File management problems - hangs, freezes in Big Sur Version 11.0.01

Download and run Etrecheck. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC and recommended by Apple Support  to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.

Copy the report

and use the Additional Text button to include the report in your reply.

IMPORTANT:

Before running Etrecheck assign Full Disk Access to Etrecheck in the Etrecheck's Privacy preference pane so that it can get additional information from the Console and log files for the report:

Also click and read the About info to further permit full disk access.

Then we can examine the report and see if we can determine what might be causing the problem.

I think I've solved it. In my case I ran disk utility first aid on all sectors of my MBP HD, including the main "Apple SSD" and the "Container" separately. Warning this took 3 or 4 minutes and your Mac is useless during it. Then I rebooted and this reboot took longer than normal by a good 15 or 20 seconds -- something was getting repaired. After my first reboot, the file-dragging problem seemed fixed but Messages would not open and I had to force quit a couple times. I logged out and back into Google and confirmed my MBP was properly connected with permissions via my phone, then rebooted once more. This reboot proceeded normally, I opened Mail first, then Safari, then Messages and all opened and are operational. And the file dragging snag thing is gone. Hope this helps.

Hello MajorVoid,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

It is our understanding from your post that after updating your MacBook Pro to macOS Big Sur, you were trying to organize your files and the Mac hangs, heats up and freezes. We recommend testing the issue while your Mac is in safe mode.  The following articles have the steps you will need to test the issue in safe mode:

How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

"Safe mode prevents your Mac from loading certain software as it starts up, including login items, system extensions not required by macOS, and fonts not installed by macOS. It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility. And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and the kernel cache, which are automatically created again as needed."

Best Regards. 

How about the Etrecheck report?

MajorVoid,

Since the issue is happening both in safe mode and after upgrading to macOS Big Sur, that would be an indication that the issue is not due to a 3rd party application or the macOS software itself. Using the steps in this article may help:

If your Mac runs slowly - Apple Support

Regards.

I have the exact same issue on a 2020 MBP running 11.1. I have plenty of disk free space, over 250 GB, and 16GB of RAM. It does this with no other programs running. It is DEFINITELY a Big Sur snag that needs to be corrected...