Windows 11 File Explorer is your reliable companion for navigating files and folders on your PC. However, if you’ve been experiencing sluggishness or freezing, this guide provides a comprehensive set of solutions to tackle the issue head-on. Numerous factors can contribute to the slowdown of File Explorer in Windows 11. These may include dead network links, conflicting third-party programs, system file corruption, or synchronization issues with cloud services like OneDrive. Please see: How To Add Google Drive To File Explorer in Windows, Fix File Explorer thumbnails issue on Windows 11.
Please see these related guides: How to reset folder view settings on File Explorer for Windows 11 and 10, Change the default start page for File Explorer on Windows 11, How to Remove Frequently Used Folders from Quick Access in Windows 11.
Method 1: Restart File Explorer
If File Explorer has crashed or become unresponsive, a simple restart might do the trick.
Press Ctrl + Shift + ESC keys simultaneously to open the Task Manager.
Navigate to the Processes tab, locate Windows Explorer, and right-click to select Restart.
Method 2: Check for Windows Updates
Ensure your system is up to date to rule out any potential compatibility issues.
Press the “Windows + R” keys to open the Run utility. Type “control update” and press OK or Enter to open the “Windows Update” page.
Click “Check for updates” and if updates are available, download and install them.
Reboot your PC and assess if the problem persists.
Please see How to update Windows Applications with Norton Updater, Process Explorer: Replace built-in Task Manager, How to use the Process Explorer from SysInternals Tools, and How to Fix Microsoft Edge Not Responding on Windows 11.
Method 3: Disable Startup Programs
Background applications, especially cloud syncing services, can hamper File Explorer’s performance.
Right click on the Windows taskbar and select Task Manager.
Open the taskbar menu and select “Startup apps.”
Disable any non-essential or unknown programs.
Reboot your PC and monitor File Explorer’s responsiveness.
Method 4: Disable Non-Microsoft Services (Clean Boot)
Third-party services may also be causing slowdowns. Press Windows + R to open the ‘Run’ command box. Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
Navigate to the Services tab, click “Hide all Microsoft services,” and then click “Disable all” to deactivate all remaining services.
Reboot your PC and observe File Explorer’s performance. If you notice an improvement, it’s likely that one of the services was causing the issue.
To identify the culprit, reenable the services one at a time and restart your PC after each re-enablement. This will help you isolate the rogue service that’s causing the freezes.
Once you’ve identified the problematic service, simply disable it to prevent future freezes. If the issue continues, go to the ‘General’ tab, select Normal Startup, restart your PC, and proceed to the next method.
Method 5: Remove Map Network Links
Obsolete network links in the “This PC” area or Quick Access menu can lead to delays.
Under the Quick Access menu, right click on any inactive network locations and select “Delete” to remove the link.
You should notice an instant improvement in performance, or simply restart File Explorer to verify if the issue persists.
Method 6: Reset Quick Access Links to Default
Resetting Quick Access can resolve lingering issues.
Press Windows + R to open the “Run” command box. Enter the following folders:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations 
Delete all contents within these folder.
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations 
Delete all contents within these folder.
Restart File Explorer to assess improvements.
Method 7: Repair Windows System Files
Corrupted system files can hinder File Explorer’s performance.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run the commands following commands:
Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
SFC /SCANNOW
Reboot your PC and check if the issue persists.
Method 8: Check Hard Disk for Problems
Disk errors or hardware issues may be contributing to the slowdown.
Use utilities like CrystalDiskInfo to check disk health. Please see How to check Hard Drive Health (SMART) in Windows.
Run CHKDSK utility to repair disk errors.
Reboot your PC and verify if File Explorer operates smoothly.
By following these methods, you can easily fix the sluggishness plaguing your Windows 11 File Explorer experience.
I hope you found this article useful on how to fix Windows 11 File Explorer lags and freezes issue. Please feel free to leave a comment below.