File Folder Creation Takes Several Minutes or Freezes and Crashes

So you’re running Windows 10 and are accessing file and folder shares over your network.  You would think creating a new folder would be a simple task but then you find your computer freezes for several minutes when simply creating a new folder. On all other occasions, the windows explorer locks down, and the cursor is left after the last letter entered in the new folder name. The folder gets a time stamp immediately, but it takes 2-3 minutes before it locks up and you can continue to work.  We have also noted this behavior on local drives (C: and D:).

We found creating a folder using command prompt works immediately.  (md c:\TMD results in a folder named TMD on the c drive with no hesitation)

If you have been frustrated with this issue you’re not alone!  After spending countless hours troubleshooting this issue and doing everything from removing antivirus and malware protection to disabling offline files and search indexing it appears to be a Microsoft bug.  In an update posted 1/26/2017 which we didn’t see it directly reference this issue but after install the delay was gone.  see here

Symptoms:  On the problematic computer, when trying to create a new folder in Windows Explorer on a network file share, there is a long delay anywhere from a 1-3 minutes before the folder is created.  The delay locks the Windows Explorer window completely and occasionally will generate an error.  We have seen this folder creation issue on multiple brand new out of the box machines running Windows 10 build 1607 (Anniversary Edition).

The Fix: You can find the fix on Microsoft’s Update Catalog (KB32116755)

If this was helpful please let us know!

3 Tips to Help Acclimate to Windows 10

windows-10-logoHere are 3 Quick Tips to help navigate Windows 10, without losing productivity:

1. The Start Menu

For you Windows 7 users, rest easy, because this is here to stay. For the Windows 8 users, the start menu is back with its full functionality – and then some. The aesthetics of the new start menu combine the basics of the start menu from Windows 7 with the sleek tiles that were a part of Windows 8. The customization of this helps you to access what you need much faster and boosts productivity. Open the Start Menu, click on Settings, Personalization, and then Start. Make the Start Menu work for you.

2. Microsoft Edge

Although this is the new web browser, do not worry – Internet Explorer 11 will be available by default in your upgrade. It is worth noting that many business applications remain untested with Microsoft Edge. If you find that Microsoft Edge is popping up as your default browser, this article will help you with that. Remember that super awesome Start Menu we spoke about above? Click in the search bar right next to it, and type “Default Programs.” Open that up, find Internet Explorer on the left, and click on it. There will now be an option to click that states “Set this program as default.”

3. Search Enhancements

Find anything on your PC. No, really. On the bottom left, to the right of the Start Menu, type a term in that search box. If it doesn’t automatically populate, click on the “My Stuff” icon on the bottom of that pop-up window. Your machine will be scanned for files, applications, pictures – just about anything – containing any or all of that search term within that file name. Don’t catch yourself drilling down through menus trying to find something. Don’t waste your time digging and trying to find that one file you thought you’d never need again. Use this search function to help save time.

www.TMDTechnology.com

Here are five reasons you might want to hold off a Windows 10 upgrade

Windows-10-LogoWindows 10 is just about here and many users are ready to ditch windows 7 or 8 and upgrade.  Here are five reasons you might want to hold off a Windows 10 upgrade.

  1. Your system hardware doesn’t support it

This is pretty obvious, but you need to really consider your SPECs. In order to run Windows 10, you need a PC or tablet with a 1GHz processor or faster, 1GB of RAM for 32-bit machines or 2GB for 64-bit machines, 16GB hard disk space for 32-bit machines or 20GB hard disk space for 64-bit machines, a DirectX 9 or later graphics card with a WDDM 1.0 driver and an 800 x 600 display or better. If your system doesn’t meet the SPEC then you’re going to have to upgrade your hardware before you upgrade your operating system. If this is the case it is probably more economical to just buy a new computer with Windows 10 already installed.

  1. You’re using Windows 7

Windows 10 corrects many of the issues in Windows 8, an operating system that was built more for touch devices than Desktop PCs. Two of Windows 10’s big improvements over Windows 8 are the addition of a Windows 7-style Start menu and the ability to work entirely on the desktop and ignore the touch-focused (Metro) Start screen.  If you currently use Windows 7 then you have a Start menu and work only on the desktop. If you’re happy with the way Windows 7 works, we would probably tell you to stay with it.

  1. Security updates for Windows 7 and Windows 8 are still available

Microsoft has a habit of pushing people to its latest operating system by ending support for its old operating systems, halting security updates and leaving users potentially open to security threats. If you have Windows 7 or Windows 8, you’ve got years before that happens. Microsoft will keep issuing security patches for Windows 7 until January 2020 and for Windows 8 until January 2023. So there is no need to rush if security updates are your concern.

  1. You have old printers or other peripherals

Many new operating systems are not designed to work with older peripherals, such as printers and scanners. Microsoft doesn’t always make sure that drivers for older devices work with their newest operating system. It simply takes too many development resources to try to ensure all devices work. As a result, some of these peripherals won’t work with Windows 10.

  1. Live on the cutting edge not the bleeding edge.

Beta testing a new operating system never uncovers all the bugs and gotchas that people are going to encounter. A new operating system hasn’t been tested on every possible piece of hardware, with every piece of software, and with every hardware/software combination. People who upgrade immediately are the guinea pigs and often the ones that get burned.  We suggest you wait another six months before you upgrade.

Don’t worry about missed opportunity….Qualified Windows 7 and 8 users get a free upgrade to Windows 10 and you have a full year from release (July 29, 2015.) so you can upgrade at your convenience.

Call today to discuss how windows 10 may fit your organization.

www.TMDTechnology.com