Large .docx file on a Network Share makes Explorer freeze in Windows

In today’s post, we will identify the cause and then provide the workaround to the issue of File Explorer stops responding if you have a large .docx (Word) file on a network share in Windows 11/10.

Let’s examine a typical scenario in which you can encounter this issue. You have a large Microsoft Word .docx file stored in a network-shared folder, and Word is running in the background. You open a new File Explorer window and set Windows to display recent folders in Quick Access.

In this scenario, File Explorer stops responding for some time and then recovers. The duration of inactivity depends on the size of the .docx file, the content of the “recent files” list, and network latency.

According to Microsoft, this issue occurs because File Explorer invokes the Microsoft Office Shell Extension to query for detailed information about the files in the “recent files” list. However, depending on network latency, Windows may receive requests to renew the content in the Quick access area while the Office Shell Extension is still querying the file contents. This causes File Explorer to restart the query.

This extended activity can cause the File Explorer window to appear to freeze. This is especially true if the operation is prolonged by repeated queries of large files posted on the network.

Fix Unresponsive Explorer due to large Word file on Network share

To work around this issue, use either of the following two methods.

1] Make File Explorer open to “This PC”

You can make File Explorer open to This PC.

This setting can also be changed by creating and configuring the following Registry key:

launchTo=dword:00000001

Before you begin, since this is a registry operation, it is recommended that you back up the registry or create a system restore point in case the procedure goes wrong. Once you have taken the necessary precautionary measures, you can proceed as follows:

• Navigate or jump to the registry key below:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

• Then right-click on an empty space on the right pane.
• Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Name the key launchTo.
• Double-click the newly created key and set the Value data to 1.
• Click OK.

2] Hide recent files and folders in “Quick access”

You can disable Quick Access. This setting can also be changed by creating and configuring the following Registry key:

ShowRecent=dword:00000000

Be sure to back up the registry or create a system restore point as described above and then proceed as follows:

• Navigate or jump to the registry key below:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

• Then right-click on an empty space on the right pane.
• Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Name the key ShowRecent.
• Double-click the newly created key and set the Value data to 0.
• Click OK.

And that’s it! I hope this resolves the unresponsive File Explorer issue for you.