Why is the COPY and then PASTE so slow?

Didn't work

Went thru the entire laborious steps ... till the end!

Yeah, I didn't think it would work...

THAT'S why I mentioned the last step!

Let's just skip this.  Enough!

Thanks anyway

Hi ED. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Guardian Moderator here to help you.

1. Right click Start button to open Task Manager, show More Details, then choose Processes tab, scroll down to Windows Processes, then further down to Windows Explorer. Right click to Restart Explorer, then Restart PC.
2. Run a Disk check on all drives involved:

https://www.raymond.cc/blog/running-a-check-dis...

3. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

4. Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page.

5. If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, and is also the most stable method to advance to the latest version. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I solved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

I gave you an entire list of things to try which have worked for others with external drive problems we see here every day. Why did you mention only the last step??

Please start at the top.  I am standing by here to help if needed.

Hi,

The Windows folder can get to be quite large in size.. At the moment, mine is 16.9GB... It is not just the size of the folder, but the size of the actual files... Small files are much slower to read\write than larger files..

If you are using a USB 2.0 connection it would be very slow.. If the drivers are not updated, it could even be copying at USB 1.1 speed...

The most likely reason it shows   99% complete, 5 seconds left  ====> for the last 90 minutes! is that there are files that have been copied to memory... The delay is copying them from the memory to the external drive..

Is this WD drive USB powered or does it use a wall plug adapter ?

Thanks for your input.

It happened immediately AFTER I got my laptop and I started backing up system and data files to a backup drive.  Not sure how much more a Repair installation would do.

I keep both Windows 10 and 7 up to maintenance already, as well as update drivers.

I already check to see what is brought up at bootup time, as well as run scans to check for infections about once a week. 

I will try to follow what you suggested, but obviously it takes time to do all this- hopefully, after going thru all this, it will speed up, though I do have my doubts.

THANKS for your input