Takes a long time to show files icons in Windows Explorer

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

I have a similar problem : when i open some directory with explorer or
file/open in applications, I must wait 30/60 seconds.
Now i dont use eplorer any more , I use FreeCommander with only default
icons enabled : very speed.
But the problem inside the applications remains.
Any one knows how to stop CommonDialog to read all the icons (and everything
else) and just show the default (registred) icons ?
It a very big bug.

"John" wrote:

> check disk space & fragmentation. both would slow this process down to a
> crawl. you should have at least 20% of the disk free & defragmented.
> "Tigor" <Tigor@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> newsD61B4C2-6242-4207-B63E-737A5637FB59@microsoft.com...
> Currently using XP Pro, SP2 with P4 3.2, 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD (90% free). While
> using explorer to open a folder and display the files in it, the illustrator
> (ai) files (hundreds of it in one folder) were shown with the
> generic/windows
> system icons first and gradually been transform to the Illustrator files
> icon. The process took so long and made a system in hold/freeze. It happens
> as well when tried open files using File Open in Adobe Illustrator or Design
> in the very same folder and files. I've tried solve it using Display
> Appearance Effect as well as using regedit to modify the value on Max Cached
> Icons in registry but didn't work.
>
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

Thanks for the reply.
But It reallt does not exists any way to stop the various dialogs from
loading all that unusefull informatio?
I dont need it !!!!
I will try all you wrote but not point 2 and 5 : i dont have a MAINFRAME but
just a base notebook and i dont want to overload it with informations i dont
need.
Remember that freeCommander goes very speed.
I dont think it is a drivers problem : i have the same situation at work (a
pc configured and mantained by professionals) but i will check.
Again thanks.
I need some time to do all that work but i will let you know the results.
Hy.

"Claude LaFrenière" wrote:

> Hi *LukeIt* :
>
> > I have a similar problem : when i open some directory with explorer or
> > file/open in applications, I must wait 30/60 seconds.
> > Now i dont use eplorer any more , I use FreeCommander with only default
> > icons enabled : very speed.
> > But the problem inside the applications remains.
> > Any one knows how to stop CommonDialog to read all the icons (and everything
> > else) and just show the default (registred) icons ?
> > It a very big bug.
>
> Try this :
>
> 1- Icon cache may be corrupted : delete it and Windows will recreate it at new boot :
>
> Local Setting and IconCache.db are hidden : set the explorer to see hidden
> files in File Options | Display tab | show hidden folder and files...
>
> and delete IconCache.db:
>
> C:\Documents and Settings\"User Name"\Local Settings\Application Data\IconCache.db
>
> 2- Set the maximum cached icons(default is 500)
>
> HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer
>
> Max Cached Icons
> Reg_SZ
> value can be set from 100 to 4096
> Try with 2000
>
> If this key do not exist created it.
>
> 3- Set explorer to use à different process (multi-threads):
>
> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
> Create this key:
>
> DesktopProcess
> Reg_DWord
> value 1
>
> 4- Change the Windows priority separation :
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl
> Create this key :
>
> Win32PrioritySeparation
> Reg_DWord
> Value 26 in HEX
>
> 5- Number of memorized folders setup : default is 400.
> Set it to 2000
>
> Remark : Tweak UI 2.10 for W xp and W 2003 have this option but there is a
> bug in the file names of the values.They do nothings ... ;-)
>
> Use this .reg to fix the problem :
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------- cut here----------------------------------------------------
> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>
> [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU]
> [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]
>
> [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell]
> "BagMRU Size"=dword:000007D0
>
> [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam]
> "BagMRU Size"=dword:000007D0
>
> [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
> "NoSaveSettings"=dword:00000000
>
> -------------------------------------------------------- cut here----------------------------------------------------------
>
> Also:
> A good maintenance of W xp is required from time to time.
>
> Here some hints:
>
> 1- Use chkdsk to check the integrity of your hard disk:
>
> Windows explorer | right click on disk icon |
> properties | tab "tools" | "check errors" | check both options
> ok and restart your computer
>
> or
>
> Start | Run | cmd | chkdsk X: /F /R /V ,
> Where X= disk volume
>
> For the results un applications log:
> Souce : Winlogon
> ID : 1001
>
> 2) Clean the temporary files:
>
> Start | Run | cleanmgr.exe
>
> 3) Defrag the volumes of the HD :
>
> Start | Run | Defrag.msc
>
> For multiple volume defrag use this:
> http://www.dougknox.com/utility/sc [...] ag_all.htm
>
> 4) Check devices and drivers and upgrade them if needed
>
> Start | Run | devmgmt.msc
>
> a)
> Devices error codes:
> http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=310123
>
> b)
> To find recent drivers
>
> www.driverfiles.net [In Eng.]
> or
> [in Fr.]
> www.eu.microsoft.com/france/telech [...] efault.asp
> www.touslesdrivers.com
> www.clubic.com/pilotes.html
>
> 5) Check the services configuration:
>
> The mandatories services must be started and in automatic mode
> The others in manual...or disabled....
>
> More info on W xp services:
> http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
>
> 6) Check the applications started at boot and keep them
> to the minimum.
>
> instead of using msconfig used Starter from CodeStuff...
> http://codestuff.mirrorz.com/
>
> Check for applications in your account and All users
> (from an admin account...)
>
> 7) Control what's running on that PC with those tools:
>
> Autorun
> http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/ [...] runs.shtml
>
> Process Explorer :
> (an enhanced Task Manager!)
> http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/ [...] cexp.shtml
>
> 8) Defrag the protected files ( Registry , hiberfil.sys, Pagefile.sys etc.)
>
> http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/ [...] frag.shtml
>
> 9) Optimize the prefetching
>
> Run this command :
> %windir%\system32\Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks
> usefull only when the computer is idle...
> The service Task Scheduler must be running and in automatic mode.
> Check this value:
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters
> The keyEnablePrefetcher REG_DWORD must be set to 3.
>
> 10) Safe & Cool ...
>
> Keep your system free of malwares (virus, worms,spywares, etc.)
> Keep your PC free of dust and check the temperatures with those tools:
>
> Everest:
> http://www.lavalys.com/
>
> SpeedFan
> http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
>
> Tell us if those procedures fix the problem.
>
>
>
> --
> Claude LaFrenière [MVP] :-)
>
> «My Principal Design Was To Inform, Not To Amuse Thee.»
> Lemuel Gulliver, The Travels (IV:12)
> http://climenole.serendipia.net
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

I've discovered a new thing (for me at least) about this bug of explorer : it
has expanded to the zip files.
Most of my problems comes from this expansion.
I have taken home some zip file with manuals and other things from my
office. Every time i try to open the directory with this files i loose 65
seconds!
This does not appen with win98 (my old notebook). I've copied files also on
a usb drive and the old notebook has only usb1. And did not append at work
with winNt4. Now I have winXp both in office and on my new notebook at home
and in both pc I have the problem.
The good news is : common dialogs don't seems to have this problem.(SORRY my
mistake . Probably I have been confused by the next problem)
Bad news : the cd-burning program (NTI CD&DVD maker) has the same bug as
explorer.Fortunately the cd-burning program can receive files from an
external file-manager so i must only pay attention not to put zip files on
the desktop that is opend by default.
I hope no other program will heritage this buggy beaviour.
It's really terrible to wait a minute just to open a directory.
Now i know that my notebook and my office pc don't have any problem.
It's really a bug of explorer that don't have the choice to enable or
disable this beavior.
WinAce,Nero,freeCommander don't have this problems.
I hope Microsoft will solve this bug.
Is there any way to comunicate bugs to Microsoft?

sorry for bad english (i'm italian).

