Solved Creating New Folder - Very Long Wait Time

[sgitlin]

I found the below problem on another forum and it explains the problem probably better than I could. I have the exact same problem as described, 30 seconds to a minute to create a new folder in Windows 7 Explorer, and then the same thing again after entering the name of the folder. I've also had the 'Refresh' problem described below. I have not tried using Command Line. All updates are installed. I'm running an HP Pavilion p6230f with Windows 7 x64, and 8 GB of RAM.

Any idea why this is happening?

Stew

I've been experiencing this very annoying behavior for awhile now where Explorer will hang for several seconds (sometimes as much as a minute or two) when creating new folders, renaming existing folders, and copying/moving files into a new folder. I noticed that similar issues were reported by a couple of other people, and tried the solutions they suggested (disabling any non-Microsoft shell extensions, disabling Windows Search, disabling AntiVirus, running chkdsk /r), but none of them have helped. Perhaps related to this, Windows Explorer has also been slow to pick up on changes when adding/deleting files in a directory, to the point where it's necessary to manually hit "Refresh" (or go up one level in the filesystem, and then back into the folder) to see the changes.

One other interesting thing I noticed is that these same operations all work normally if I use a command line to do them instead of the Windows Explorer application. From the command line I can create/rename directories and manipulate files just fine, and when I do it that way the changes are picked up in Windows Explorer almost instantly, without me needing to hit "Refresh" or otherwise force them to show up.

System Specs:
Asus G51VX-A1 Laptop
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (BuildLab=7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255), from MSDN
Intel Core2 Quad Q9000
4 GB RAM
80 GB Intel SSD (primary)
320 GB Seagate HDD (secondary)
nVidia GTX 260M graphics (1 GB RAM)
Windows Experience Index - 6.7

I also have several other systems (2 desktops, 1 laptop) that are still running the RC build of Windows 7, and they have never encountered this problem.

 

[Frostmourne]

Can you run sfc /scannow ?

 

[sgitlin]

I'm not familiar with those terms. Can you give me a little more info?

 

[Brink]

Hello Sgitlin, and welcome to Seven Forums.

This tutorial can help show you how to run a sfc /scannow command.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

If that does not help, then a repair install should be able to fix it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[zrtom]

sfc /scannow is a good place to start.
How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7
This is the System File Checker that checks protected system files for integrity, corruption, etc., and verifies their versions. From an elevated command prompt, type just "sfc /scannow" without the quotes. It could take a few minutes to complete. Windows will notify you whether everything is okay or if it corrected any problems.

When you have this problem is it when creating folders, etc. on the System drive or the secondary drive or both? The reason I ask is because if it's the secondary drive, it may have spun down and it sometimes takes a few (to several) seconds for it to spin up and go back online.

If this happens on the SSD, it could be that the SSD is not aligned properly and it's exhibiting misalignment stutter.

And lastly, if it happens on both drives, it could be the IHCR or RAID controller. SSDs have particular preferences with respect to which controller works best (native Windows 7 or AMD in your case). Depending on the Intel model, you may need to try a different driver to get the performance where it belongs.

 

[sgitlin]

I just ran the System File Checker and the result was that it did not find any integrity violations.

The problems occur on both my system hard drive and external hard drive. To give another example of the problem, when moving a file from one folder to another, it apparently moves the file immediately, but the image of the file name will remain in the sending folder for up to a minute before it disappears. It is not actually there, as an attempt to open it in the sending folder after the move, results in the error message that the file could not be found. A 'Refresh', as noted in my initial post, does clear the problem.

Shawn, I have not tried the Install Repair yet, as that seems to require a Windows 7 Installation DVD which I do not have.

 

[Brink]

Sgitlin,

Ok. As a test, create a new administrator account to see if it works ok in it. If it does, you can copy the contents of your old account's user folders into the corresponding new account's user folders to copy over your settings and shortcuts. If everything checks out still, then you can delete the old account from within the new account.

 

[sgitlin]

Brink, I set up a new administrator account, but that didn't seem to solve the problem, but I did a cold restart this morning, and everything seems to working like it should. I have no idea why it got straightened out, I just hope it stays that way. Thanks for your help in trying to solve this problem. Stew

 

[Brink]

Stew,

Strange, but I'm happy that it seems to be sorted out for now.

 

[Kjellie]

An experience

I had the topic with HP service in Norway. The HP tech suggested to use MSCONFIG to turn off all startup and all services and see if the error would come. It was terrible to "work" that way (no Internet f.i. ) so I turned all back on again. Since then, the slow folder and rename has not occurred again. I cross my fingers it does not. By the way, a reboot always removes the problem for a while. Good luck to you.

 

[Frostmourne]

It could be RAM glitches - run Memtest86+ for a couple of passes. Note the info about if you have 4GB or more RAM.

 

[bdfranson]

From another forum - a bug in Windows 7!
Install the Update KB980408 (The April 2010 stability and reliability update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 is available )
This update fixes the following issue:
Windows Explorer may stop responding for 30 seconds when a file or a directory is created or renamed after certain applications are installed.
I think this will solve your issues.
Download:
32Bit:
Download details: Update for Windows 7 (KB980408)
64Bit:
Download details: Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB980408)

 

[shahraeini]

I have this problem and it makes me crazy... I downloaded the patch related to my OS but it said the update is not applicable to your computer ... I really need a solution to solve this damn problem...

 

[Eagleizer]

Slow creating of folders on Desktop + Slow iTunes

This fixed my iTunes after beeing frustrated about iTunes since I changed
to WIN7 x64 2 years ago. I ran this fix today to fix a problem with it taking
15 seconds just to make a folder on the desktop. (folders inside folders was
no problem) The fix I used was this one: MicrosoftFixit.WinFileFolder.Run.exe.
I just ticked all 4 options, and after my PC restarted everything was fine, even
iTunes!! (My icons on the desktop got very big after the fix, but this can be
fixed by right-clicking on the desktop, go to view, and choose "Small icons")
Hope this helps at least some of you!
Cheers!