Windows File Explorer stuck on ‘Working on it…’ message

[The AchieVer]

Windows File Explorer stuck on ‘Working on it…’ message

 

The Windows File Explorer is one of the most useful utilities on a computer running Windows 10. It is one of the most feature-loaded File Managers out there on all the platforms. But the main issue is when you are trying to open a location on the File Explorer, and it shows up Working on it… while it loads the content of that folder. It mostly occurs to the computers that are running on an HDD. But that does not mean that it can not happen on computers running an SDD.

If your Windows 10 File Explorer is slow or often stuck on ‘Working on it..’ message with the green animation bar moving very slowly while loading the contents here is what you need to do to fix the issue.

Windows 10 File Explorer stuck on Working on it…

We will be undertaking the following fixes to resolve the issue:

1. Using System Restore.
2. Delete the contents of the Automatic Destinations folder.
3. Rebuilding the Search Index.
4. Optimizing the folder for General Items.

1] Using System Restore

If you tend to create a System Restore point usually, you can try to undo any modifications on your computer, by performing System Restore.

2] Delete the contents of the Automatic Destinations folder

Hit the WINKEY + R button combination to launch the Run utility, type the following location and hit Enter:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations

Once the location opens in the File Explorer, just select all the files in there and hit the Shift + Delete button combination on your keyboard.

You will now get a prompt asking if you want to delete all the files permanently. Click on Yes.

This will now delete all the Quick Access cache; Now you can check if that fixed your error.

 

3] Rebuild the Search Index

 

Open Indexing Options using the Search bar.

Click on the appropriate listing – say the Users folder. Now, click on the button called as Advanced.

A new mini-sized window will pop up. Make sure that you are under the tab that is labeled as Index Settings.

 

 

Under the section of Troubleshooting, click on the option called as Rebuild and click OK once the rebuilding is completed.

This will rebuild the search index for all the files.

 

4] Optimize the folder for General Items

To make Explorer load contents faster, right click on the folder that takes time to load and shows the message of Working on it…

Now click on Properties. It will open the Properties mini window. Navigate to the tab called Customize.

Under the section of What kind of folder do you want?, click on the drop down to Optimize this folder for, and select General Items.

 

Also, check the box that says Also apply this template to all subfolders. Finally, click on OK.

 

Restart the File Explorer and check if that fixes your issue.

 

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