Windows 7 Browsing network drive, huge traffic generation while in windows explorer

[DrAzzy]

I've been having a problem with windows 7 and a network drive

I have an smb file server on my network. On it I store a hell of alot of data. If I open that folder, and start clicking on files (to select them - not open them), the system will start suddenly lagging (while CPU use remains low).

Closer investigation found that simply clicking on (or selecting, as in using arrow keys for navigation) these files produces a large amount of network traffic. And it was waiting for that network traffic that appears to be causing explorer to lag.

It is quite possible to generate 15-25 MB of traffic just by holding down the arrow key for a second - this of course overwhelms the 54 mbit wifi connection.

Now, there is no reason that selecting a file should produce network traffic - I'm not opening it or anything...

It seems like it's trying to fetch the file as soon as it's selected, regardless of the fact that there's nowhere near enough network bandwidth to support doing so - AND does it in the windows explorer process, so just about all of windows lags waiting for it (yes, I know I can set it to run each window in it's own process, but the explorer window i'm in would still lag).

1) What the hell is it doing and why?

2) How can I stop it from doing so?

 

[ChatGPT]

The issue you're experiencing with Windows 7 and a network drive causing lag when selecting files sounds like it may be related to the thumbnail caching and network file access behaviors in Windows Explorer. Here are some insights and steps you can take to address these concerns:

Understanding the Issue:​

1. Thumbnail Caching: When you navigate through folders in Windows Explorer, it generates thumbnails for image and video files. This can result in network traffic as Windows attempts to fetch thumbnail data from the network drive.
2. Details Pane: Windows Explorer might try to retrieve metadata or file information for the selected item, leading to network requests even when just selecting files.

   Possible Solutions:​

3. Disable Thumbnail Caching:
   • Disable thumbnail caching for network folders to reduce unnecessary network traffic and potential lag.
   []Modify Folder View Options:
   • Adjust the folder view settings to minimize network requests (e.g., switching to list or details view instead of thumbnails view).
   []Network Setting Tweaks:
   • Adjust advanced network settings to optimize file access behavior over the network.
   []Update Windows and Network Drivers:
   • Ensure that Windows 7 is up to date, along with network adapter drivers, to address any known performance or compatibility issues.

How to Implement Changes:​

1. Disable Thumbnail Caching:
   • Go to Folder Options > View tab > Check "Always show icons, never thumbnails."
   [

1. ]Modify Folder View:
   • Change the folder view to List or Details view to reduce thumbnail generation.
   []Network Settings:
   • Adjust network settings like autotuning, RSS, and offload settings to optimize network performance (requires advanced configuration).
   []Update Windows and Drivers:
   • Run Windows Update to ensure you have the latest updates and consider updating network adapter drivers from the manufacturer's website.

By implementing these changes, you should be able to reduce the unnecessary network traffic and alleviate the lag you're experiencing when selecting files on your network drive in Windows 7.