"Claude LaFrenière" wrote:

> HI *LukeIt* :
>
> > Thanks for the reply.
> > But It reallt does not exists any way to stop the various dialogs from
> > loading all that unusefull informatio?
> > I dont need it !!!!
> > I will try all you wrote but not point 2 and 5 : i dont have a MAINFRAME but
> > just a base notebook and i dont want to overload it with informations i dont
> > need.
> > Remember that freeCommander goes very speed.
> > I dont think it is a drivers problem : i have the same situation at work (a
> > pc configured and mantained by professionals) but i will check.
> > Again thanks.
> > I need some time to do all that work but i will let you know the results.
> > Hy.
>
> I guess points 2 and 5 do not overload your PC but help Windows shell to
> run in a better way.
>
> OK : tell me the result.
>
>
> --
> Claude LaFrenière [MVP] :-)
>
> «My Principal Design Was To Inform, Not To Amuse Thee.»
> Lemuel Gulliver, The Travels (IV:12)
> http://climenole.serendipia.net
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

Only a bug with the operator.

--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://webdiary.smh.com.au/archive [...] 01075.html
=================================================
"LukeIt" <LukeIt@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2CEA783D-36AD-478D-8F70-C78C1754F03C@microsoft.com...
> Bug partialy resolved :
> regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
> So explorer dosn't try any more to manage zip file and make me loose 1
> minute just to see a directory.
> I've found this on http://www.winguides.com/registry
> Very big advantage for a very small disadvantage.
> I can manage zip file in many better ways.
> I've found even a way to stop explorer form extracting file information from
> AVI.
> Unfortunately It's not possible to delete this dangerous dll definitively
> because the system restore it automaticaly without asking confirmation
> (stupid system) and if i double click on a zip file the dll is registred
> again.
> Probably deleting all registry reference to this dll would solve the bug
> defibitively but it's a bit dangerous to modify register without good
> knowledge of consequences.
> Unfortunately again the bug of icons remains, so i must continue to use
> another file-manager instead of explorer.
> Thanks for every Help.
> See you soon.
>
> "LukeIt" wrote:
>
> > I've discovered a new thing (for me at least) about this bug of explorer : it
> > has expanded to the zip files.
> > Most of my problems comes from this expansion.
> > I have taken home some zip file with manuals and other things from my
> > office. Every time i try to open the directory with this files i loose 65
> > seconds!
> > This does not appen with win98 (my old notebook). I've copied files also on
> > a usb drive and the old notebook has only usb1. And did not append at work
> > with winNt4. Now I have winXp both in office and on my new notebook at home
> > and in both pc I have the problem.
> > The good news is : common dialogs don't seems to have this problem.(SORRY my
> > mistake . Probably I have been confused by the next problem)
> > Bad news : the cd-burning program (NTI CD&DVD maker) has the same bug as
> > explorer.Fortunately the cd-burning program can receive files from an
> > external file-manager so i must only pay attention not to put zip files on
> > the desktop that is opend by default.
> > I hope no other program will heritage this buggy beaviour.
> > It's really terrible to wait a minute just to open a directory.
> > Now i know that my notebook and my office pc don't have any problem.
> > It's really a bug of explorer that don't have the choice to enable or
> > disable this beavior.
> > WinAce,Nero,freeCommander don't have this problems.
> > I hope Microsoft will solve this bug.
> > Is there any way to comunicate bugs to Microsoft?
> >
> > sorry for bad english (i'm italian).
> >
> > "Claude LaFrenière" wrote:
> >
> > > HI *LukeIt* :
> > >
> > > > Thanks for the reply.
> > > > But It reallt does not exists any way to stop the various dialogs from
> > > > loading all that unusefull informatio?
> > > > I dont need it !!!!
> > > > I will try all you wrote but not point 2 and 5 : i dont have a MAINFRAME but
> > > > just a base notebook and i dont want to overload it with informations i dont
> > > > need.
> > > > Remember that freeCommander goes very speed.
> > > > I dont think it is a drivers problem : i have the same situation at work (a
> > > > pc configured and mantained by professionals) but i will check.
> > > > Again thanks.
> > > > I need some time to do all that work but i will let you know the results.
> > > > Hy.
> > >
> > > I guess points 2 and 5 do not overload your PC but help Windows shell to
> > > run in a better way.
> > >
> > > OK : tell me the result.
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Claude LaFrenière [MVP] :-)
> > >
> > > «My Principal Design Was To Inform, Not To Amuse Thee.»
> > > Lemuel Gulliver, The Travels (IV:12)
> > > http://climenole.serendipia.net
> > >
> > >

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

Thanks for ZipGenius.
Good software.Too many icons for my tastes but a very good software.
Compres, decompres and test compressed files.All I need.
And only when i want theres is much more.
And it's free.
Now zipfldr.dll wil no more create problems.
Thanks.
Bye.

