Windows 10: File explorer freezes after recent update

File Explorer in Windows 10 is opening so slowly that it could be called a freeze. The folder opens fairly normally the first time, but when I try to open a subfolder it hangs. The progress bar at the top of the page may eventually reach the end and still not show the folder contents. I have noticed some slowing on all my computers, but it is especially bad on my Surface Pro 3. It is impossible to use my Surface Pro at all. I have checked the Startup in the Task Manager, and memory being used by processes. Nothing seems out of the ordinary there, although I have noticed that Windows Explorer starts out low and gets higher pretty fast. I did a full cleanup, optimization and defragmentation. I have also run virus and malware scans, but I was not having this issue prior to the update so I think it is linked to that. I'm not sure what to do now. I don't think uninstalling the update is the solution since it said that support was ending for my version of Windows 10. I need help! Suggestions?

:)

 

Recent File List

Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file1

Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file2
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file3
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file4
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file5
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file6
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file7
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file8
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Applets\Paint\Recent File List" -name file9
...

you get the idea. ( too lazy to put it in a for loop and test it.

or just open regedit and remove all the fileX from that key.

 

How do I expand the 'Recent' list in the File Explorer?

Thanks for an alternative suggestion.





I don't know what happened... but the list got longer for some reason. I didn't do anything special... but it just got longer

 

File Explorer and Recent Files


At work, I'll open files on a network path that is only accessible at work, e.g.

\\mywork.org\shares\file.xyz

These files will appear in my recent list when opening File Explorer (Win+E). The problem I have is at home where that network path is not accessible, and the File Explorer window will HANG for minutes trying to find the file. I can get around it by running CCleaner and cleaning recent files, but I was wondering if there was something else that could be done where I don't have to wipe out my recent list?

Thanks!