Slow progress bar in Windows Explorer folders (like downloads folder)

How to Fix Slow Loading Folders in Windows 7

To clarify, the load-delay can be seen in the directory box as a green progress bar that fills from left to right. Depending on how many files you have in a folder, this can take several minutes or even hours to load.

Locate the folder that is exhibiting the problem.  The easiest way to do this is to be in a directory one level higher than the folder with the issue.  Now Click the folder, ClickOrganize and Click Properties.

In the properties window, Click the Customize tab.  Under the “Optimize this folder for: drop-down menu, Select General Items.

Once you’ve done that, Click OK to save changes.