"Claude LaFrenière" wrote:

> Buon Giorno *LukeIt* :
>
> Don't be sorry for your "bad english" ...
> I'm a french speaking Canadian and I guess some poeple here
> believed that I'm from another Planet when they read my posts. !!! :-D
>
> > Bug partialy resolved :
> > regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
> > So explorer dosn't try any more to manage zip file and make me loose 1
> > minute just to see a directory.
> > I've found this on http://www.winguides.com/registry
> > Very big advantage for a very small disadvantage.
> > I can manage zip file in many better ways.
>
> Very good news !
>
> > I've found even a way to stop explorer form extracting file information from
> > AVI.
> > Unfortunately It's not possible to delete this dangerous dll definitively
> > because the system restore it automaticaly without asking confirmation
> > (stupid system) and if i double click on a zip file the dll is registred
> > again.
>
> There is a solution :-D
>
> > Probably deleting all registry reference to this dll would solve the bug
> > defibitively but it's a bit dangerous to modify register without good
> > knowledge of consequences.
>
> Don't do this : I have a more simplissimo way !
>
> > Unfortunately again the bug of icons remains, so i must continue to use
> > another file-manager instead of explorer.
> > Thanks for every Help.
> > See you soon.
>
> One problem at the time. Solve the "Zipped files" first then we look for
> the icon problem.
>
> For Compressed and Uncompressed files I suggest you to use ZipGenius
> which replace the Windows one...
>
> It'a a high quality software: *Made in Italia* !!! ))
>
> «
> ZipGenius è la suite gratuita per l'archiviazione e la compressione dei
> files che stavi cercando da tanto tempo. ZipGenius riesce a gestire oltre
> 20 formati di compressione/archiviazione, inclusi RAR, ARJ, ACE, CAB, SQX,
> i documenti di OpenOffice.org e l'eccellente 7-zip. ZipGenius adesso
> permette anche di precomprimere i files eseguibili con UPX, prima che
> questi siano aggiunti ad un archivio ZIP.
> »
>
> http://www.zipgenius.it/index_ita.htm
>
> Et voilà.
>
> Let us know.Ciao !
>
>
> --
> Claude LaFrenière [MVP] :-)
>
> «My Principal Design Was To Inform, Not To Amuse Thee.»
> Lemuel Gulliver, The Travels (IV:12)
> http://climenole.serendipia.net
> Soon on www.msmvps.com
> Bientôt sur www.msmvps.com
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

Hi / Bonjour *LukeIt* :

> Thanks for ZipGenius.
> Good software.Too many icons for my tastes but a very good software.
> Compres, decompres and test compressed files.All I need.
> And only when i want theres is much more.
> And it's free.
> Now zipfldr.dll wil no more create problems.
> Thanks.
> Bye.

:-)

--
Claude LaFrenière [MVP] :-)

«My Principal Design Was To Inform, Not To Amuse Thee.»
Lemuel Gulliver, The Travels (IV:12)
http://climenole.serendipia.net
Soon on www.msmvps.com
Bientôt sur www.msmvps.com

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

It's incredible.
And the solution is so easy :
a menu to enable/disable only what you need.
And for security it would be better to instal with everithing disabled by
default.
Simple.
For me it's difficult to understand why they don't do that.
I mean : my WinXp is not a demo version to show all the possibility to public.
If i need something i can enable it only when i need it.
One of this days they will understand!
Hi.

"cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)" wrote:

> On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 13:40:08 -0700, LukeIt
> >"Claude LaFrenière" wrote:
>
> >> > Bug partialy resolved :
> >> > regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
> >> > So explorer dosn't try any more to manage zip file and make me loose 1
> >> > minute just to see a directory.
> >> > I've found this on http://www.winguides.com/registry
> >> > Very big advantage for a very small disadvantage.
> >> > I can manage zip file in many better ways.
>
> Absolutely - thanks for reminding me about the horror of built-in ZIP
> support, which has the following issues at least:
> - s-l-o-w- listing of files if "large" .ZIP files present in folder
> - doesn't show size of .ZIP in Status bar, only number of files
> - Find (Search) finds files in .ZIP, but doesn't show path
> - navigating into .ZIp spawns new single-pane window
> - extra ?exploitable risk surfaceauto-exposed to content
> - failure to extract silently aborts copies on certain errors
>
> Norton Commander for DOS had seamless support for .ZIP as if they were
> directories over a decade ago. MS still can't catch up.
>
> Three of the above go beyond nuisance value:
>
> 1) Find (Search) finds files in .ZIP, but doesn't show path
>
> That's really bad news, if you keep locally-visible .ZIP as quick data
> backups, because there's a risk someone will Search for a file, find
> it in the backup, and make changes to that instead of the "live" one.
>
> 2) Extra ?exploitable risk surfaceauto-exposed to content
>
> We've already had an example of exploitation of .ZIP, and another case
> where an av signature update from Trend crashed systems due to buggy
> archive extraction code. If malware were to exploit the handler that
> counts files in a .ZIP when all you wanted to do was search for
> something, or list the files in a folder, then that's a dangerous
> opportunity for dropped malware to auto-integrate and resist removal.
>
> Safety Rule #33: Do NOT "touch" risky material ahead of users' intent.
> What's "risky"? Anything the user has indicated no intention to
> "open", for starters. Let's say I have a HD that contains known
> malware file BLAH.ZIP that I can't delete because it is "in use", or
> the active form of the malware defends it. I drop the HD into another
> PC, so the malware isn't running, and navigate to where the file is -
> but as soon as the folder containing BLAH.ZIP is *listed*, the code
> exploits the OS and now I've infected the host PC.
>
> 3) Failure to extract silently aborts copies on certain errors
>
> This bit me in the ass, big time. I wanted to transfer some files
> between arbitrary PCs; copy to new PC, delete off old PC. I used a
> USB stick to do this, after zipping the files so they'd fit.
>
> I copied the .ZIP from USB to the destination PC, "explored" the .ZIP
> via native .ZIP support, and copied the files. No errors. As is my
> habit, I selected all in both windows, and checked Properties to see
> that file and byte counts matched. They did not; the .ZIP contained
> more files than where I'd copied the files to.
>
> If I'd gone ahead and deleted the .ZIP and original files off the
> source PC, I'd have been knee-deep, head-first in the dwang.
>
> I repeated the operation; same mileage, until I used a different USB
> stick. WinZip opened the bad .ZIP with no errors, but reported an
> invalid compression error in one particular file; it could copy out
> all the others. When re-testing with XP's native .ZIP compression, it
> could copy all the other files, but if the bad one were included, it
> would abort the copy at that point, failing to copy anything after
> that file had been encountered. And NO error messages at all.
>
> >> > I've found even a way to stop explorer form extracting file information from
> >> > AVI.
> >> > Unfortunately It's not possible to delete this dangerous dll definitively
> >> > because the system restore it automaticaly without asking confirmation
> >> > (stupid system) and if i double click on a zip file the dll is registred
> >> > again.
>
> Yup. I hate brain-damaged software that thinks it knows best. Can
> you say "hubris"? I do, daily; read a typical post of mine that
