First Desktop Folder Opens Slowly

[DarrellS]

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate but I believe I had the same issue with XP SP3. When I open the first folder (any folder) on my desktop, it takes about 5 seconds to fully open with erratic mouse movement. I created a new empty folder and it does the same thing so the amount of programs in the folder doesn't matter.

I've tried everything that I've found online but nothing has helped since their issue was all Windows Explorer folders, not just the first folder. All of my desktop folders work fine as long as I keep the first folder (or any folder) open. I also have no problems with the folders inside folders. The problem only occurs when I open the first desktop folder. If I close the single opened folder and open a different (or same) folder, the problem occurs.

I believe the fix in XP was to rename Acronis .tib files and uninstalling Acronis since it had so many useless services running at all times. Another was stopping programs from searching optical drives or compressed files (winzip, 7zip etc...). I uninstalled Acronis and renamed the backup files and I've turned off Windows Search (it's useless anyway and I use a program called Search Everything) and stopped a bunch of unnecessary services but nothing seems to help. Another fix for XP was deleting the Explorer shortcut and creating a new one but that doesn't work either for Windows 7.

I re-installed Windows 7 and didn't notice the problem until after I had almost everything reloaded.

[davexnet]

Have you tried a clean boot to see if the problem still occurs.
Does it occur in safemode?

[nic2k4]

I noticed that behavior in XP and 98 after powering up the PC. I have not seen it in Win7. My conclusion was that it had to do with all the services, programs and what not that load at startup delaying Explorer. Keep in mind that every individual folders and the desktop are Windows Explorer processes. I've never installed Acronis in Windows, I only run it from the CD so it can't be the cause per se. OTH, any program that adds options to the Explorer context menu is bound to delay it until the options are loaded in memory. These options have a lower priority on the list of things that happen at startup hence the delay loading Explorer. In my observations I noticed that the delay didn't happen if I waited a couple minutes before opening a folder or even clicking the start button (how long depends on the hardware, wait for the PC to finish booting).

You can use Bootvis to see what takes the most time to load and use programs like Startup Delayer or Quick Startup to change the way XP boots. In Win7 there an Automatic Delay option for loading services. Just Google faster boot for guides.

Edit: On Win7 I used the built in performance troubleshooter. Also, I don't allow every programs to add icons to the tray (next to the clock), I only have 5 and I don't enable most context menu add-on.

[DarrellS]

Have you tried a clean boot to see if the problem still occurs.
Does it occur in safemode?

I tried both Clean Boot and Safe Mode but neither had any affect. I went back into msconfig, Startup and unchecked everything I didn't need running. I read somewhere that msconfig wasn't a good idea in Windows 7 and that I should use Autoruns instead.

[DarrellS]

@nic2k4, I do have a few programs with right click menus. I thought maybe directing Windows to load in Windows Explorer or My Computer if that was possible. I turned off thumbnails so I could turn off a few handlers but I like to run Explorer with audio and video property columns.

[DarrellS]

I looked down at the system tray and noticed that my Nvidia Icon was missing so I updated the driver and the folder opens fine now. Hopefully I won't get multiple instances of Explorer in my Task Manager which I was getting before I re-installed the OS. Now I'll try and set Explorer to open in My Computer instead of Libraries.


EDIT: Well crap. I set Explorer to open in My Computer and the problem returned. Changed it back to default but the problem remains.

[hech54]

99% of the time I put my computer (XP Pro) in Stand By overnight. On the odd occasion that I need to restart, the very first time I open Firefox it opens quite slow....but then after that everything is normal speed.
I keep my services and start-up pretty clean though.

[newpball]

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate but I believe I had the same issue with XP SP3. When I open the first folder (any folder) on my desktop, it takes about 5 seconds to fully open with erratic mouse movement. I created a new empty folder and it does the same thing so the amount of programs in the folder doesn't matter.

Folders on your desktop take space on your system drive. You should keep your system drive exclusively for the OS, plus I would recommend to only run the OS on an SSD drive.

What does your hardware configuration look like?

[hello_hello]

I re-installed Windows 7 and didn't notice the problem until after I had almost everything reloaded.

If you had the same problem with XP and it seems the problem didn't start with Win7 until after most software was installed, it's likely to be something you've installed. I don't know what though. It's not a problem I've ever experienced. Although...
I kind of have a vague recollection as to that sort of problem being network related, ie Windows looking for network devices/drives. Do you have other devices on a network?

I did find a post in a forum where enabling Windows search and indexing apparently fixed the problem. I think it involved enabling indexing, then configuring it via control panel in relation to what gets indexed, otherwise the index files might point to folders or locations that no longer exist. Then maybe you could disable it again. Something along the lines of the last two posts here.

Are you attached to Windows Explorer? Because while it doesn't fix your problem, xplorer2 is a much better file manager, in my opinion. It can be configured to behave like Windows explorer but it's dual paned, and each pane can have tabs like a browser. Each tab can be configured to have different columns/views etc. There's an option for the program to start at the same state it was in when last closed, or you can save the state and tell it to always start that way. I do the latter so it always opens tabs to my most used locations. Like this:

[hello_hello]

Folders on your desktop take space on your system drive.

By default, but you can move the desktop folder to another location, including another drive.

[newpball]

Folders on your desktop take space on your system drive.

By default, but you can move the desktop folder to another location, including another drive.

You can but I heard that moving the user folder (and the desktop is in the user folder) might give problems with updates.

http://www.zdnet.com/article/dont-move-your-windows-user-profiles-folder-to-another-drive/

Making shortcuts is really the way to go.

[DarrellS]

Most of the folders on my desktop are shortcuts to my programs. Windows Explorer, Users Files (My Documents), Video Tools, PC Tools, Security Tools and Games.

It doesn't matter if I start Windows Explorer from the shortcut on my desktop or from Start > Right Click > Windows Explorer. The behavior is the same. Opening My Computer produces the same behavior.

I guess I should've mentioned that I'm running Classic Mode in Windows 7. I'm pretty sure that is where the issue lies since I read it was a windows bug going back to Windows 98. I ran XP in Classic Mode also.

My hardware is old but I can't afford anything since Obama was elected, living on SSA Disability. I used to be able to put away a little each month for emergencies but now I'm lucky if I can make it month to month. I have medical bills from a heart attack and prostate cancer that I'm paying because I worked just enough to not to qualify for Medicaid which I paid into for 40 years and Indian Health Services tells me every time I ask for help that they don't have any money. I'd be better off if I never worked a day in my life. At least I'd get free medical and food stamps.

Anyway's, my hardware setup is in my profile. C:\ is on a 160GB Seagate ST316081 UMDA-6 with 92 MB/s average transfer speed (but only 8 MB cache). I have four storage drives.

I made a boot disc backup yesterday before I fixed the first problem and got the second problem. The second problem is worse in that it happens to all folders, all the time and changing the path back to default had no affect.

[DarrellS]

@hello_hello. I thought that maybe networking had something to do with it. I'm the only user so I could turn off sharing but I had to give everyone permission or Windows 7 would have total control. The first thing I did was install "Take Ownership" and share all my drives or I would not use Windows 7 at all. It's a 64 bit OS that gives you the use more memory but it takes a lot more memory to run than XP so IMO, it's not really worth it on my MB which can only use 8 GB of memory. I would still be running Windows 2000 if it supported my CPU and everyone hadn't dropped support for it. I don't see any OS being that much better than 98SE. The OS upgrades are just a reason to not fix problems that exist and sell you another OS. I'd rather not have anything to do with Microsoft after installing their software. IMO, they're the biggest malware you can have on your PC. I can't get a driver for my HP printer without using Windows Update. I bought the printer from HP (well Bestbuy), not Microsoft.

I thought about moving the folder but I still need Windows Explorer to access the drives. It's not just Windows Explorer that has the problem, it's any folder on the desktop (and now, every folder on my PC). I tried using Xplorer2 and using the Classic Menu add-on but had problems with both and I found that I could just use the Classic Theme in personalize customization.

[DarrellS]

Folders on your desktop take space on your system drive.

By default, but you can move the desktop folder to another location, including another drive.

You can but I heard that moving the user folder (and the desktop is in the user folder) might give problems with updates.

http://www.zdnet.com/article/dont-move-your-windows-user-profiles-folder-to-another-drive/

Making shortcuts is really the way to go.

Someone told me that you could install all your programs in a different drive than your boot drive but I don't see how if everything has to be tied to the System folder and the registry.It would be nice if you could. Then you could just restore your boot drive and not have to worry about anything else.

Well, I'm going to go restore my backup and fix it again and not change the path to open Explorer. As much as I hate opening in the Libraries folder, I'll have to just accept it.

[DarrellS]

I guess the biggest issue is why I can't do a system restore. Every attempt to restore to a different time fails. I can't remember if I've ever been able to restore to a different time in Windows 7 which is why I always have to restore a boot drive backup.

[DJ_ValBec]

It seams you have diff. problems.

Start > Control Panel > Switch to Category View > Performance & Maintenance :
A.- Adjust visual effects > Let windows choose what is best for you computer.
B.- Run DisK Cleanup
C.- Run Defragment ...you can schedule to do this a least once a week.

If you have +85% of your HDD full. Is time to upgrade to a faster and Bigger one.
An SSD will be your best bet.

10 Tips to Speed Up Your PC:
http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/315484/10-tips-to-speed-up-your-pc/1

Also:
- Run only 1 anti-virus.

- Disable unwanted startup programs.
(I disable all of them except my anti-virus - Avast or AVG)

- They are other tips to speed up your pc.
But start with this first.

Good luck.

[hello_hello]

You can but I heard that moving the user folder (and the desktop is in the user folder) might give problems with updates.

That's why I referred to moving the desktop folder, not the user folder.

I've been moving folders for years. Mainly the My Documents and Favourites folders. They're both residing on my D Drive at the moment. I've moved the Desktop folder before, but generally I have no need as I don't use it much. I did discover it's better to move My Documents before installing software as if you do it the other way around some (probably old) software just keeps looking for it in it's original location, but moving it first has never caused me a problem. Windows keeps track of it's new location and it continues to work as it always has.

Edit: Seems Win7 lets you move individual folders. Option 2.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html
Although you'd possibly only need to go through those steps to use an existing folder instead of the original one. If all you want to do is move the folder, then cut and paste will probably do the trick. I'm fairly sure it does for XP.

[DarrellS]

It took a while but I think I finally have it working. First, I started in Safe Mode to restore to another time. I chose last night at 7:45 since that was before all the fixes that did not work.

I turned off networking and turned Indexing and Search back on. I uninstalled 7zip which did not look right in the right click menu and a couple other programs that Windows could not find the path for. I removed all desktop folders except for Explorer (unticked Users Files in Desktop Icons). I believe that's it. I just have to remember that I can not create any other folders on the desktop.

EDIT:

There is still something totally wrong but I don't know what it is. (My) Computer takes 5 or 6 seconds to load with erratic mouse as does Computer Management and Disc Management takes forever to load (a minute or more). Explorer opens fine now but if I click Computer or any drive in the right panel, then it does the same erratic behavior. Explorer is set to show empty drives but it shows no optical drives in the left panel. Only in right panel if I click Computer.

Device Manager shows HP printer as Mass Storage but Disc Management doesn't show it at all (it used to, it was my Z drive). C:\ has a "System Reserved" partition that I've never seen before. I guess Acronis created that because it's supposed to be needed for Windows 7 to boot. MagicJack is T:\ drive for Tigerjet which is right.

I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and do a clean install of Windows 7 again. Is there a way to backup just the programs, files and folders and restore them over a fresh install of the OS?

[DJ_ValBec]

I have W-7 HP Laptop. and it come with a 2nd partition witch is the OS itself (Never mess around with it) That we use to format the PC if needed.
In stead to do a full format, you can choose the repair way.

I never like IE at all is to possessive and do wherever it takes in order to keep their Sheeps "Look -in" ..other browser do the same; but are more "friendly".
I have like another 10 browser install to use in stead.
I also block IE for my machines and do my updates manually when need it (average: once a year or so).

