Windows 11 file explorer is slow, lagging, hangs!

Anonymous
2022-11-06T07:07:24+00:00

Hi,

I have a very strong PC with Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe, Intel i7-9700K, 32GB Memory and ASUS ROG Strix Z390-H Gaming.
When my PC was on Windows 10 there was no problem with File Explorer but after upgrading to Windows 11 I am facing a problem with file explorer slow, lagging, hangs even when just renaming a file.
Only full PC restart is solving the problem for a short time.

How to solve this problem on windows 11 please?

Thanks,
AG

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2022-11-28T14:17:19+00:00

I also experienced Lags with the Explorer:

  1. On Windows 10, i could solve them by removing external file-drives (SMB) from Quick-Access. I created a folder with Links to the drives instead and explorer was fast again. Probably the explorer tried to connect to these drives and for some reason failed, even though the connection was up and working.
  2. On Windows 11 on a new computer i have again troubles with the explorer, this time i think it is due to a wrong/old account which is no longer active:
    Image The problems came with the "Home"-Button, which was added at some point. Also the "Please sign in" only shows when selecting the "Home"-Button.

This might also be related to an account i am unable to remove:
Image
Clicking on 'Manage' opens the login-page for the first account and i can not find the old account in the first account to remove it.

Can your problem also be associated with one of the issues above?

Does anyone know how to solve the second issue by e.g. disabling the "Home" button, changing the account in the explorer or removing a no longer existing old account?

Updated Info / what i use:

  1. Don't use mapped Drives oder External Folders in Quick-Access. Keep all pinned-directories pointing to local files / folders. Instead, save them as files / links:

Image

  1. Disable OneDrive.exe in StartUp-Apps. If this still does not help, completely disable or remove onedrive: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/turn-off-disable-or-uninstall-onedrive-f32a17ce-3336-40fe-9c38-6efb09f944b0 
  2. 'Home' as startup-folder seems to also be slow, change it: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-set-start-location-file-explorer-windows-10/
    Image

Was this answer helpful?

80+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

276 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2024-01-16T19:54:13+00:00

    Brilliant, this did the trick for me. Explorer is unbelievably bad!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-01-12T14:14:14+00:00

    Sure, it's not the solution, but at least an attempt and it certainly does speed up Windows Explorer unless all thumbnails are already properly loaded and stored and if the cache glitches, you can always clear it. Also I recommend to increase the default size of the thumbnail cache file.

    I had problems with a slow Explorer too, but in Windows 10 only. After the update to Windows 11 the Explorer got super fast and I'm unable to reproduce the issue.

    Maybe update and refresh Windows, scan for errors or clean install Windows if nothing helps. Make sure to remove any old Update Packs, Redistributables and unused Software first to avoid wiping your C: drive.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2024-01-12T09:43:26+00:00

    Hi there!

    I solve today this issue.

    Please follow this steps:

    1. Go to Settings > System > Advanced system settings (Will open System Properties window)
    2. Go to Advanced Tab > Performace > Settings
    3. Uncheck " Show thumbnails instead of icons" > Apply > Ok > Restart Computer.

    Image

    Considering I have everything turned off in that selection pane already, and it still takes 2 minutes to load the side bar, this is not the issue.

    Congrats on finding what helped you, but this is not the "solution".

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-27T03:43:50+00:00

    For a folder with around 1500 photo and video files, the sort speed on Date Taken using the old explorer (Via control panel) is 1-2 seconds. In the new explorer, it is 4-5 minutes (if it ever finishes).

    It sounds like your best option is to make the Windows 10 Explorer your default file manager. You can do that with StartAllBack, ExplorerPatcher, or WindHawk.

    Thank you for the suggestions. It is so disappointing that it has come to this with a core MS product that was ruined going from win 10 to 11.

    Of the 3 packages suggested (StartAllBack, ExplorerPatcher, or WindHawk.), do you or anyone have a positive experience or preference for one of them?

    Thank you!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments