Verifying Speed Improvements in Windows 11's Right-Click Menu

AFFILIATE_PRODUCTS: RELATED_ARTICLES: Enthusiast Proves Stable Windows 11 Operation on DDR1 Motherboard (https://singulism.com/en/ddr1-windows-11-stable-enthusiast)

The right-click menu in Windows 11 has been revamped. According to information Microsoft distributed to participants in the Windows Insider Programme, significant improvements making the context menu and File Explorer “faster, simpler, and more customizable” have been implemented. This appears to be a direct attempt to finally address the long-standing issue of speed with this menu, a frequent point of user frustration.

Microsoft explains that this time, they systematically analyzed and improved the performance and responsiveness of File Explorer. Specifically, they identified the root causes of delays and pauses experienced by users and eliminated dozens of elements that could interrupt the experience or cause delays. The updated context menu is said to reduce “unpleasant moments” such as delays when renaming files, slow right-click operations, and flickering or reloading in the home view.

Changes in Build 26340.9212

The improvements were applied to Build 26340.9212, released for the Dev channel of the Windows Insider Programme. The update history for this version mentions the updated context menu. Microsoft positions it as having “significantly reduced flickering and delays during file browsing, renaming, navigation, and selecting multiple files.”

British tech media windowslatest reported that comparative tests between the new context menu and the Windows 10 context menu showed Windows 11 to be faster. This result partially substantiates Microsoft’s claims. However, since results can vary depending on the test environment and the scope of operations tested, caution is advised in definitively stating it has been “speeded up.”

How Does It Actually Feel in Practice?

When the author personally upgraded to and tested build 26340.9212, some improvement in speed was indeed noticeable. However, the change was not dramatic. A gap still seems to exist between the startup speed improvements emphasized by Microsoft in the update history and the actual perceived speed users feel in daily use.

The display speed of the context menu is also heavily influenced by hardware configuration. It may already have little delay on a latest PC equipped with an NVMe SSD, meaning the effect might be more palpable on an HDD environment. It’s also worth noting that since Windows 11 demands more system resources than its predecessor, Windows 10, the perception of improvement can vary more significantly based on the hardware environment.

Participation in the Insider Programme is Required

However, at present, trying this improvement requires joining the Windows Insider Programme. Microsoft does not recommend participating in the Insider Programme for typical PC users. It is prudent for users who prioritize stability to wait for the public release.

Since its launch in 2021, Windows 11 has repeatedly faced criticism regarding the usability of its context menu. The original version’s two-tiered design, where users had to click “Show more options” to access the classic full menu, was particularly unpopular. This improvement can be seen as one of Microsoft’s responses to these accumulated grievances.

Related Environmental Topics

Due to its strict hardware requirements, topics about Windows 11 running on older PCs continue to emerge. This site has also reported on an enthusiast proving that Windows 11 can run stably on a motherboard equipped with DDR1 memory. The article “DDR1 マザーで Windows 11 安定動作、愛好家が証明” demonstrates the possibility of operation in environments far below the minimum requirements.

Editorial Opinion

In the short term, this improvement is a positive development for Windows Insider Programme participants. Enhanced context menu responsiveness reduces stress in daily file operations and could contribute to greater efficiency in desktop management tasks, especially in corporate environments. Microsoft’s publication of having “eliminated dozens of elements” suggests the company recognizes the cumulative impact of minor UI delays on the user experience. In the long term, it is significant that Microsoft has explicitly stated its intention to continue optimizing File Explorer’s performance. The company has said “further improvements are planned,” suggesting that response time improvements are ongoing across the entire Windows 11 UI, not just the context menu. As OS refresh cycles accelerate, how effectively Microsoft can reduce perceived delays could become a factor in enterprise OS selection. However, as this is currently limited to the Insider Programme, the content may change before the public release.

References

• “被吐槽多年的 Win11 右键菜单，终于变快了？”, by 青小蛙 — 小众软件, 2026-08-20T07:04:26.000Z (ARR)
• Source URL: https://www.appinn.com/win11-right-click-menu-faster/