Windows 11 Set to Improve ZIP Extraction Speeds

Faster File Extraction in Windows

Microsoft is finally addressing one of the long-standing frustrations for Windows 11 users—slow ZIP file extraction in File Explorer. The latest preview build, 27818, introduces performance enhancements aimed at speeding up the unzipping process, especially for large archives filled with numerous small files. This improvement has been a long time coming, as complaints about sluggish performance have persisted since the operating system’s launch.

Alongside the ZIP extraction boost, the update includes various bug fixes, such as resolving issues with File Explorer’s homepage not loading correctly, remote desktop freezing, and certain games failing to launch due to DirectX errors. Additionally, Microsoft is removing the “Suggested Actions” feature that previously popped up when users copied phone numbers or future dates.

While this performance boost is welcome, early testing suggests only a modest 10% increase in speed, meaning it may not completely eliminate frustration for users dealing with large ZIP archives. Nevertheless, this update represents a step in the right direction, and further optimizations could be on the way.

What Undercode Says:

Microsoft’s decision to improve ZIP extraction speeds in Windows 11 is significant, but it’s more of a necessity than an innovation. File Explorer’s built-in unzipping functionality has lagged behind third-party tools like 7-Zip and WinRAR for years. While a 10% performance increase is notable, it is hardly revolutionary—especially considering how long users have been complaining about slow extractions.

Why Was ZIP Extraction So Slow in Windows 11?

File

2. How Does It Compare to Third-Party Alternatives?

Even with the 10% improvement, Windows 11’s native ZIP handling still lags behind alternatives. WinRAR and 7-Zip offer better compression algorithms and faster extraction speeds. The fact that Microsoft has now integrated native support for these third-party tools suggests that they recognize their own limitations in this area.

3. Broader File Explorer Performance Concerns

ZIP extraction is just one of many performance issues affecting File Explorer. Complaints about slow navigation, delayed right-click menu responses, and frequent crashes have plagued Windows 11 users. This latest update is a small step forward, but Microsoft needs to overhaul File Explorer more comprehensively to address its sluggish performance.

4. Will Microsoft Continue Improving ZIP Performance?

It’s likely that Microsoft will further optimize ZIP extraction in future updates. However, given the slow progress on this front, users who frequently work with compressed files may still prefer third-party solutions.

Ultimately, while this update is a welcome improvement, it highlights a broader issue—Microsoft often takes too long to address fundamental performance problems. The company’s focus on new AI-driven features in Windows 11 is exciting, but basic usability improvements like this should not be an afterthought.

Fact Checker Results:

ZIP extraction in File Explorer is indeed getting faster, but the reported improvement is only around 10%.
The update does not enhance third-party tools like WinRAR or 7-Zip—only File Explorer’s built-in extraction.
Microsoft has also removed the “Suggested Actions” feature and fixed several unrelated system bugs in this update.

References:

Reported By: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-should-soon-be-faster-at-extracting-files-from-compressed-zips-and-its-about-time-frankly
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