Microsoft Speeds Up Windows 11 Storage Settings in New Insider Builds

Microsoft is rolling out notable storage improvements in Windows 11 Insider builds, significantly boosting performance and usability in key areas of the Settings app.

The changes, included in updates KB5083635 and KB5083632, focus on faster navigation, reduced system delays, and fewer interruptions when managing disks and storage.

Faster storage settings performance

According to Windows Latest, one of the most noticeable improvements appears in the path Settings > System > Storage > Disks & Volumes. Opening disk properties, which previously could take up to 15 seconds, now loads almost instantly, even on lower-end systems.

The performance boost stands out especially on devices with large drives, multiple storage devices, or traditional mechanical HDDs. These setups previously struggled due to how the Settings app handled background queries.

Microsoft likely addressed the issue by improving how disk data gets processed and reducing blocking operations that slowed down the interface.

FAT32 limit extended to 2TB

Microsoft has also removed the long-standing 32GB formatting limitation for FAT32, which many users considered artificial. With the latest changes, users can now format drives up to 2TB using command-line tools.

FAT32 has always supported larger volumes internally, but Windows restricted formatting to smaller sizes. This update eliminates the need for third-party tools when working with larger drives.

However, FAT32 still carries a 4GB file size limit, which makes it less suitable for modern workloads involving large files such as videos or backups.

UAC behavior refined for storage access

Another improvement targets User Account Control behavior. Previously, opening storage settings could trigger an immediate UAC prompt, interrupting the workflow.

Now, Windows only shows the UAC prompt when users attempt admin-level actions, such as accessing temporary files or making system-level changes.

This change builds on earlier adjustments introduced in KB5074105 and improves the overall experience by reducing unnecessary prompts.

More improvements planned for Settings

These updates are part of a broader effort by Microsoft to modernize the Settings app in Windows 11. The company continues to address performance bottlenecks and usability issues across different sections.

For now, the improvements remain available only in Insider builds, and Microsoft has not confirmed when they will reach stable releases.