System Performance Issue – Folder and Document Access Delay ->"Working on it…"

Question

Dear [IT Support/Team],

I’m experiencing an issue when trying to open "my documents" folder or any subfolders. At times, the system displays “Working on it…” and then hangs for a LONG TIME, which delays access to my files.

I’m curious to know if this issue could be related to temporary files or cache stored on my system. Additionally, could you please guide me on the recommended process for regular cache and temporary file management to help improve performance?

Your assistance in resolving this issue and sharing best practices for maintaining system efficiency would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support.

Best Regards,
B guru charan

Answer 1

The issue you are experiencing with the "Working on it..." message and delays in accessing your documents could indeed be related to temporary files or cache stored on your system. Here are some recommended practices for managing cache and temporary files to help improve performance:

1. Regularly Clear Temporary Files: You can use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool in Windows to remove temporary files. This can help free up space and improve performance.
   • To access Disk Cleanup, type Disk Cleanup in the Windows search bar and select the drive you want to clean.
2. Manage Cache Size: Increasing the cache size for temporary internet files can also improve performance. This can be done in your browser settings, depending on which browser you are using.
3. Close Unused Applications: Having too many applications open can slow down your system. Close any applications that you are not currently using.
4. Keep Your System Updated: Ensure that your Windows operating system and all applications are up to date, as updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes.
5. Use Storage Sense: Windows 10 and 11 have a feature called Storage Sense that can automatically free up space by deleting unnecessary files. You can enable it in the Settings under System > Storage.
6. Regularly Restart Your Computer: Restarting can help clear temporary files and refresh system resources.

By following these practices, you should be able to improve the performance of your system and reduce the delays you are experiencing when accessing folders and documents.

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References:

• Best practices for using Office 365 on a slow network
• Troubleshoot Azure Files performance issues

Answer 2

If you use OneDrive to sync your files online, open OneDrive settings and ensure that OneDrive is not set to 'Files on Demand' to save space on your drive, and ensure OneDrive is syncing your files back to your PC correctly, OneDrive may be the cause of this problem.