is more important than it sounds…

Microsoft is working on a tune-up of File Explorer.

And it’s all about speed and reliability.

Early testing showed it opens faster, especially when you first launch it after starting your PC.

That alone makes a difference, because those little delays add up across the day.

There’s also a fix for something that’s been annoying people for a while. Can you guess what it is? 🤔

If you use dark mode, you might have noticed random white flashes when opening folders or switching views.

They’ve finally sorted that 🥳

There are a few practical improvements too.

You’ll be able to open more types of compressed files (things like ZIP files, but in different formats) without needing extra software.

And File Explorer itself should behave more reliably, especially when closing windows or switching between tasks.

That’s important, because when it misbehaves, it can affect other parts of Windows like the taskbar.

These changes are already being rolled out now. Have you noticed any difference yet?

Things might feel a bit quicker, smoother, and a little less frustrating.

And that’s where the real productivity gains come from.

👉 Does File Explorer feel quick and reliable for you, or is it one of those things you’ve learned to tolerate?

You probably don’t think about the Start Menu very often.

It would be a little odd if you did.

But it’s one of the most used parts of Windows 11. And when it doesn’t behave how you expect, it’s surprisingly frustrating 😫

Microsoft is working on a redesign, and this time the focus is less on changing how it looks, and more on giving you control over it.

The idea is simple 💡

Instead of everyone getting the same layout, you’ll be able to decide what shows up and how it’s arranged.

So, if that “Recommended” section feels like clutter, you can turn it off.

If you prefer a larger or smaller menu, you’ll be able to choose, rather than it being decided by your device.

There’s even talk of switching off things like the full app list if you don’t use it.

It’s a move towards making the Start Menu fit around you, instead of the other way round.

There’s also a performance angle here, which matters more than you might think.

The new version is expected to respond faster, even when your computer is busy.

That means when you open it and start typing, it should keep up without lag or missed keystrokes.

If you use search a lot, that’s good news, right?

In honesty, early feedback wasn’t great. But that’s not unusual when it comes to the Start Menu.

People get used to a certain way of working, and even small changes can feel like a step backwards at first.

You still hear people say they prefer how things worked in Windows 10 🤯

But anything that affects how quickly people can open apps, find files, or move between tasks has an impact on how smoothly the day runs.

If things are sped up, that’s got to be good news.

It’ll be interesting to see whether this version sticks, or whether it sparks another round of debate.

🤔 If you could tweak your Start Menu, what would you change to make your day easier?

If you’ve ever set up a new PC, you’ll know this moment…

You think you’re nearly done, then Windows says it’s “just getting things ready”.

And you’re stuck waiting 😅

Sometimes for quite a while.

But now there’s a small change coming to Windows 11 that could make that a lot less painful.

Microsoft is adding an option to skip updates during the initial setup.

That means you can get straight to your desktop faster, instead of sitting through all the extra downloads and installs.

There’ll be a simple “Update later” option.

Click that, and you’re in.

Depending on your internet speed, that could save you 20 to 30 minutes ⏱️

In some situations, that’s genuinely useful.

Think slow Wi-Fi or setting up multiple devices.

Or just wanting to get up and running quickly so you can carry on with your day.

But of course, there is a catch.

Those updates you’re skipping… they include security fixes 🔐

The bits that protect your device from known threats.

If you skip them and jump straight online, you’re more exposed than you should be.

So, while it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use this feature, you should use it sensibly.

And only when you really need to.

A good approach would be:

⭐️ Get to the desktop quickly �
⭐️ Start the updates straight away �
⭐️ Let them run while you set things up in the background

That way you’re not stuck watching a loading screen, but you’re still getting protected as soon as possible.

What I like about this is the choice.

You’re not forced to wait. You can decide what works best in that moment.

And it’s another example of Microsoft smoothing out the little frustrations that people deal with every day.

🧐 Would you skip the updates to save time, or would you wait it out and let everything install first?