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

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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on a new computer i have again troubles with the explorer, this time i think it is due to a wrong/old account which is no longer active: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

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-07-10T03:37:18+00:00

    I don't know what the business scheme is here with these MVP's but these suggestions are always the first 5 google results and they are super entry level. I want real accountability and real specific support from a microsoft employee. Windows 11 explorer is garbage. The settings are garbage. All is garbage. It's windows 7 with layers and layers of obnoxious skins on top. There ar usually 4 levels of settings for stuff as simple as microphone levels. I hate windows and I hate apple too.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-07-06T21:08:08+00:00

    LOL... Please take it easy with him; he's giving his best response. I can understand why such a generic, complex recommendation is frustrating. However, if you are serious about focusing on your work, having less frustration, and having better stability, I would recommend exactly what I did. That is, backup and scrap Windows 11 for now, go back to the much more stable Windows 10, and wait for Windows 11 to become stable across multiple devices. For now, I have peace of mind, better speed, and stability with my work. Thank you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-07-06T17:24:49+00:00

    your suggestions are complete nonsense, why are you even here?

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-07-02T16:11:54+00:00

    This worked for me. Clicked on 3 dots at top of explorer then OPTIONS then General then clear file explorer history. Don't know how long it will last but so far it solved my problem having to wait for home screen in explorer. Thanks

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