Solved Downloads folder takes too long to open

[j9lemmon]

When I download an email attachment, my Downloads folder used to open up instantly. Now it takes about 5 minutes to open. There is a green progress bar at the top that takes about 2 minutes to finish, then it just sits for another 3 minutes, then displays the files and folders within the Downloads folder.
I wonder if it's my McAfee anti-virus, or perhaps there are too many files in my Downloads folder (8gb currently).
Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[koolkat77]

I wonder if it's my McAfee anti-virus, or perhaps there are too many files in my Downloads folder (8gb currently).

Welcome to the forum j9lemmon,

Yes, have you tried freeing up some space in the downloads folder?

Let us know.

 

[Ztruker]

I'd say it's the size of the folder. Get rid of stuff you don't need and move older stuff to other folders.

As a test, rename downloads to downloads-old.
Create a new downloads folder.
Test ...

 

[whs]

I would make a new empty folder and download to that - or move all the download stuff there.

 

[Layback Bear]

Just a though if I may.
How full is the hard drive?

 

[AddRAM]

Close it then re open it, does it open fast now ?

I see this happen all the time with Windows 7.

 

[gregrocker]

MucAfee is the worst program you can install on your PC, as bad as being infected.

Whenever we see strange problems like this, the solution is always to uninstall MucAfee and install the recommended free, lightweight AV Microsoft Security Essentials. This used in concert with Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware on-demand scanners it perfectly adequate. If one gets infected then consider MBAM real time protection which stops all chronic infection that I've ever seen.

You'll need to run the special uninstaller to clean up after the Muc: Uninstallers (removal tools) for common antivirus software - ESET Knowledgebase

Then I'd run SFC /SCANNOW Command to see if it damaged System Files.

 

[j9lemmon]

Thanks for all the great answers; all were great, but I went with creating a new folder.
I agree about McAfee. When my subscription ends soon I plan to replace it with Avast, which worked well on my XP machine.

 

[gregrocker]

MSE is better. As Avast has bloated up it has stopped being co-recommended here where we know Win7 best. These recommendations are based on the problems we see an AV cause, performance more than efficacy.

When a user is chronically infected I recommend MBAM Real Time protection and have never seen it recur.

 

[j9lemmon]

Thanks gregrocker.
One reason I prefer Avast is that it has a site checker that works in Chrome. I assume it's important to avoid visiting dangerous websites, so I really want some method to show which sites are dangerous.

As far as I can tell MSE doesn't offer that for Chrome. Am I missing something?

 

[gregrocker]

That goes to specialized uses which you have and Avast may suit those better since I don't know that MSE does that and doubt it. I look at overall performance of the OS and problems we see here caused by AV's.

You might want to take a look at MBAM even if you don't need to buy it due to chronic infection which it cures 100% that I've seen. Now when I hear from previous Typhoid Mary's or Harry's its not to clean up infection but rather because MBAM is blocking something they are trying to infect themselves with.

 

[Layback Bear]

Could it be j9lemmon has security programs set to scan any email attachments before opening?

I don't know if we have any McAfee users on this forum to be able to help other than removing McAfee.

j9lemmon I use Microsoft Security Essential and Malwarebyte Anti Malware PRO. They work well together. One still must keep their wits about them on what they tick on.
No security program will take the place of the owner/operator of the computer.