Microsoft has been trying to fix Windows 11's annoying white flash bug in File Explorer for over 2 years: Has it finally done it?

windowscentral.com Apr 22, 2026

Microsoft has been trying to fix Windows 11’s annoying white flash bug in File Explorer for over 2 years: Has it finally done it?

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Apr 22, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 release preview build that finally fixes the annoying white flash bug in File Explorer's dark mode, a problem that has been ongoing for over two years. The issue was initially thought to be resolved in 2023, but a subsequent update reintroduced the problem. The latest fix removes the white flash when launching File Explorer in dark mode under certain conditions.

💡 Why It Matters

· Microsoft's struggle to resolve the File Explorer issue highlights the complexities of maintaining a legacy application with a mix of old and new UI frameworks, which causes graphical glitches and performance issues.
· The company's efforts to improve File Explorer's performance and UI consistency this year will be crucial in addressing these problems.

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