Windows 7 – Explorer folder slow to sort by date

Problem

When changing the order of a folder (for example, from ‘Name’ to ‘Date’) Windows Explorer takes an excessive amount of time (up to a minute) to update the folder list.

Whilst waiting the address bar has a green progress bar slowly loading.

Windows7-OrderSlow1

Solution

To resolve, change the folder type to ‘General Items’ this can be done by:

  1. Right-click in a blank area of the folder
  2. Select ‘Properties’
  3. Windows7-OrderSlow2
  4. Select the ‘Customize’ tab
  5. Under ‘Optimize this folder for:’ select ‘General Items’
  6. Windows7-OrderSlow3
  7. Click ‘OK’ to save the changes.