Microsoft to update Word so it preloads on a PC right after it's booted

Microsoft is looking to shave the load times for Word by implementing a preload feature that should increase performance.

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Microsoft wrote in a new Message Center note to IT admins that in a coming update, it will be introducing a new Startup Boost task from the Microsoft Office installer. Here's how it will work. Preloading on a PC can be a very useful technique for making applications, images, or various files run or at least appear to run faster. An example of this would be loading web content, such as images or videos, when they aren't needed.

These images, videos, or files are being loaded in the background, and when the user goes to access them, the loading process is already completed, giving the user the illusion that the files presented themselves extremely quickly. The Windows creator plans on rolling out the same feature for Word, and according to Microsoft, the new feature should be arriving sometime in May. Notably, when enabled, the system will perform the task shortly after the system is booted up, and after the process is completed, the app will remain in a paused state until the user launches it.

However, there is somewhat of a catch. When Startup Boost is enabled the scheduled task will not run immediately on a system, such as at the login screen, as Microsoft doesn't want to slow down the PC. So, the task will run 10 minutes after the login screen as been passed to "ensure the system is in a steady idle state."

"We are introducing a new Startup Boost task from the Microsoft Office installer to optimize performance and load-time of experiences within Office applications." Adding, "After the system performs the task, the app remains in a paused state until the app launches and the sequence resumes, or the system removes the app from memory to reclaim resources. The system can perform this task for an app after a device reboot and periodically as system conditions allow."