File Explorer has become slow in opening folders.

On Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:17:35 +0000, JDMill wrote:

When I click on a folder in File Explorer (Win 7 Professional), it takes much more time than it has in the past to  list folder contents.  This is true for all folders I've tried.  Shortcuts seem to work at normal speed.  I've run a virus scan (McAfee) and am apparently clean.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.

Two points:

1. A virus is only one kind of malware. To be reasonably sure you are
   not infected you need to run both an anti-virus program and an
   ant-spyware program. For an anti-spyware program, I strongly recommend
   the free MalwareBytes AntiMalware at http://www.malwarebytes.org/
2. Although McAfee is a very popular anti-virus program, in my view,
   and that of lots of others of us here, it is among the worst. I
   recommend that you get rid of it and replace it. For an anti-virus
   program, I recommend eSet NOD32 or Kaspersky, if you are willing to
   pay for it. If you want a free anti-virus, I recommend one (do not run
   more than one antivirus program) of the following three:

Avira AntiVir
Avast
Microsoft Security Essentials

When I click on a folder in File Explorer (Win 7 Professional), it takes much more time than it has in the past to  list folder contents.  This is true for all folders I've tried.  Shortcuts seem to work at normal speed.  I've run a virus scan (McAfee) and am apparently clean.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.

It is recommended to perform scan using:

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Make sure your system is clean first. use CCleaner to get rid of junk files: http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

Perform scan for spyware also using superantispyware http://www.superantispyware.com/

You could also use this one http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/eek/

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/eek/

Also scan for viruses using your antivirus program and make sure it is uptodate. if you don't have one then I recommend Avast FREE antivirus.

Note that Anti virus programs like Norton and Mcafee can cause your pc slow down in start up and during work and they do not have a good detection rate compare to others. I highly recommend to uninstall Mcafee products from control panel and then use Mcafee removal tool to get rid of left overs.

http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Then switch to Avast FREE antivirus:

http://www.avast.com/en-gb/index

It has more features and great detection rate compare to Mcafee.

It is recommended to perform all scans in Safe made with networking so that you can use internet to update your programs.

If above did not fix the problem then:

Go to msconfig (type in search box in startmenu or run in xp then press enter) then prepare your PC for clean boot by disabling all start up items and none windows services then restart your computer. See if it make a difference? if it did then you have to find out which ones caused the problem.

Also make sure your windows is up to date and drivers are working properly (Check device manger for danger signs) and they are up to date too.

Uninstall programs you don't use or you have recently installed that might have caused the problem.

Uninstall toolbars, any registry cleaners or any other unused or rarely used third party programs. 

Try running system file checker through cmd.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

Try running Disc clean up and disc DE-fragment tools in Windows. 

Also make sure that your disc de-fragment is scheduled to run monthly or weekly basis depending on your pc usage.

Also check your disc for error if you have used your pc for long period of time (more than 2 years).

You can also visit my blog here: http://safeworldwidewebsurfing.blogspot.co.uk/ for more tips on how to surf web safely!