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Windows 7 File Explorer Suddenly Slow

Anonymous
2016-02-15T18:18:32+00:00

Running Windows 7 - I woke up to a automatic update this morning, which was something very small, just a Security Essentials definition update and the computer rebooted so I logged back in this morning. Everything works fine and is quite fast as usual, however Windows File Explorer is horrendously slow. I have never encountered this before. My PC is relatively fast, my Windows Experience number is 7.5 and I never really ever have speed issues. Now the explorer is slow to respond.. so when I click on the window or icon in the taskbar.. it takes around 5-10 seconds to repond.. when I click on a folder it takes 5-10 seconds to respond.. in the past this is instantaneous. When I browse my files from another app, there is no delay. This is only in Explorer. Once I am in the folder I can click on the files and load them quickly, but activating the window, clicking on any of the menu items or loading explorer are very slow... any ideas?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-02-16T07:23:21+00:00

    Hello Nelson,

    Thank you for posting your question on Microsoft community.

    I appreciate you for providing details about the issue and your efforts towards resolving it.

    This issue may occur either due to corrupt Windows files or software conflicts.

    I would suggest you to try following methods and check if it helps.

    Method 1:

    Step 1:

    Start your computer in safe mode and check the issue.

    Refer this article:

    Start your computer in safe mode

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7

    If the issue does not persist in safe mode, then perform clean boot.

    Step 2:

    Perform clean boot.

    Refer this article:

    How to perform a clean boot in Windows

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    Clean boot is performed to start Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program or an update or when you run a program.

    Note: After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps from section “How to reset the computer to start as usual after clean boot troubleshooting” to reset the computer to start as usual.

    If it does not help, use method 2:

    Method 2:

    Run system file checker(SFC) to fix missing or corrupt Windows files which may be causing the issue.

    Refer this article:

    Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

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

    System file checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.

    I hope this information helps.

    Please do let us know if you need any further assistance.

    Thank you

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2016-02-29T04:15:50+00:00

    Hello Nelson,

    Thank you for the update.

    It is good to know that the issue got resolved by replacing the hard drive.

    I appreciate your efforts.

    Please feel free to reply, if you have any other issues with Windows.

    Thank you

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2016-02-16T17:00:54+00:00

    Hi Ratandeep, Thanks for the reply. I tried booting up in Safe Mode and the problem does still persist. The Windows Explorer just does a strange thing where it seems like its working really hard when I move from the directory tree on the left side to the main window.. or when I click on any folders to try and browse within them. Nothing seems to fix this. 

    Is there a way to repair the windows explorer? Assuming that is the problem?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2016-02-28T22:01:55+00:00

    I discovered the reason was my SSD was bad. It was somehow corrupting data which was preventing me from reinstalling windows so I reverted back to my old SSD and it is working now. Getting a replacement SSD as we speak!

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-02-28T10:11:52+00:00

    Hello Nelson,

    Thank you for your response.

    I am sorry for late reply.

    I appreciate your time.

    I would suggest you to run Microsoft safety scanner to check and remove any virus or malware which may be causing the issue.

    Refer:

    Microsoft safety scanner

    http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

    Note: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss.

    Please keep us updated.

    Thank you

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