> breates poor software quality, and I'll bet you there will be at least
> two typos in that post, only one of which would have been deliberate
> as a subliminal example of hubris.
>
> If humans can't code 5 paragraphs of their native human language
> without screwing up, what chances fault-free million-line code?
>
> More on killing AVI lookup? We need ways to risk manage all of these
> "persistent handlers" (code that "touches" content when all we wanted
> to do was list files in a folder) as well as background file
> "touchers" such as indexing, SP, SFP, thumbnailers, and the .PF
> (PreFetch) defrag-info-fathering system.
>
> The AVI thing is a bitch, because the system will trudge through an
> entire 600M movie file if it's corrupted, looking for tags or
> whatever. User thinks it's a lockup, hits reset; now you have
> secondary file system damage, which "kill, bury, deny" AutoChk
> converts to broken files no longer detectable as broken files.
>
> And so even a pseudo-crash can cause real damage.
>
>
>
> >-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
> Tip Of The Day:
> To disable the 'Tip of the Day' feature...
> >-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user) wrote:
> On Fri, 8 Jul 2005 13:40:01 -0700, LukeIt
>
>
>>It's incredible.
>>And the solution is so easy :
>>a menu to enable/disable only what you need.
>>And for security it would be better to instal with everithing disabled by
>>default.
>>Simple.
>>For me it's difficult to understand why they don't do that.
>>I mean : my WinXp is not a demo version to show all the possibility to public.
>>If i need something i can enable it only when i need it.
>>One of this days they will understand!
>
>
> Yes, yes, yes.... and maybe. They may never understand, or rather;
> those within the org who do understand may be forever crushed by those
> who don't, but who bring more value to shareholders in other ways.
>
> Such is corporate life.
>
> OTOH, folks don't want to have to manually turn on a thousand settings
> to get things to work when they get a PC or "just" re-install Windows.
>
> So I'd take a different "cake and eat it" approach; offer a Safe List
> view in Explorer, that is like the current List view but also disables
> all the look-ahead "persistent handler" stuff.
>
> And I'd have Safe Mode default to that view.
>
>
>>"cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)" wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 13:40:08 -0700, LukeIt
>>>
>>>>"Claude LaFrenière" wrote:
>
>
>>>>>>Bug partialy resolved :
>>>>>>regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
>
>
> I've wrapped that in a .BAT (best saved as a .CMD, given that the
> syntax I used requires NT/Win2000/XP):
>
> <paste>
>
> @Echo Off
> If "%1"=="1" (
> Echo.
> Echo Enabling native XP .zip support...
> RegSvr32 zipfldr.dll
> Echo OK
> Echo.
> Pause
> Echo.
> Exit /b 0
> )
> If "%1"=="0" (
> Echo.
> Echo Disabling native XP .zip support...
> RegSvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
> Echo OK
> Echo.
> Pause
> Echo.
> Exit /b 0
> )
> Echo.
> Echo %0 is a utility to enable or disable XP's built-in support
> Echo for .zip files; valid parameters are 1 to enable, 0 to disable.
> Echo.
> Pause
> Echo.
> Exit /b 1
>
> </paste>
>
> This does what it does, but the effect is not what one wants.
>
> I wanted to kill XP's native .ZIP support so that .ZIP files no longer
> "open" with XP, and XP no longer "looks inside" to tell me I have X
> files within a .ZIP (I want the file size in bytes, just like any
> other file). That way, I can list a dir containing 1000+ .zip files
> totalling 800M+ in size, and not have Explorer.exe consuming 99% CPU
> time for several minutes while the Explorer window fails to repaint.
>
> Instead, what happens after unloading the .DLL is:
> - WinZip file association is destroyed (run WinZip to restore)
> - .zip icon becomes "generic file"
> - XP *still* displays number of files within .zip in the status bar
> - XP *still* "opens" .zip files as "folders"
>
> And after loading the .DLL again:
> - WinZip file association still destroyed (run WinZip to restore)
> - .zip icon becomes "compressed folder"
> - XP still displays number of files within .zip in the status bar
> - XP still "opens" .zip files as "folders"
>

