Explorer.exe High CPU usage when opening/closing folders


Recommended Posts

Hello let me first say thanks for any help with this problem. Ive had this problem for about 2 weeks now and have been trying to fix it for awhile now.

Whenever I open a folder on my desktop explorer jumps to 25% and the folder takes roughly 30 seconds to open. Whenever I try closing the folder it takes about 10 seconds to close.

My system specs are:

OS=Vista x64

HDD=1 TB Seagate Barracuda

RAM= 4GB Corsair Dominator

CPU= 3.0GHz Q6600 Quad Core

Ive tested this by creating an empty folder on the desktop so that there are no directories in it and then opening the folder.

Other files on the desktop work fine such as text documents and .exe files. I ran process explorer and under the threads tab there are two things that take up CPU

SHLWAPI.dll and BROWSEUI.dll ive been unable to fix this issue so any help is appreciated.

Ive tried turning hard drive inexing on and off both didnt help.

Hello let me first say thanks for any help with this problem. Ive had this problem for about 2 weeks now and have been trying to fix it for awhile now.

Whenever I open a folder on my desktop explorer jumps to 25% and the folder takes roughly 30 seconds to open. Whenever I try closing the folder it takes about 10 seconds to close.

My system specs are:

OS=Vista x64

HDD=1 TB Seagate Barracuda

RAM= 4GB Corsair Dominator

CPU= 3.0GHz Q6600 Quad Core

Ive tested this by creating an empty folder on the desktop so that there are no directories in it and then opening the folder.

Other files on the desktop work fine such as text documents and .exe files. I ran process explorer and under the threads tab there are two things that take up CPU

SHLWAPI.dll and BROWSEUI.dll ive been unable to fix this issue so any help is appreciated.

Ive tried turning hard drive inexing on and off both didnt help.

What else do you have installed? It could be security software causing the issue or even a bad shell extension.

Thanks for the reply. I am using Kaspersky internet security 2010. When I pause the program the problem still exists. My normal processes are running and i have no other applications running. Next I will try and see if it will happen in safe mode.

Ok so I have done some digging and decided to sue process explorer to find out more info. Process explorer confirms that explorer.exe is the problem and then i look at teh threads that explorer has running. while opening a file 2 threads cause the issue. SHLWAPI.dll uses high CPU first then when a window appears for the opened folder BROWSEUI.dll uses high CPU this whole process takes about 30 seconds and then returns to normal usage. If you need it i can post the stack info for these 2 threads.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Since they open sourced the calculator in Win 10/11 it is much better and can do a lot, I love it.
    • That's just silly imo. The lengths that man goes to just to avoid W11 is just nuts. Very, very few home users would do that. I will say this though, he is committed. Btw, I note on askwoody that Woody Leonhard passed away March, 2025 aged 73. His site was one of my favorites back in the day. Belated yes but RIP Woody.
    • Because of the EU (a good thing) newer android devices been getting 5 years worth of security patches. Except some Motorola which found the loop hole, and offer ZERO updates. In addition, Google for years have been making where it can patch some stuff by updating the core Google Play Store itself.  As echoed earlier,  you take the security risk in to your own hand beyond supported.
    • Win11Debloat 06.11.2026 by Razvan Serea Win11Debloat is a lightweight, easy to use PowerShell script that allows you to quickly declutter and customize your Windows experience. It can remove pre-installed bloatware apps, disable telemetry, remove intrusive interface elements and much more. The script also includes many features that system administrators and power users will enjoy. Such as a powerful command-line interface, support for Windows Audit mode and the option to make changes to other Windows users. All changes made by Win11Debloat can be easily reversed, and most removed apps can be restored via the Microsoft Store. A full guide on how to undo the changes is available here. Win11Debloat features: Below is an overview of the key features and functionality offered by Win11Debloat. Please refer to the wiki for more information about the default settings preset. Remove a wide variety of preinstalled apps. Click here for more info. Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking & targeted ads. Disable tips, tricks, suggestions & ads across Windows. Disable Windows location services & app location access. Disable Find My Device location tracking. Disable 'Windows Spotlight' and tips & tricks on the lock screen. Disable 'Windows Spotlight' desktop background option. Disable ads, suggestions and the MSN news feed in Microsoft Edge. Hide Microsoft 365 ads on the Settings 'Home' page, or hide the 'Home' page entirely. Disable & remove Microsoft Copilot. Disable Windows Recall. Disable Click to Do, AI text & image analysis tool. Prevent AI service (WSAIFabricSvc) from starting automatically. Disable AI Features in Edge. Disable AI Features in Paint. Disable AI Features in Notepad. Disable the Drag Tray for sharing & moving files. Restore the old Windows 10 style context menu. Turn off Enhance Pointer Precision, also known as mouse acceleration. Disable the Sticky Keys keyboard shortcut. Disable Storage Sense automatic disk cleanup. Disable fast start-up to ensure a full shutdown. ...and more. Once you’ve downloaded the Win11Debloat file (Get.ps1), just follow these quick steps: Locate the Get.ps1 script file. Right-click the file and select Run with PowerShell from the context menu. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), select Yes to grant the script the necessary administrative permissions. Win11Debloat 06.11.2026 fixes: Fix lock screen spotlight option being disabled when disabling the start recommended section by @Raphire in #619 Fix log message formatting by @Raphire Note The -RemoveCommApps and -RemoveW11Outlook command-line parameters for uninstalling a few specific apps have been removed with this release. If you previously relied on these parameters, please see this wiki page for alternative methods of removing these apps. Download: Win11Debloat 06.11.2026 | Open Source View: Win11Debloat Home Page | Screenshots 1| 2 Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
  • Recent Achievements

    • Rookie
      restore went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Very Popular
      AndrewSteel earned a badge
      Very Popular
    • Veteran
      Taliseian went up a rank
      Veteran
    • One Month Later
      Clizby earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      Timaximus earned a badge
      One Month Later
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      499
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      162
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      153
    4. 4
      ATLien_0
      83
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      79
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!