To solve most of the problems mentioned in this forum discussion regarding folder size display, I use a free program called TreeSize Free v3.0.
Program Description: Quickly Scan Directory Sizes and Find Space Hogs
Available from here: http://www.jam-software.com/treesize_free/download.shtml
For all of the other problems and inadequacies associated with Windows Explorer, do the following:
1) Give up on Windows Explorer, it is next to worthless, and it gets worse with every O/S release that Microsoft comes out with. They never listen to the user and every new intern they hire from India only wants to make a name for himself.
2) Download FMNT32.EXE [1.74 MB, English]:
http://www.mdgx.com/files/FMNT32.EXE
AND: Save it in the directory: C:\FMNT32 (XP, Vista, Win7-8)\Download
3) Download the NT6 Restriction Fix Tool from here:
http://www.jsware.net/jsware/nt6fix.php5#restfix
AND: Save fix6r.zip in this directory: C:\FMNT32 (XP, Vista, Win7-8)\Download
4) Download the File Manager ReadMe Guide in plain text (ASCII) format:
http://www.mdgx.com/files/FMNT32.TXT
AND: Save it in the directory: C:\FMNT32 (XP, Vista, Win7-8)\Documentation
READ IT, FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS, INSTALL WINFILE for Win 7 and enjoy file management again:
5) ENJOY using WINFILE for Win 7. The right-click context menu you see in the screen print below was easily user-configured by me to meet my custom needs.
Based on my usage experiences, you will probably find out that you use Winfile for 95% of your file management tasks and only use Windows Explorer for viewing thumbnails and some file properties.
(SCREEN PRINT "Winfile Screen Print.jpg")
