Microsoft has introduced significant speed enhancements in the latest Windows 11 Insider builds (26300.8170 and 26220.8165), targeting the storage settings page. The updates aim to improve navigation and user experience, particularly in the "Disks and Volumes" section under Settings. Key changes include:
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Performance Boosts: Opening disk properties on large drives, which previously took up to 15 seconds, is now almost instantaneous, improving usability for systems with extensive or multiple partitions.
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Handling of Permissions: The User Access Control (UAC) prompts have been adjusted. They now only appear when accessing areas needing high permissions, like temporary files, instead of immediately when opening the storage settings.
- FAT32 Formatting Expansion: Users can now format FAT32 drives up to 2TB via command line, lifting the long-standing 32GB cap imposed by Windows. This update aims to accommodate scenarios where FAT32 is still required, although the format has limitations.
These advancements address efficiency by improving the way the Settings app processes storage data, potentially reducing delays when accessing disk information. While details on a stable rollout for general users remain unspecified, improvements are expected to be released in the coming weeks or months. Overall, these updates signal positive changes in Microsoft’s approach to enhancing Windows 11’s performance.
