Web Folders runs slow on Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista
When using Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista to access Web Folders you may experience longer than expected delays when:
- Opening a Web Folder
- Copying files to or from a Web Folder
- Changing from one folder to another in the Web Folder
If there is no proxy server required for your LAN, de-select Automatically detect settings in the LAN Settings for Internet Explorer:
- Start Internet Explorer.
- Click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
- Click the Connections tab, and then click LAN Settings.
- De-select Automatically detect settings.
- Click OK.
Close the Web Folder if it is open, then re-open it to confirm improved response time.
Technical details:
What causes the problem is when the Microsoft WebClient issues a Web Folder/WebDAV command, it checks for a web proxy server before issuing each command. When Auto-Proxy detection is enabled and there is no proxy server in the environment between the client and Web Folder/WebDAV server (My Docs Online, for example), WebClient waits for the timeout of Auto-Proxy detection. Command completion will take longer due the wait for the Auto-Proxy detection timeout.
Another Web Folder issue with Windows that causes slow response is the building of thumbnails for files in folders. This can be turned off:
- Open the Control Panel
- Select Folder Options, then the View tab
- Check the option “Always show icons, never thumbnails” and apply, as shown here:
