Windows Explorer Memory Leak, Windows Explorer memory leak / RAM leak Hello all, I've been trying to fix this for literally years. May 3, 2026 · Windows Explorer high memory using 2GB+ RAM? Fix explorer. 3 days ago · The April 2026 optional preview update (KB5083631) for Windows 11 fixes long-standing File Explorer bugs, including the “white flash” in dark mode, improper preservation of view and sort preferences… Oct 7, 2021 · So, to prevent your PC from turning into a bulky, RGB-laden potato overnight, here's how to check for the Windows 11 File Explorer memory leak, and what to do about it. Jun 9, 2025 · It is usual for Windows users to open multiple file explorer windows. That is the factual shape of the update. You can restart explorer. Killing the task temporarily brings it back down. However, I have never had mine use that much. Step-by-step guide using Process Explorer, Performance Monitor, and ShellExView on Windows 11. 6 days ago · Microsoft released KB5083631 on April 30, 2026, as an optional non-security preview update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, bringing File Explorer reliability fixes, Delivery Optimization memory improvements, faster startup-app behavior, and a long-delayed FAT32 formatting limit increase. Instead of going through all the 100+ possible fixes I've tried, I'll simplify and make my question here about diagnosing the problem. Unfortunately, they forget about this, so when they launch another application, the system does not allocate proper memory to that problem, causing a memory leak in Windows 11. Aug 28, 2024 · All previously opened Explorer Windows closed As is clearly evident, the memory usage doesn't go down when you close the Explorer windows as it logically should. 5 days ago · Explorer memory leaks from poorly written shell extensions — process grows significantly over days without a restart Crash loops — Explorer crashes, auto-restarts, crashes again 19 hours ago · Microsoft defends Windows 11 speed boost as new tools roll out Major update fixes: KB5083631 addresses memory leaks, File Explorer glitches, and slow startups, while improving reliability and . 5 days ago · Microsoft’s optional Windows 11 update targets the boring problems that matter most, including memory leaks, startup delays, and File Explorer behavior, with a wider rollout expected through May 5 days ago · File Explorer finally stops flashing white and hanging Perhaps the most universally despised bug in Windows 11’s File Explorer is the “white flash. Apr 19, 2025 · I have always experienced memory leak with File Explorer. It will keep increasing until my PC crashes. 5 days ago · Microsoft is fixing Windows 11's biggest bugs. Diagnose and fix high memory usage in explorer. Right now, Windows Explorer is using over 3GB of RAM. Startup Performance Is Where Windows Wins or Loses the Morning The other performance fix worth watching concerns startup apps. The new update stops the File Explorer white flash, lowers RAM usage, and speeds up PC startup. Mine usually tops out in the 200 - 300 MB range. You can restart the task in task manager to reset the RAM usage, but you shouldn't have to do this. It teaches users to distrust the background work that keeps the platform patched. Windows Explorer process is not a file manager only, but almost everything that you see as desktop environment. Sep 16, 2025 · If your Windows 11 has a constant high RAM usage, this article will show you why it happens and how to deal with it in 6 easy ways. If you repeatedly close and reopen File Explorer, the memory usage goes up by 20 MB each time. I read it is common. Select Close all Windows from the pop-up window. exe process in task manager ctrl+alt+del > task manager. exe memory leaks with proven solutions: disable shell extensions, clear caches, update Windows. ” If you use Windows 11 in dark mode, opening ‘This PC’ or resizing the Details pane would frequently result in a jarring, bright white flashbang effect before the dark theme rendered. exe caused by leaking shell extensions. 70% success rate. Apr 22, 2026 · Fix high memory usage on Windows 11 with proven tweaks that free up RAM, improve multitasking, and stop slowdowns. A memory leak in an update-adjacent service is corrosive. 5 days ago · A memory leak in a foreground app is irritating. Right-click on the File Explorer icon on the taskbar. oynd gm4 uc5vrr svofn ejl od145 u7xytl iom6oh3 bt6 vuw