File Explorer is REALLY REALLY slow when dealing with RAR files

Question

File Explorer is REALLY REALLY slow when dealing with RAR files

dhs678 65

I've got a new machine (last fall) running windows 11, which is completely up to date.

When I download RAR files, File Explorer is REALLY REALLY slow.

I click on the left panel and I see the busy icon for 20-30 seconds before I can do anything at all, such as open up the RAR archive with a current version of WinRAR.

The same thing when I click on the right panel.

Please don't tell me to check the startup apps or the visual effects tab. I've done all of that. Doesn't help.

Besides, it's a new machine, if it's slowing down because of something like that, I can only conclude that Windows 11 has a HUGE amount of overhead. (I never had any problems like this when I was using Windows 10.)

And, please don't tell me to run SFC and/or DISM. As it is, I'm having to run both of those every few days! The never show any system problems.

Could it be that Windows Anti-Virus is scanning all of those files over and over again every time I click on either side of File Explorer?

If that is the cause of the slowdown, how can I fix things?

Thanks.

dhs678 65 Reputation points

2026-04-25T19:54:11.6+00:00

A perfect example of AI generated content that isn't worth a damn!

The robot failed to read my question or it would have seen that I have done items #1-3.

And, if Microsoft is really telling me that I have to go through some sort of system recovery, then Windows 11 isn't nearly as bulletproof as intended.

2 answers

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dhs678 65 Reputation points

2026-04-25T19:54:11.6+00:00

A perfect example of AI generated content that isn't worth a damn!

The robot failed to read my question or it would have seen that I have done items #1-3.

And, if Microsoft is really telling me that I have to go through some sort of system recovery, then Windows 11 isn't nearly as bulletproof as intended.

Answer 1

Hendrix-V 14,680 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi dhs678,

Thank you for sharing those details. Since Windows 11 now includes built-in support for opening archive formats such as RAR in File Explorer, the delay may be related to how File Explorer is processing the archive or scanning it when accessed, rather than to general system startup or system file health.

To narrow this down, please try these targeted checks:

1, Temporarily hide the Preview pane and Details pane in File Explorer, then test the same .rar file again.

If performance improves, the slowdown is likely happening while Explorer is trying to read archive content or metadata.

2, Copy one affected .rar file to a simple local folder such as C:\Temp and open it from there.

If the delay mainly happens in Downloads, that can point to folder-specific processing rather than the archive file itself.

3, Test the same archive directly with WinRAR or 7-Zip instead of opening it through File Explorer.

If it opens normally there, that helps confirm the issue is specific to File Explorer’s archive handling path.

4, If you suspect Microsoft Defender scanning is involved, try a very limited temporary exclusion for a test folder only (not for all archives system-wide), then remove it after testing. Microsoft notes that exclusions can sometimes help with performance-related scenarios, but they should be used sparingly because they reduce protection.

Add temporary test exclusion (Admin PowerShell):

Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Temp"

Remove it after testing:

Remove-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Temp"

If these checks show that File Explorer is the only component affected, a practical workaround is to open or extract .rar files with WinRAR or 7-Zip instead of relying on File Explorer for that file type.

I understand how disruptive this can be, especially when it affects routine file handling. Hopefully one of the focused tests above helps identify the trigger and gives you a more reliable workaround in the meantime.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

dhs678 65 Reputation points

2026-04-26T10:17:44.19+00:00

I will work on all of that later today.

Right now I just want to say a big THANK YOU.

That's the kind of answer I was looking for.
dhs678 65 Reputation points

2026-04-26T11:46:12.0233333+00:00

Just to clarify, I am using WinRar to open the archives. If I try to use the internal capability, I get Error Ox8096002a - No error description available.

I always create a separate directory for each set of RAR files.

Toggling the Preview pane and the Details pane on and off made a slight difference for a short time.

What did help was that temporary test exclusion.

But, as you say, that reduces protection.

What does this tell us?

