Windows Explorer Slow Sort

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  1. Posts : 544
    Windows 10 Home, 64 bit
       #1

    Windows Explorer Slow Sort


    When I sort files in programs like MS Word, Excel, and others, sort is lightning-fast. When I sort files in Windows Explorer, the process is painfully slow. Explorer tells me my searches are slow because index isn't running. I turn on Index when prompted to do so, but when I check it in Index Options, it always reports it's not running.


    When I drill down to a folder, right-click on it, and click the Customize tab, I make sure the default setting of "General Items" is set. Still very slow sort. I've tried the other settings, too, but the slow sort continues.


    Thumbnails appear very slowly, too, when I look in jpeg directories, for example.


    I'm talking about folders with 250 to about 400 files. As I recall, Windows Explorer sort in XP was blazingly fast--at least for me. Same number of files, or more.


    Windows 7 is up to date, and I'm using only a fraction of the total hard drive space. Plenty of RAM (see specs). How do I get that fast sort again?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 41
    Win7 64-bit Ultimate
       #2

    Check and make sure the Windows Search Service is running first. If it is, then run a CHKDSK. Then run a Defrag.
    If you don't know how to do any of this, here you go:

    Step 1. Check the Windows Search Service is running

    1. Click Start
    2. Click Control Panel
    3. Click Administrative Tools
    4. Click Services
    5. Find the Service called "Windows Search"
    6. Make sure it is running, and set to Automatic.
    7. If not, start it and change the Startup Type to "Automatic"

    Step 2: Run a CHKDSK (Check Disk)

    1. Click Start
    2. Click Run, and type in "cmd" (without quotes), and make sure to check Run with Admin privs.
      If Run isn't there, type in "cmd" (without quotes) in the Search box. An icon will appear saying cmd. Right click it, and select "Run as Administrator". You may have to enter an admin password.
    3. A black box will open. Type the following: "chkdsk c: /f" (without quotes)
    4. It will give you a message saying it cannot check the volume since it is in use, and ask you to allow it to do it on a reboot. Answer "Y" (Yes). After that, reboot the computer. You will see a blue background with white text doing a check on the disk. Don't worry, it will complete by itself in 5-15 minutes, and then reboot.

    Step 3: Run a Defrag (MAY help your issue)

    1. Click Start
    2. Click Run, and type in "cmd" (without quotes), and make sure to check Run with Admin privs.
      If Run isn't there, type in "cmd" (without quotes) in the Search box. An icon will appear saying cmd. Right click it, and select "Run as Administrator". You may have to enter an admin password.
    3. A black box will open. Type the following: "defrag c:" (without quotes)
    4. Wait for it to finish.
    5. I would highly recommend another program called Raxco PerfectDisk or Diskeeper - much better than the built in defrag tool, and quicker, FYI.

    If you need more help if this doesn't fix it, let us know.
    Chris
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 544
    Windows 10 Home, 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks, chrisf8657. CHKDSK is OK, and I recently defragged the hard disk. When I try to start Windows Search service, though, I get "Error 5: Access is denied." My account is the administrator's. Any idea what's going on here? Thanks again.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Windows Explorer Slow Sort-search-service.png  
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 544
    Windows 10 Home, 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Problem solved! In the Start search box, I typed "Search." And one of the options was what appears to be a troubleshooter. I clicked on it, and followed the prompts. Windows automatically solved my problem with searching and indexing. Apparently, I had problems with permissions.

    Slow sorting, which led me to looking into searching and i
    ndexing, is now blazingly fast.

    I'm mentioning this because in all my searching similar items in Sevenforums, I did not come upon this option--letting Windows solve the problem. I'm sure it's there somewhere, but I just didn't find it.


    Could be a viable option for others with my problem, and for other problems for which there are built-in troubleshooters.


    I'm now a very happy camper.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Windows Explorer Slow Sort-search.png  
    Last edited by gogreen; 19 Apr 2012 at 13:58.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 47
    win 7 64 ultimate
       #5

    Thanks again but these do not appear to apply. Here's why:
    • Sorts in Explorer are fast
    • My Windows Search service can't be turned on
    • I get Error 2, not Error 5
    • Chkdsk returns no errors
    • Defrag runs fine
    • In Explorer, when I type a search term in the upper right hand box, the search does run. But as stated above, Windows Search service can't be turned on and none of the Advanced features are available. And, in Outlook 2010, entering a term in the Search Inbox search field results in an endless loop search that never finishes and produces no results.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 544
    Windows 10 Home, 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    hxl7: Did you try the troubleshooter? My problem with slow sorts and slow searches was that ownership, and therefore, permissions, of the affected files was incorrect. The troubleshooter fixed that automatically for me. Do try it if you haven't already!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 47
    win 7 64 ultimate
       #7

    Thank you very much for the reply.
    Yes, I used the troubleshooter but it could not fix the problem.

    It only stated Windows Search was not turned on and the permissions on the search folders was improper.

    However, I can't find the folders in question.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 544
    Windows 10 Home, 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Turn Windows Search on, if you haven't tried that.

    Here are chrisf8657's instructions (see post, above):

    Step 1. Check the Windows Search Service is running

    1. Click Start
    2. Click Control Panel
    3. Click Administrative Tools
    4. Click Services
    5. Find the Service called "Windows Search"
    6. Make sure it is running, and set to Automatic.
    7. If not, start it and change the Startup Type to "Automatic."
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 47
    win 7 64 ultimate
       #9

    This is my main problem: I can't get Windows Search service to start.
    Thank you.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 544
    Windows 10 Home, 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Have you become familiar with this? Take Ownership Shortcut
      My Computer


 
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