You may encounter various issues with Windows Explorer. For instance, it may freeze when you open any folder or act sluggish while using the copy-paste feature. Or, its search feature may take quite a long time to index the files. Moreover, switching between the folders can take ages with a slow Windows Explorer. Whatever the scenarios are, you will be able to figure out a solution to this problem once you go through this post.
How to Fix a Slow Windows Explorer
Working with your files and folders becomes irksome when Windows Explorer is laggy. So you need to solve this problem as soon as possible. It isn’t that head-scratching and time-consuming problem to fix. Here, We have compiled a list of 14 fixes to help you solve the problem of slow Windows explorer. Let’s dive straight into them.
Restart the Windows Explorer
Restarting Windows Explorer is the first thing you can do when it is slow. Restarting will help fix any internal glitches within Windows Explorer that might be causing it to run slow. Also, if you have multiple file explorers open, it can cause lags. Follow these steps to restart Windows Explorer.
Close the Unused Programs
You may be running too many programs at once on your PC that consumes huge RAM and CPU. It is obvious for your computer to lag in such cases. It is meanwhile also responsible for lagging your Windows Explorer. You can close the unnecessary programs and see if it solves the issue. Here’s how:
Disable Cortana
Cortana is a voice-enabled AI assistant feature provided by Microsoft. In Windows 10, it is located in the taskbar beside the search box. While on Windows 11, you may not see it in the taskbar. You need to search Cortana in the Windows search box to load it. Many users reported that the enabled Cortana feature was causing high CPU usage ultimately causing Windows Explorer to lag. You can disable it and see if it solves the problem. Here’s how to do it:
Disable the Quick Access Feature
The Quick access section inside Windows explorer is a handy feature that lists all the files and folders you accessed recently or use frequently. Whenever you try opening Windows Explorer, Quick access will try to list all of them for your ease. If there are a bunch of them, it requires much time and may cause Explorer to lag. Follow these steps to disable the quick access feature:
Optimize the Folder Settings
You can apply this fix if you have a folder that comprises heaps of files and folders. The folder may be cluttered, and Windows explorer may take much time to open it. You can optimize the folder settings such that it opens fast. Here’s how to do it:
Reset the Folder View Type
Windows Explorer provides many folder view types such as Large icons, Small icons, Details, and Tiles. You might have set the view type of the folder to display every detail like the Date modified and type. When there are a bunch of files within the folder, it may take a long time to load the details. Also, setting different view types to different folders can cause Explorer to lag. Follow these steps to reset the folder view type:
Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process
Sometimes, when you open a particular folder, it can stop responding. If you kill the task from the task manager, you will kill the entire File Explorer process. If the File Explorer process is killed, the next time you open it, it will take more time than usual to open, and you may face a slow Explorer. You can launch the folder windows as a separate process and prevent it from happening. Here’s how to do it:
Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter
The search and indexing feature is used to improve your search results. Whenever you try to search something in the search bar of File Explorer, it tries to locate the files and display them to you. But if there is a problem with search and indexing, it will take a lot of time to do it, and you may face the issue of slow Windows Explorer. Windows has a search and indexing troubleshooter integrated in its troubleshooting tool to figure out this issue with search and indexing. Try running it and see if it solves the problem.
Run a System Maintenance
Your PC is scheduled to perform system maintenance on a regular basis using the built-in maintenance tool. It fixes any compatibility issues and errors on your PC. When Windows Explorer is slow, you can run manual system maintenance and see if it solves the problem. Here’s how:
Run Disk Defragmenter Tool
Disk defragmenter is a built-in utility tool in Windows. It lets you rearrange the data stored on your hard disk so that they are stored in a contiguous space. Defragmenter consolidates the fragmented files over your hard drive and helps File Explorer find the data faster. Drives are defragmented on a scheduled basis. However, consider defragging the disk manually if you are facing a slow Windows Explorer. Here’s how:
Run Disk Cleanup and Delete Temporary Files
Disk cleanup is another utility tool in Windows that helps you delete temporary files, cached files from the Internet, and thumbnails. These unnecessary files can slow down your computer and cause File explorer lags. Deleting them will help it load faster. Here’s how to run a disk cleanup on your computer: Alternatively,
Run a Quick Scan
Malware is spiteful programs used by attackers to invade and leak your privacy. They mostly enter your PC through the Internet. They are responsible for causing limitless harm to your PC, like file corruption or registry modification. They also run unwanted programs on your computer, making File Explorer unresponsive. You can run a Quick Scan feature integrated into Windows Security and eliminate the malware from your device. Here’s how to do it:
Run DISM and SFC Scannow Command
DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and SFC (Scannow tool checks) for and fixes the corrupted files in your OS. DISM is specifically used to repair the Windows image. Any faulty files will be replaced after using these commands. If they are the culprit behind making Windows Explorer slow, you will return it to the working state after running these commands. DISM process is a bit slower as it requires file downloading from external sources. You should first run SFC and then run the DISM tool. If SFC fixes the issue, you don’t need to proceed with DISM. Else, you need it as well. Follow these steps to run them:
Use Event Viewer to Figure Out the Issue
Windows Event Viewer is a built-in administrative tool in Windows to monitor event logs and troubleshoot the issues according to respective logs. You can also figure out the issue behind your Windows Explorer running slow from the event viewer. Follow these steps:
