Download Folder VERY Slow to load folders and files. (With Screenshare)

Hey Everyone

I have just installed windows 11..

And i noticed that the download folder (i have 255 folder/files in that folder) loads very slowly everytime i try to open it.

I have sorted it by date, and when i enter the folder it has it sorted by random, and then it spends around 24 seconds to sort the folder by date, everytime i try to open it.

I have made a screenshare video in Loom here: Loom | Free Screen & Video Recording Software

i record the video with the download folder to the left, and a Google timer to the right.

Any suggestions to what it could be?

I think it could be because of corrupted thumbnail. Open File Explorer. Click on three horizontal dots at the right end of the ribbon tabs and then choose Options from the menu. In the Folder Options window, place a check mark for the box beside Always show icons, never thumbnails. Click Apply and hit Ok. See opening the folder speedup.

Thank you for the reply, and for the suggestion, but sadly it is still the same, around 24 second load time

Boot into Safe Mode and try again.

It definitely loads right away in safe mode

CryptoKing said:

It definitely loads right away in safe mode

Click to expand...

In this guide, you will learn the steps to perform a clean boot on Windows 11 and Windows 10 to help you troubleshoot and determine conflicts in your setup.

Performing clean boot is all in @FreeBooter video. If you need the procedure in writing here's the tutorial that shows how to weed out troublesome software.
Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

My Downloads folder takes a while to fully load the icons too

BrianInEngland said:

My Downloads folder takes a while to fully load the icons too

Click to expand...

Ditto. I suppose it depends on the size of the folder. Second time I open it it opens quickly.

BrianInEngland said:

My Downloads folder takes a while to fully load the icons too

Click to expand...

See changing icon cache size will help.

Thanks for guide guys..

So i disabled all services, and startup, and then i restarted, but the problem still persisted with the slow loading of the download folder..

Does that mean there is an issue with the installation of windows if there is no application that is creating the issue?

BrianInEngland said:

My Downloads folder takes a while to fully load the icons too

Click to expand...

How long is a while ?

It is really annoying though, because if i go into a subfolder in the download folder and then i click the back button to go back to the download folder

It then again have to load the download folder for another 20 - 30 seconds.

See clearing File Explorer history will help.

In this Video, i will show you how to fix the slow right-click issues and File Explorer Crashing problems in Windows.

CryptoKing said:

How long is a while ?

Click to expand...

Not timed it, the icons take a while to appear.

FreeBooter said:

See clearing File Explorer history will help.

Click to expand...

I have just noticed that if i sort the download folder after "date of change" instead of just "date" it will load the folder right away...

Actually if i sort the folder after "Name", "Change of date", "Type", "Size" and "Author" it will load right away...

But if i sort it after "Brands", "Title" or "Date" it will load very slow, +20 seconds.