Are you experiencing sluggish performance when opening File Explorer in Windows 11 version 24H2? One often overlooked feature that might be slowing down your system is "Account-Based Insights." Here's how you can disable this feature to potentially boost your File Explorer's performance.

Why Disable Account-Based Insights?

Account-Based Insights in File Explorer aim to enhance your file management experience by integrating cloud files, recommendations, and recent items. However, this integration can sometimes lead to slower load times, especially if your internet connection isn't the fastest or if you're dealing with a large number of files. Disabling this feature can streamline File Explorer's operations, focusing solely on local file management without the added overhead of cloud and account data.

Method 1: Using File Explorer Options

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Open File Explorer - Hit Win + E on your keyboard to launch File Explorer.
  2. Access Options - Click on the three dots at the top right corner and choose "Options," or go to "File" > "Options" from the menu.
  3. General Tab - In the "Folder Options" window, navigate to the "General" tab.
  4. Disable Insights - Look for the option that says "Include account-based insights, recent, favorite, and recommended files" under "Privacy." Uncheck this box.
  5. Save Changes - Hit "OK" or "Apply" to save your settings.

Method 2: The Registry Route

If you're comfortable tweaking system settings, here's how you can use the Registry Editor:

Steps in Registry:

  1. Open Registry Editor - Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Confirm with "Yes" if prompted for permissions.
  2. Find the Right Key - Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer.
  3. Modify or Add the Value -
    • Find ShowCloudFilesInQuickAccess. If it's there, double-click it and change the value to 0.
    • If not, right-click, select "New" > "DWORD (32-bit) Value," name it ShowCloudFilesInQuickAccess, and set it to 0.
  4. Close and Restart - After adjusting the registry, close the editor and either restart File Explorer or reboot your PC.

What to Expect

By disabling "Account-Based Insights," you might notice:

  • Faster File Explorer Startups - Without the need to fetch cloud data, File Explorer can load quicker.
  • Less Resource Usage - Your system won't need to handle additional data from cloud services, potentially freeing up resources.

Remember, this tweak might not be the magic bullet for all performance issues. Other factors like hardware specs, file count, and network conditions also play significant roles. However, for many users, this simple change can make a noticeable difference.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a way to make your File Explorer experience smoother on Windows 11 24H2, consider turning off Account-Based Insights. It's a straightforward process that could help you regain some speed in your daily computing tasks. Try it out and see if it makes a difference for you!