Solved Lots of files in a Folder - is it supposed to be slow?

[bluby]

I have a folder that is 1.2Gb, these are all small files amounting to that total. Over 200,000 files.

When I browse in Windows Explorer it takes a really long time to display the contents. Is this normal? Is there a way to speed this up from now on?

Thanks!

 

[Berton]

Yes, it usually is normal as Windows has to read the Folder to determine then display the files in it. The easiest way I've found [and it will take awhile to accomplish] if you have files of different subjects is to create subFolders by category then move appropriate files into each one.

 

[bluby]

Yes, it usually is normal as Windows has to read the Folder to determine then display the files in it. The easiest way I've found [and it will take awhile to accomplish] if you have files of different subjects is to create subFolders by category then move appropriate files into each one.

We would never do that because this folder is data for a FoxPro program. We can't just move files around.

 

[oneeyed]

When accessing a folder, Explorer has to retrieve information on every file inside (metadata, thumbnail, icon, etc..). This can take a long time when you have lots of files. Even worse, this kind of process can wake your AV which will in turn examine each file.

The main solution is to limit what Explorer has to retrieve.
Use the simplest view layout, I recommend Detailed. This way Explorer won't have to check for icons or even worse build thumbnails.
More info : http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...rangement-change-windows-explorer-window.html
Limit the columns shown to only the strictly necessary.
More info : http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/102884-windows-explorer-columns-add-remove.html
Name/Type/Filesize are the safest to leave as is. Most of the rest are Metadata and take more time to retrieve.
The Sorting on some columns can also slow things down extremely (for example sort on Date can be very slow) so try and sort on other columns.
More info: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3952-file-folder-arrangement-group-sort-arrange.html

If things are still too slow, then you'll have to better organize this folder by creating subfolders and moving files in them.

There may also be alternatives to Explorer that handle large folders better, but in my experience from the ones I checked, their performances in this kind of situtation is very similar. Still it might be something to check if you can't bother creating subfolders.
A few links that might help for Explorer alternatives :
The Best Alternative File Browser for Windows
17 Windows Explorer Extensions & Replacements

 

[bluby]

When accessing a folder, Explorer has to retrieve information on every file inside (metadata, thumbnail, icon, etc..). This can take a long time when you have lots of files. Even worse, this kind of process can wake your AV which will in turn examine each file.

The main solution is to limit what Explorer has to retrieve. Use the simplest view layout, I recommend Detailed. This way Explorer won't have to check for icons or even worse build thumbnails. Limit the columns shown to only the strictly necessary : Right-click on columns > Uncheck Columns you don't want. Name/Type/Filesize are the safest to leave as is. Most of the rest are Metadata and take more time to retrieve. The Sorting on some columns can also slow things down extremely (for example sort on Date can be very slow) so try and sort on other columns.

If things are still too slow, then you'll have to better organize this folder by creating subfolders and moving files in them.

There may also be alternatives to Explorer that handle large folders better, but in my experience from the ones I checked, their performances in this kind of situtation is very similar. Still it might be something to check if you can't bother creating subfolders.
A few links that might help for Explorer alternatives :
The Best Alternative File Browser for Windows
17 Windows Explorer Extensions & Replacements

Well this is just something that is more of a pain in the behind, it's not part of the problem because the live environment works very fast. Nobody ever has to browse that folder. I just thought it might be worth mentioning for troubleshooting sake.