Windows 10: File explorer slow opening folder containing shortcuts

I have a folder lets call it folder AP that contains approximately 30 shortcuts to other folders located in a separate folder call it folder CJ; all of these folders are located on the same drive. The folder AP has a few files in it but it primarily contains shortcuts to other folders. When I try to open folder AP, windows explorer takes a looong time to display the contents. The green progress bar shows up near the top of the window and it may take a minute or so to display the contents.I do not have any problems with any other folders I access. For example, folder CJ is much larger at l

:)

 

Since 2022H2: File Explorer slow when Quick Access contains WSL folders.

After upgrading Windows 11 to 2022H2, the file explorer is slow showing it initial list of Quick Access folders in right panel.



It seems WSL locations in Quick access is causing the latency.



Before upgrade:

- Initial list of folders in right pane was fast. Quick access contains folders of WSL.

- Accessing WSL folder from Quick Access was slow (very slow).

- When WSL terminal is open, accessing WSL folder in File explorer was fast.



After 2022H2 upgrade:

- Initial list of folders in right pane is slow. Quick access contains folders of WSL.

- Accessing WSL folder from Quick Access is fast.

- When removing folders that point to WSL folders from Quick access, initial startup is swift.

- When adding folders pointing to WSL, file explorer is slow.

- When WSL terminal is open, initial startup of File Explorer is fast.



It seems like in previous version of Windows 11, WSL was lazily started when WSL folders were accessed, while after upgrading to 2022H2, WSL is initialized at startup of Explorer when WSL files are in Quick Access.



I think I prefer WSL to be started lazily since I do not always access WSL based folders.

 

File explorer slow in opening folder with shortcuts


Recently a change occured (after an update?).
I have a folder containing only 6 shortcuts, linking to devices or to drives, connected to devices, in my home network. Opening this folder takes about 30 sec. It has to do with those shortcuts that link to drives, connected to devices, which are off. Apparently, file explorer, when trying to present the shortcuts, also tries to get some info from those drives. After failing, file explorer nevertheless decides to present the shortcut after long waiting time.
This effect has come recently in W10. In most cases, the effect is there, but in a few cases, the map is opening normally.

 

Explorer Opens slow

I have tried the steps listed below. Method 2 and pinned it to the task bar. This helps it open faster but when it opens then the open window are grouped away from the icon on the task bar. I have to have two explorer folders pinned to the task bar to
have a fast opening Explorer and grouped windows together.



When I do "open file location" the original one shows it is on the desktop, but it is not there. The other one I created tracks back to the C:\ drive location as it was created. Just kind of weird that one is referencing the Desktop when it is not there.
Maybe hidden but still kind of odd.

How can I make it where I only have one Explorer that is both fast to open and the only one on the task bar?

Method 1: Rebuild your search index.

• Press Windows key + R, type control.exe srchadmin.dll, and click on OK.
• Click on the Advanced button.
• From the Advanced dialogue box, select Rebuild. Selecting Rebuild will begin the process of deleting, and then rebuilding your PC’s search index.

Note: While the steps to initiate the rebuilding process are simple, the actual process can take quite some time depending on how much data Windows has to index.

Method 2: Create a File Explorer shortcut on your desktop.

• On your Windows 10 desktop, right-click with the mouse.
• Select New > Shortcut.
• Type explorer.exe in the Location box.
• Click on Next button.
• Click on Finish button. You should now have a shortcut on your desktop.
• Right-click the new shortcut, and select Properties.
• Under Target line, change it to (note the space between C:\Windows\explorer.exe and /n):
  
  C:\Windows\explorer.exe /n
• Click the OK button. Now you can double-click it like your regular File Explorer app.

Method 3: Reset the File Explorer view to the default settings across all your folders.

• Launch File Explorer, click the File menu, and select Change folder and search options.
• Click on the View tab.
• Under Folder views, click on Reset Folders.
• Click the OK button.

Let us know if any of the suggestions helped.