Thanks
dhs678 65 Reputation points

2026-04-26T15:53:54.19+00:00

Per your suggestion, I did some experimenting with different directories.

I had set up places to recieve the downloaded RAR files on a separate hard drive.

I created some new ones and still had the problems.

Then, I went to properties/customize for those particular locations and noticed that the ones I had created were optimized for photos.

That seemed strange to me since every other directory I checked, and there were a lot of them, were set for General Items.

Could that be the cause of all this?
Hendrix-V 14,680 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-28T07:43:24.2066667+00:00
Hi dhs678,

Thank you for sharing the additional testing results. Based on what you found, this appears to point more to how those folders were being handled in File Explorer than to a general system-wide slowdown.

Since the affected folders were set to Optimize for: Photos instead of General items, that could absolutely be contributing to the delay, especially when combined with real-time scanning. The fact that the temporary Defender exclusion improved performance also suggests that scanning is part of the slowdown path.

Here are the recommended next steps that you can try

1, Change the affected folders to General items

Right-click the folder > Properties > Customize > set Optimize this folder for to General items.

If needed, also select Apply this template to all subfolders.

2, Remove the Defender test exclusion and retest

If performance remains improved, that would suggest the folder template was a major contributor and you may not need the exclusion.

Microsoft recommends keeping exclusions as limited as possible.

3, If needed, consider excluding that folder from Search indexing instead of Defender

Microsoft explains that indexed locations can be modified, and reducing indexing on a staging/download folder can be a safer test than reducing antivirus protection.

Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows > Customize search locations and review whether that folder is included.

4, Keep using WinRAR for archive work - this avoids the built-in archive path that is returning 0x8096002A on your system.

I hope this helps you get to a more stable and secure setup without needing a broad exclusion. If there is anything else I can assist you with, please feel free to let me know in the Comments section.

If my response is helpful to you, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it.
Hendrix-V 14,680 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-29T06:35:02.4133333+00:00

Hi,

I just wanted to follow up and check if the information I provided was helpful. If you have any further questions or updates regarding this issue, please feel free to let me know in the Comments section. I'd be happy to assist you.

Answer 2

AI answer

File Explorer slowness when working with specific file types such as RAR archives can be caused by several general performance issues in Windows, including system updates, malware, or corrupted system components. The available guidance focuses on improving overall PC performance and repairing system files rather than RAR-specific behavior.

Follow these steps in order:

Install all Windows and optional driver updates

Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Install all available updates and restart if required.
Then go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
If additional updates are available (including drivers), select them and choose Download & install.

Keeping Windows and drivers fully updated can improve File Explorer responsiveness and address performance regressions.

Run a malware scan Even on a new machine, malware or unwanted software can cause File Explorer to become slow when accessing files.

Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
Select Quick scan and let it complete.

If threats are found, remove or quarantine them and restart the device.

Check File Explorer health and basic troubleshooting If File Explorer becomes generally unresponsive or slow, use the standard troubleshooting steps:

Ensure all updates from step 1 are installed.
Restart the device to complete any pending updates.
If File Explorer issues persist beyond RAR files, consider a broader repair such as resetting Windows (see step 4).

Repair Windows while keeping files and apps If performance issues continue, a repair/reset of Windows can restore File Explorer behavior without necessarily doing a full wipe:

Use the in-place repair/"Fix problems using Windows Update" style option that reinstalls Windows while preserving apps, files, and settings. This has been reported to restore normal File Explorer behavior in Windows 11 scenarios.
If that is not sufficient, use Settings > System > Recovery and choose Reset this PC with Keep my files. This reinstalls Windows, removes apps and settings, but keeps personal files.

This type of repair can resolve deep system issues that SFC/DISM do not report as errors but still affect performance.

As a last resort, full reset If none of the above resolves the slowness, a full factory reset (clean reinstall of Windows) is the final option. This returns the system to its original state and typically eliminates persistent File Explorer performance problems, but requires reinstalling apps and restoring data from backup.

References:

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File Explorer is REALLY REALLY slow when dealing with RAR files

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