Windows 11 is known for its sluggish File Explorer, with users encountering issues such as unresponsive commands, random crashes, and erratic functionality. This is partly why Windows 10, despite being out of support, retains over 30% share of the desktop Windows market by version. However, there’s an easy solution to enhance the speed of your Windows File Explorer, with minimal drawbacks.
Since the era of Windows XP, Microsoft has integrated a feature that automatically scans folders, assesses files, and determines a viewing format. This feature is known as “Automatic Folder Type Discovery.” For folders filled with audio files, it selects that template, and for image files, it changes to the Picture view type. While this assists in organizing the folder more effectively, it should definitely be listed among the reasons why Windows 11 may slow down your computer. Additionally, this scanning process isn’t just a one-time event. Windows may check the folder each time it’s opened, and a extensive number of files can lead to noticeable lag. To prevent this, you can turn off Folder Type Discovery.