With each URL that FileTrack has to include an entry for, it has to make a URL connection to that file and read its properties, such as size and modification date, before it can display them. This takes a few seconds to do. Therefore, unlike most other applets, FileTrack initializes in multiple stages and displays each entry as soon as it's determined what it should be. This ensures that users are not left staring at a blank applet for 40 seconds while it retrieves information for a dozen files.

If the SilentStart parameter is left at its default no, a statusbar display will keep users informed about how many files have to be read and the current progress. A user can click a visible entry to start downloading the file it refers to at any time, although the applet may be a little slower than usual to respond until all entries have been displayed.