How to Fix Slow File Explorer and Green Bar in Windows 11

Learn how to fix the slow file explorer and green bar issue in Windows 11 with some easy and effective solutions.

If you are using Windows 11, you may have encountered a problem where the file explorer takes a long time to load and shows a green bar at the top. This can be very frustrating and affect your productivity. In this article, we will explain why this happens and how to fix it with some simple steps.

What Causes the Slow File Explorer and Green Bar Issue?

The slow file explorer and green bar issue can be caused by various factors, such as:

• A large number of files or folders in the directory
• A wrong optimization setting for the folder
• A corrupted or outdated index of the files
• A malfunctioning Windows Search service
• A conflict with a network drive or a removable device
• A bug or a glitch in the file explorer itself

How to Fix the Slow File Explorer and Green Bar Issue?

Depending on the cause of the problem, there are different solutions that you can try to fix the slow file explorer and green bar issue. Here are some of the most common and effective ones:

Solution 1: Disable Windows Search Service

Windows Search service is responsible for indexing the files and folders on your computer and providing fast search results. However, sometimes it can interfere with the file explorer and cause it to load slowly or show a green bar. To disable Windows Search service, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box
2. Type services.msc and click OK to open the Services window
3. Find Windows Search service in the list and double-click on it
4. In the Properties window, set the Startup type to Disabled and click on Stop to stop the service
5. Click on Apply and OK to save the changes
6. Restart your computer and check if the file explorer is faster and the green bar is gone

Solution 2: Change the Optimization Setting for the Folder

Each folder in Windows 11 has an optimization setting that determines how the files and folders are displayed and sorted. Sometimes, a wrong optimization setting can cause the file explorer to load slowly or show a green bar. To change the optimization setting for the folder, follow these steps:

1. Go to the location of the folder that is loading slowly
2. Right-click on the folder and select Properties
3. In the Properties window, go to the Customize tab
4. Under the Optimize this folder for section, select General items from the drop-down menu
5. Check the box that says Also apply this template to all subfolders
6. Click on Apply and OK to save the changes
7. Open the folder and check if the file explorer is faster and the green bar is gone

Solution 3: Restart File Explorer

Sometimes, a simple restart of the file explorer can fix the slow file explorer and green bar issue. To restart the file explorer, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager
2. In the Task Manager window, find File Explorer in the list of processes and right-click on it
3. Select Restart from the context menu
4. Wait for the file explorer to restart and check if the problem is solved

Solution 4: Clear Quick Access History

Quick Access is a feature in Windows 11 that allows you to access your frequently used files and folders with one click. However, sometimes it can also cause the file explorer to load slowly or show a green bar. To clear the Quick Access history, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows key + E to open the File Explorer window
2. In the File Explorer window, on the left-hand side, right-click on Quick Access
3. Select Options from the context menu
4. In the Folder Options window, go to the General tab
5. Under the Privacy section, click on Clear to empty the file explorer history
6. Click on Apply and OK to save the changes
7. Restart your computer and check if the file explorer is faster and the green bar is gone

Solution 5: Delete AutomaticDestinations Folder

AutomaticDestinations is a hidden folder in Windows 11 that stores the jump list data for the file explorer and other applications. Sometimes, this folder can get corrupted or bloated and cause the file explorer to load slowly or show a green bar. To delete the AutomaticDestinations folder, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box
2. Type %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations and click OK to open the folder
3. Select all the files in the folder and press Delete to remove them
4. Restart your computer and check if the file explorer is faster and the green bar is gone

Solution 6: Change the Folder Attributes

Another possible cause of the slow file explorer and green bar issue is the folder attributes. Sometimes, a folder can have a hidden or system attribute that prevents the file explorer from loading it properly. To change the folder attributes, follow these steps:

1. Go to the location of the folder that is loading slowly
2. Right-click on the folder and select Properties
3. In the Properties window, go to the General tab
4. Under the Attributes section, uncheck the boxes that say Hidden and Read-only
5. Click on Apply and OK to save the changes
6. Open the folder and check if the file explorer is faster and the green bar is gone

Solution 7: Reduce the Number of Images in the Folder

If the folder that is loading slowly or showing a green bar contains a lot of images, it can also affect the performance of the file explorer. This is because the file explorer tries to generate thumbnails for each image, which can take a lot of time and resources. To reduce the number of images in the folder, follow these steps:

1. Go to the location of the folder that is loading slowly
2. Select the images that you don’t need or want to move to another location
3. Press Ctrl + X to cut the images
4. Go to another folder where you want to paste the images
5. Press Ctrl + V to paste the images
6. Go back to the original folder and check if the file explorer is faster and the green bar is gone

Solution 8: Disconnect Any Network Drives or Removable Devices

Sometimes, the file explorer can also load slowly or show a green bar if it is trying to access a network drive or a removable device that is not available or has a slow connection. To disconnect any network drives or removable devices, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows key + E to open the File Explorer window
2. In the File Explorer window, on the left-hand side, right-click on any network drive or removable device that you don’t need or use
3. Select Disconnect or Eject from the context menu
4. Repeat the process for any other network drive or removable device that you want to disconnect
5. Restart your computer and check if the file explorer is faster and the green bar is gone

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What is the green bar in file explorer?

Answer: The green bar in file explorer is a progress indicator that shows how much of the folder content has been loaded and displayed. It usually appears when the file explorer is trying to access a large or complex folder, a network drive, or a removable device.

Question: How can I speed up the file explorer in Windows 11?

Answer: There are several ways to speed up the file explorer in Windows 11, such as:

• Disabling Windows Search service
• Changing the optimization setting for the folder
• Restarting file explorer
• Clearing Quick Access history
• Deleting AutomaticDestinations folder
• Changing the folder attributes
• Reducing the number of images in the folder
• Disconnecting any network drives or removable devices

Question: How can I prevent the file explorer from loading slowly or showing a green bar in the future?

Answer: To prevent the file explorer from loading slowly or showing a green bar in the future, you can follow some best practices, such as:

• Keeping your Windows 11 updated and optimized
• Organizing your files and folders in a logical and simple way
• Avoiding storing too many files or folders in one directory
• Using a fast and reliable internet connection for network drives
• Safely removing any removable devices when not in use
• Scanning your computer for viruses and malware regularly

Summary

In this article, we have explained how to fix the slow file explorer and green bar issue in Windows 11 with some easy and effective solutions. We hope that this article has helped you to resolve the problem and improve your file explorer performance. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We are not responsible for any damage or loss that may result from following the instructions or solutions in this article. Please use them at your own risk and discretion.