Windows 7, Deleting Large files is extremely slow. (Not going to recycle bin, permanent delete)

Anonymous
2009-12-13T14:37:28+00:00

It is taking a huge amount of time to delete files.

The files are not going to recycle bin (I am hold shift while hitting the Delete key)

Also I have even tried shutting off the recycle bin

I have timed a few of these

Single file delete, 2.6 gb, 2 minutes 14 seconds

Single file delete, 1.9 gb, 1 minutes 44 seconds

Single file delete, 230 mb, 0 minutes 24 seconds

Most of the time the dialog window that pops up says "Calculating..."

Judging by the times, This has something to do with file size.

I get similar time when I delete from the command prompt.

Windows XP would do permanent deletes and moves (on the same drive) in a split second, especially since we are talking about one file.

I work with large image files regularly. I can't wait 2 plus minutes every time I delete one of these files when I may have to move or delete a few hundred at a time.

I am getting very frustrated with Windows 7.

So far...

I have disabled Remote Differential Compression (RDC)

I have disabled TCP AutoTuning and Receive Side Scaling

                netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled (AND)

                netsh interface tcp set global rss=disabled  (And rebooted)

There are no removable drives, USB devices, or other attached devices other that the keyboard and mouse.

I have disabled

Windows Search and Indexing

I am viewing "Details" only in windows explorer (No Thumbnails)

I have shut off IPv6 support (I read about it somewhere but I believe it was to do with network operations, but I tried it anyway)

Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface is disabled

All Drivers are up to date.

I have completely wiped the drive and reloaded the OS.

This is on a 1tb storage drive, no RAID, 3gb SATA drive (Seagate 7200.12)

Windows 7 64bit (Windows experience is listed as 6.1)

Intel i5 processor with 4gig memory

Fresh install, fast hard drive (OS).

Avast AV

Not much else running

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-08T21:04:05+00:00

    my solution: Kill explorer.exe and delete the unwanted big file with a third party filemanager. It takes only the time to kill the process explorer.exe.

    After this, restart the process.

    I admit, it's a work around, but it does the job.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-06-10T16:04:08+00:00

    Using 64-bit Windows 7 Enterprise and this worked for me:

    In My Computer (or File Manager/Windows Explorer, whatever you want to call it), click the "Organize" button just below the menu toolbar (File, Edit, etc.) and select "Folder and search options".  Select the middle "View" tab, then check/tic the box next to "Always show icons, never thumbnails", which is located in the "Files and Folders" section of the "Advance settings:" box.  Click "Apply", then the "Apply to Folders" button at the top.  Files > 100MB can now be deleted immediately - no more endless "Preparing to recycle......"

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-03-16T11:44:16+00:00

    not even close to a good answer.  we are talking about win 7 acting like a dinosaur XP is way faster, my guess new feature so it is set to the worse setting until you learn how use 7 better.

    Microsoft is evading the issue. This WAY long time for Win 7 32 or 64bit (we use 64bit) to delete files (OR) to delete files already in the Recycle Bin is a travesty and clearly a major bug in the OS.

    Also note that this major bug was NOT addressed in Win 7 Service Pack 1, either.

    This is clearly a Win 7 OS gaffe, and has noting to do with anti-virus anything...for example, we run latest AVG AV software, and even when we TOTALLY turn off AVG temporarily, it matters not. And of course, we have totally disabled Win 7 Search/Indexing, as that also slows Win 7 down pathetically.

    Microsoft: Fix your operating system!

    Or start making refunds to customers.

    If MS can not fix this, then allow qualified third-party programmers to fix it for you, and then show MS how it's done.

    Also note that almost none of the print magazine and Internet tech reviewers and commentators are willing to tackle this OS problem. For some interesting reason, they are deliberately ignoring the situation.

    MS: Email me at info(at)windowgroup(dot)com

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-03-07T03:01:49+00:00

    not even close to a good answer.  we are talking about win 7 acting like a dinosaur XP is way faster, my guess new feature so it is set to the worse setting until you learn how use 7 better.

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  5. Anonymous
    2011-01-24T21:52:55+00:00

    it works if you do it manually.

    * disconnect any drives that the large file still may be talking to.

    • open terminal (as adminstrator)
    • use command> del FILENAME

    this worked for me, just deleted a 700 mb file.

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