So it might be a good idea to open it and delete or archive the files that you no longer require and this shall make the folder clear up some of the memory and hence make it faster to open the Downloads folder. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. This fills up the folder and makes it slow to open. When I click the File Explorer in the Task Bar, windows explorer kind of resets itself and does not open any folder, the same happens in I use the shortcut Windowskey+E. With the passage of time it gets filled with files that are so old and outdated and that we don’t want to use anymore. The downloads folder is one of the most widely used folders of your computer. Also check the settings “ Also apply this template to all subfolders”and click apply and then OK.In the Optimize this folder settings, set it to General items.Right click on the Downloads folder and select Properties.Check for updates Select the Start button > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. This is changed in the Downloads folder properties. Here are some things to try if File Explorer wont open. To fix this, we need to change the folder type to “General items”, so that Windows does not consider it a pictures folder and opens up quickly. This happens because Windows will try to create thumbnails for the media by default which are in the Downloads folder even if none of them are media files. Sometimes Windows automatically sets it to “Pictures” even though not all the files are pictures. But in case of a downloads folder there are random files of all types.

When we make a folder and add items in it, depending upon the type of items in that folder Windows automatically sets its type to pictures, media, music etc. 3 Change View Settings Change Downloads folder classification

Windows 8 file explorer not responding