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Many people complain that folders take a lot of time to load in Windows 7 (sometimes even more than 10 seconds), especially when the folder size is huge. Now, the question here is, is Windows 7 slow or is it the way you maintain your computer? There is no solid answer to this.

However, there are ways to speed up the loading of folders. We have compiled a list of activities that (if performed) may help in improving the speed. These processes are not foolproof, but yes, they have shown improvements and positive results. So, go ahead and try your luck.

Optimize Folders for Contents

Windows generally optimizes a folder based on the contents in it. However, when the optimization is stated as Documents or General, I have noticed that the time taken to load a folder is comparatively lower. To do that follow these steps:-
Step 1: Right-click on the folder in question and choose to launch its Properties.

Step 2: On the Loading Properties window, navigate to Customize tab. Then, check General Items or Documents from the drop down and apply the setting to sub-folders as well.

Rebuild the Index

The indexing of files and folders can get messy over time with the addition and deletion of data. Though Windows manages the change, it could be a good idea to manually rebuild the index when loading of contents is slow. Here’s how to do that.
Step 1: Click on Start menu and type index. Select Indexing Options from the list that appears.

Step 2: That will open the Indexing Options window. Click on Advanced and enter the administrator password if prompted to do so.




Step 3: In the Advanced Options dialog box, click the Index Settings tab, and then click Rebuild.

Note: Indexing may take long time to complete. Some views and search results may be incomplete till then.

Organizing Files and Folders

Generally organizing files in a directory and sub-directory structure helps in better optimization and indexing. As a computer user it is a thumb rule to better maintenance.
There could be chances that the folders which are loading slowly have shortcuts to some other locations that do not exist anymore or point to invalid path. So, carefully check and confirm that there is nothing of that sort. Else, Windows wastes time in looking for those invalid paths.

Handling Thumbnail Cache

When you have the thumbnail view activated Windows may take time in loading the thumbnail of files and folders. Generally, thumbnails are cached for faster loading but the activity of rebuilding these pictures on change of content makes things bad.
Now, you can avoid the thumbnails and the associated time by ensuring that Windows shows icons only and never thumbnails.


Cool Tip: Read our article on Thumbs.db files in Windows to learn more about these thumbnails and the process of viewing icons only.
Besides, you can always change the folder view to List or Details rather than keeping the iconic view. That again helps by reducing the time to load thumbnail pictures.

Conclusion

I have stated these things from experience. They have worked a number of times for me and my friends. There is nothing special about these activities; however, there is no harm in trying them. They may help you get rid of the green bar that keeps floating for minutes.
Tell us if it helps. If you are aware of more methods to do so, let us know.
Top Image Credit: openDemocracy