Win 7 is parsing video files during file management!

[Curve]

I have discovered that Win 7 x64 tries to parse video files in some way while working with them (file management) - I don't know if it's trying to build a video thumbnail, or what. But as a result, in certain circumstances, such as working with them on a network share, file operations take forever.

For example, let's say I have a Win 7 x64 machine working on a network share from a machine running XP. And let's say that I have a number of video files on that remote XP machine.

If I try to move those video files from one remote directory to another, it can take 10 seconds for the move to occur. On the other hand, if I change their extensions to ".zip", moves are instantaneous.

The same thing happens when I am trying to rename them. If they have a video extension (i.e. mkv, mov, etc...), it's like the process freezes for 10-60 seconds. But if they are renamed as ".zip" files (which will also take forever), subsequent renames (while keeping the ".zip" extension) occur immediately.


If I access this remote share from an XP machine, this problem does not exist, so clearly it's Win 7.


So, what exactly is Windows 7 doing, and how can I shut the damned "feature" off?

 

[hybridfan]

Maybe your virus scanner is scanning the files as you work with them, just a thought. Also there might be media services "working" on the file, like you say trying to create a thumbnail.

 

[Curve]

Maybe your virus scanner is scanning the files as you work with them, just a thought. Also there might be media services "working" on the file, like you say trying to create a thumbnail.

It's not the AV. I don't use real-time scanning of any sort. As for media services, what does Win 7 use in this regard that XP doesn't?

 

[OldBloke]

Does it help if you always use details view in Explorer?
That way, it only has to show you small icons.

You could try in Control Panel > Folder Options > View > check "always show icons, never thumbnails".
Maybe also uncheck "display file size information in folder tips" (which might cause delays too).