File Explorer Green progress animation in address bar...


TheMystic

TheMystic

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Hello community!

File Explorer in Windows fortunately allows folders to retain their individual sort settings. When sorting by date, the ideal way should be to sort files in the descending order of date, which keeps the newest file on top.

When viewing folders with a large number of files, File Explorer first launches with the default sort order by name, and then sorts it by date in descending order if the user has set it to sort by date. This happens every single time.

What this means is everytime you open the folder, you have to wait for a few seconds for File Explorer to sort the files for you and generate thumbnails, which shows the green progress animation in the address bar. This becomes annoying if the folder is a frequently accessed one.

Is there something that can be done to make this process faster so that the folder automatically opens in the user set sort order?

Thanks.
 

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@TheMystic
I don't think anybody knows the answer..., I don't even think Microsoft knows the answer! 🤷‍♂️

You know what else irks me?
'Size all columns to fit' only works for the items in view! If there is an item farther down, with a longer name, out of view, it doesn't re-size the column to fit that! :unsure:
 
Last edited:

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I have never noticed that @Edwin I do like the idea of being able to set the columns to fit on different folders in Explorer as some need a small spacing others large and it varies folder to folder.
 

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TheMystic said:
Hello community!

File Explorer in Windows fortunately allows folders to retain their individual sort settings. When sorting by date, the ideal way should be to sort files in the descending order of date, which keeps the newest file on top.

When viewing folders with a large number of files, File Explorer first launches with the default sort order by name, and then sorts it by date in descending order if the user has set it to sort by date. This happens every single time.

What this means is everytime you open the folder, you have to wait for a few seconds for File Explorer to sort the files for you and generate thumbnails, which shows the green progress animation in the address bar. This becomes annoying if the folder is a frequently accessed one.

Is there something that can be done to make this process faster so that the folder automatically opens in the user set sort order?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
What I did to help with this behavior was turnoff the deletion of the thumbnail cache so it doesn't have to rebuild every time you shutdown or reboot. Large folders will load much quicker if the cache is saved. A reg tweak in link below if you don't use winaero tweaker.

winaero.com

Prevent Windows 10 From Deleting Thumbnail Cache

In Windows 10, File Explorer is able to show preview thumbnails for image and video files you have stored on your disk drive. Users have noticed that Windows 10 deletes the thumbnail cache automatically.
winaero.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M17 R3
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10750H (Comet Lake)
    Motherboard
    Alienware
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    32GB DDR4
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    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 and Intel UHD Graphics
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    60 mbps
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    Vivaldi and Firefox
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    MS Defender and Malwarebytes Free
FrancoDT said:
What I did to help with this behavior was turnoff the deletion of the thumbnail cache so it doesn't have to rebuild every time you shutdown or reboot. Large folders will load much quicker if the cache is saved. A reg tweak in link below if you don't use winaero tweaker.

winaero.com

Prevent Windows 10 From Deleting Thumbnail Cache

In Windows 10, File Explorer is able to show preview thumbnails for image and video files you have stored on your disk drive. Users have noticed that Windows 10 deletes the thumbnail cache automatically.
winaero.com
Click to expand...
I already had those two Autorun keys in the registry with value set to zero (it was there by default; I didn't create them.).

Even when I run Disk Cleanup or CCleaner, I leave thumbnails unchecked.

I don't think Windows Explorer is generating thumbnails each time, instead it is just loading them and that itself takes time for large folders. This doesn't happen when a folder has just a few files. The problem is pretty much limited to large folders with hundreds of pictures or videos, like the Camera Roll.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
TheMystic said:
I already had those two Autorun keys in the registry with value set to zero (it was there by default; I didn't create them.).

Even when I run Disk Cleanup or CCleaner, I leave thumbnails unchecked.

I don't think Windows Explorer is generating thumbnails each time, instead it is just loading them and that itself takes time for large folders. This doesn't happen when a folder has just a few files. The problem is pretty much limited to large folders with hundreds of pictures or videos, like the Camera Roll.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, mine will load very quickly, for example a wallpaper directory I have with 435 images will load the large thumbnails as fast as I can scroll down the explorer screen. If I purge the cache then I get the annoying wait time.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M17 R3
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10750H (Comet Lake)
    Motherboard
    Alienware
    Memory
    32GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 and Intel UHD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC3281-CG
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    Micron 2300 NVMe 1TB
    PC SN530 NVMe WDC 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    60mbps
    Browser
    Vivaldi and Firefox
    Antivirus
    MS Defender and Malwarebytes Free
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 22H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-1065G7 (Ice Lake)
    Motherboard
    Microsoft Corp.
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus Graphics
    Sound Card
    Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.5” PixelSense Touchscreen Display
    Screen Resolution
    2256x1504
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba Memory 512GB
    Mouse
    Surface Arc Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 mbps
    Browser
    Vivaldi and Firefox
    Antivirus
    MS Defender and Malwarebytes Free
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