- How to disable IE from your PC using a dummy proxy server.
At IE Browser:
Tool > Internet Option... > Connections > LAN > Settings > "check" Use Proxy server > at Address 0.0.0.0 > at Port 80 > OK > OK

Also if you like:
Disable SSL3 Protocol and Enable TLS:
At IE Browser:
Tool > Internet Option... > Advanced > Settings > "Scroll down to" Security > "Un-check" Use SSL 3.0 & SSL 2.0 (if)
> "Check" Use TLS 1.0, 1.1 & 1.2 (if) > Apply > OK
This way you are FREE from the intrusive M$ browser.


If I'm about to do a Full-Format:
I back-up my folders (Music, Videos, Pics, etc.) on Disc's and also on a external SSD, or transfer to an old PC ...anyway I do that in a regular bases as I collect more of them. lol
I write the name of my programs I use most. and reinstall them from fresh, just in case some of them maybe corrupted or else.

Hope this help.

[DarrellS]

I tried the IE trick above but I wasn't able to post my reply because of a proxy server error so I undid it. I'm using Exede satellite Internet if that makes a difference. It's all I can get living in the sticks and why I use the internet mostly at night. I get free bandwidth from midnight to 5:00 am but only get 15 GB of bandwidth a month. I could use that up in a couple of hours if I tried.

I keep all my videos, audio and picture files in my storage drives but I do back up everything else I can remember (unless I'm too frustrated and leap before thinking) for doing a fresh install. I also back up my browsers (even though Chrome stores my settings online).

Anyways, I did a fresh install with just drivers and updates and Windows ran fine (well, if you call letting Microsoft have complete control of your PC fine) at default settings but as soon as I set it to Classic mode, the problem re-appeared so as others online have stated, it's a bug with Windows Explorer that has been around since at least XP and probably earlier although I don't remember having these problems in 98SE or Windows 2000.

Oh, I was able to get rid of another Explorer issue I was having with Windows 7 that kept anywhere from 2 to 10 instances of Explorer running in Task Manager. The windows would close but Explorer would still be running in the background. I guess I should wait until I run Virtualdub to be sure. Usually, stopping and restarting Explorer would fix the problem except with Virtualdub where the vdlaunch.exe file would get corrupted and I'd have to load a back up of the file.

[DJ_ValBec]

Before to get off from IE ...download other browser first. or you can get access to the net via programs that need to be connected to the net to run correctly.

IE is important ONLY for updates, but nobody need to have updates all the time like a zombie.
I do updates only when I really need them.
It's not updates for XP anymore, but if I tell you the truth I have my updates turn off at all times. 'cos it mess-up with some programs.

Most ppl. under satellite internet or WiFi have problems with speed (Browsing, uploads, downloads, etc.)
Is when the other browser come in to play.
I try to stay away from the 3 most popular browsers: But in particularly M$ & Google. FF is not that bad, but is heavy duty in special if you load it with to many ad-ons.
You do not have this issues when you have a fast net connection.

Other issues you run into it are programs that are relating to spy on us: like the 3 main browser who are direct connected to the NSA or fakes svchost.exe or ctfmon.exe at Task Manager and lately the new versions of CCleaner.
Also hackers watching you: This last 4 slow down your computer not matter if you have a fast internet connection.

FYI.
The Browsers are the new police of the net.
Don't let them have control of you !!!

To check on hackers & cut them off:
Start > Run... > cmd > enter > netstat -ano > enter
ESTABLISHED PID #xxx are your connections but some are your hackers that you End Process on task manager

Some browser are lighter and quicker that others.
Tor can be heavy duty with all the add-ons but it become lighter 'cos it is connected to other networks.

PaleMoon & Orca (No supporter) are lighter and quicker that Opera, etc.

I don't have Virtualdub install and I try to stay away from M$ & Apple products as far is possible.
My best guess is that you can use another alternative for Virtualdub:
http://alternativeto.net/software/virtualdub/

Hope this help.