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on a new computer i have again troubles with the explorer, this time i think it is due to a wrong/old account which is no longer active: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

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-01-16T19:54:13+00:00

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

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-01-22T19:54:39+00:00

    I have noticed that this started happening more with the introduction of New Home in the Windows Explorer. Either in WE or if I want to save something, the Windows that pops up for saving, loads very slow.

    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?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2024-01-26T10:32:19+00:00

    This ia very old tunning that still is worth (it is one of the first things I do after installing a new Windows), but Win Explorer delays in Win 11 is not sovled only by this.

    The best solution working for me now is to move to show computer first in Options

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