Windows 11 file explorer is slow, lagging, hangs!

Question

Windows 11 file explorer is slow, lagging, hangs!

AG 521

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

Krusty 16 Reputation points

2022-11-11T22:52:45.297+00:00

I have exactly the same problem and all "fixes" I found online, including MS support pages, didn't resolve the issue. I'm reinstalling Win 10. Win 11 is crap
Gordon Findlay 0 Reputation points

2023-03-10T09:04:20.9+00:00

There was nothing wrong with Windows 10 file explorer but they have to change it!

Why am I wasting MY time searching the web for solutions to problems?!

Microsoft Windows has over 80% of the market and they still can't get it right!

"Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements" I did with Windows 10 and look what we got!
ShibumiOz 5 Reputation points

2023-12-17T17:26:02.74+00:00

Win 11 the move from Win 10 is the worse decision ever
pavel tverskov 0 Reputation points

2025-04-05T10:10:51.4566667+00:00

deleting and reconfiguring the index helped me.
Indexing Options/Advanced -> delete and rebuild index

4 answers

Your answer

Krusty 16 Reputation points

2022-11-11T22:52:45.297+00:00

I have exactly the same problem and all "fixes" I found online, including MS support pages, didn't resolve the issue. I'm reinstalling Win 10. Win 11 is crap
Gordon Findlay 0 Reputation points

2023-03-10T09:04:20.9+00:00

There was nothing wrong with Windows 10 file explorer but they have to change it!

Why am I wasting MY time searching the web for solutions to problems?!

Microsoft Windows has over 80% of the market and they still can't get it right!

"Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements" I did with Windows 10 and look what we got!
ShibumiOz 5 Reputation points

2023-12-17T17:26:02.74+00:00

Win 11 the move from Win 10 is the worse decision ever
pavel tverskov 0 Reputation points

2025-04-05T10:10:51.4566667+00:00

deleting and reconfiguring the index helped me.
Indexing Options/Advanced -> delete and rebuild index

Answer 1

Limitless Technology 44,766

Hello,

In this case, your best fix is to clear File Explorer’s cache files. This removes the underlying cache data so your issue can be resolved.

-Open File Explorer on your PC.
-Select the three dots at the top of the window and choose Options.
-Choose the Clear button next to Clear File Explorer history.

Additionally disabling Quick access is a good way to accelerate File Explorer.

-Open Control Panel in Windows 11.
-View by icons and select File Explorer Options.
-You can also press Windows + S, type File Explorer Options, and press Enter.
-Make sure the General tab is selected.
-Click on the down arrow after Open File Explorer to.
-Select This PC, instead of Quick access.
-Click Apply and then OK.

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--If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

AG 521 Reputation points

2022-11-06T07:05:10.883+00:00

Hi @Limitless Technology

I have already Cleared File Explorer history several times in the past and again today.
My Explorer is set to "This PC".

Still having the same problem.
Ego Alter 0 Reputation points

2025-03-02T09:06:00.9966667+00:00

Hi, none of these has helped to resolve the problem.

Answer 2

Philippe Levesque 5,836

Hi, do you use a third part antivirus software ? some latency while using explorer can be associated with an antivirus, escpecially if it's a antivirus not 100% compatible yet with Windows 11.

AG 521 Reputation points

2022-11-06T06:54:11.023+00:00

Hi @Philippe Levesque

Yes I am using Bitdefender for years also was on my same PC with Windows 10.
Also as I have this problem with Windows 11 Explorer I had to install www.xyplorer.com and it is working without any issues.

Answer 3

Kapil Arya 8,456 MVP Volunteer Moderator

Hello,

Try resetting File Explorer (explorer.exe) process:

Press Windows Key + R and type SYSDM.CPL in Run. Click OK or press Enter key.
In System Properties window, switch to Advanced tab, click Settings under Performance.
Next, in Performance Options, under Processor scheduling, make sure that Adjust for best performance of: is set to Programs.
Then in the same window, under Virtual memory, click Settings button.
On Virtual Memory page, make sure Automatically manage paging file sizes for all drives option is checked. Click OK, then Apply, OK on rest of windows.
Reboot the machine and see if issue is resolved now.

Let us know if this helps!

AG 521 Reputation points

2022-11-06T07:00:02.347+00:00

Hi @Kapil Arya

All settings you have mention in your post was already set so I didn't have to change anything.
Tarun Satiya 1 Reputation point

2022-11-19T05:31:44.363+00:00

Thanks, this seem to have worked for me. Let us see if the File Explorer continues to "behave" well.

Answer 4

Ego Alter 0

Is anybody here managed to solve the problem of explorer freezing?

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Windows 11 file explorer is slow, lagging, hangs!

4 answers

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