I am not sure why I don't have this problem. Maybe because I upgraded
from Windows 2000 and ZipMagic to Windows XP and WinZip certain
behaviors never happened. Or maybe I have the settings in ZipMagic or
WinZip that prevent this from happening. I have no problems with zipped
files or directories with a large number of zipped files.


> Testing methodology:
> - save the batch file in the Path as XPZIP.CMD
> - start a command prompt
> - run Windows Explorer, verify baseline behavior (WinZip assn)
> - XPZip 0
> - run Windows Explorer, verify new behavior
> - XPZip 1
> - run Windows Explorer, verify new behavior
>
> I haven't tested what happens if I shutdown and restart Windows, but
> it's messy at best. Seems as if even MS don't have a clue about the
> newfangled ability to maintain *multiple* actions per file type, as
> debuted in Win95, and is still in the Win3.yuk "Ook, see file; Ugg,
> open with rock" stoneage. Geez, if they can't eat their own dogfood,
> what chance do we have with 3rd-party software vendor support?
>
>
>
>
>>------------------------ ---- --- -- - - - -
>
> Forget http://cquirke.blogspot.com and check out a
> better one at http://topicdrift.blogspot.com instead!
>
>>------------------------ ---- --- -- - - - -

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 12:58:02 -0700, LukeIt

>I repeat my first question : is there any way to stop Explorer from showing
>icons?
>Every time i insert a floppy with some dos program on it i must wait to many
>seconds in front of explorer just to see the default icons and so on.
>I repeat : i don't need any icon : is there any way to stop explorer from
>showing icons?

This is a problem that is getting worse - and the only answer I know
of is to use some other LFN-capable file manager. The bundled
Winfile.exe is Win3.yuk's file manager, which is NOT safe for LFNs -
and while you may not need icons, your installation really does need
Long File Names to be preserved.

Icon extraction is the oldest example of a class of behavior sometimes
described as "persistent handlers". As far as I can tell, a
"persistent handler" is code that goes into the content of files when
these files are listed, even if they are not "opened" or even
selected. A variation is where a selected file is delved into, so
that a ToolTip or "View As Web Page" summary can be displayed.

There are two aspects to the issue, and they overlap...

1) Performance

As you've noted, delving into the content of hundreds or thousands of
files, or even 4 files if they are on a slow "disk", clobbers
performance. Not only is it slow for that user, but network traffic
goes up when shared resources are listed.

Examples include:
- icons from the usual self-defining file types
- icons from other file types, e.g. "show image as icon"
- counting files in .zip
- thumbnails, both building/updating and extracting
- information from media files, e.g. .avi and .mp3
- antivirus scanners
- active file-infecting malware

The performance hit can spin out of control when a file is damaged, so
that structural assumptions are broken - for example, when an entire
600M .avi is searched for tags that aren't there, due to corruption of
the file's structure and/or content. Which leads on to...

2) Safety

By now, we should know that code does not only do what it is designed
to do. Every time material is handled, there's the risk that defects
in the handling code can allow deliberately malformed content to run
as code, or at least crash the system and thus mount a DoS attack.

Because "persistent handler" code acts beyond user intent, the
software vendor becomes 100% liable for any leverage that this may
afford to malware attacks.

How can a user delete a suspect file, if as soon as the folder
containing the file is viewed, the file exploits a persistent handler
to run as raw code? If you say, "use the command prompt instead",
then what you are really saying is that the GUI is unfit for use for
the most mundane of tasks; routine file management.

It's interesting to note that the file types which are allowed to
define their own icons, are the most dangerous types of files on the
system; .EXE, .PIF, .LNK - so much for "you don't need file name
extensions anymore, just look at the icons". Huge clue defecit.


Unfortunately, it seems as if MSFT is oblivious of the risks (or still
has the hubris to say "trust us, we won't make a misteak" ). Each new
version of Windows seems hell-bent on adding more persistent handlers
and other look-ahead that acts beyond user intent (autorunning CDs,
automatically "fixing" file system errors via AutoChk, automatically
installing code-of-the-day patches, automatically initiating SR
archiving on new HDs even if they may be from other systems, or at
risk due to surface defects or file system corruption) and there's no
clue about curtailing this behavior.

Many of these risks apply even in "Safe Mode", and as yet there's no
maintenance OS from MS for NTFS, one wonders how hostile (malware)
code is to be managed, short of sacrificing the system.

There's a counterflow between moves to make post-FATxx file systems
more efficient for large numbers of small files, and this trend that
increases the per-file overhead whenever files are listed.

The first trend could free databases from the need to manage container
files, so that each record could be stored as a file itself.

The second trend crushes that dream.



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I'm baaaack!
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