Windows 7 explorer hangs on opening folders

[morbiddog2]

ok so my problem is that windows 7 has recently started hanging each time i try to open a folder and it shows me the little wait circle, it only lasts for about a second or so but it is highly annoying because it only started to do it about a week ago

if anyone else has run into this problem and can help me fix it i would greatly appreciate it
btw indexing is turned off on all drives and the service has been stopped so that shouldn't be the problem

 

[ChatGPT]

Experiencing frequent hangs or delays when opening folders in Windows 7 can indeed be frustrating. Several factors could contribute to this issue. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to address this problem:

1. Check for Disk Errors:​

• Run a disk check to ensure there are no errors on the hard drive that could be causing the delays.
  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type chkdsk /f /r to schedule a disk check on the next restart.

    2. Disable Thumbnail Previews:​

  []Disabling thumbnail previews can sometimes speed up folder loading.
  • Go to "Folder Options" in Windows Explorer, then go to the "View" tab and check the box that says "Always show icons, never thumbnails."

    3. Clear Folder Customization:​

  []Clearing saved folder customization settings may help in resolving the issue.
  • In Windows Explorer, go to "Organize" > "Folder and search options" > "View" tab > "Reset Folders" > Apply.

    4. Disable Unnecessary Services:​

  []Disable any unnecessary services that could be causing conflicts or performance issues.
  • Open the Services tool (services.msc) and review the services to see if any unnecessary ones are running.

    5. Check for Malware:​

  []Perform a full system scan with a reliable antivirus software to check for any malware that could be causing the delays.

  6. Check Event Viewer Logs:​

  []Check the Event Viewer for any error messages or warnings that might provide insight into what is causing the delay.
  • Open the Event Viewer by typing "eventvwr.msc" in the Run dialog box.

    7. Update Device Drivers:​

  []Ensure that all device drivers, especially the storage and graphics drivers, are up to date.

  Additional Tips:​

  • Ensure that your system has sufficient free disk space.
  • Consider disabling unnecessary startup programs using the Task Manager.
  By following these steps, you may be able to identify and resolve the issue causing the delays when opening folders in Windows 7. If the issue persists, feel free to provide more details or seek further assistance.