Extremely Slow Finder Functions

I upgraded to macOS Sierra a couple of days ago and I've noticed some extreme slowdowns in certain tasks:

1. Moving a file (~200k) from 1 folder to another on the Desktop can take 20-30 seconds - I routinely see a window that says 'Preparing to move filename' in the upper right corner.

2. Opening/Saving files in pretty much any program (although Adobe Illustrator CC 2015.3 is even slower!) - It can take 45 sec to a minute just to see the Open/Save dialog after I press Command-O or Command-S.

3. Application Not Responding messages on many programs (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, The Unarchiver, MS Word, etc.) I've lost count of the number of times I've Force-Quit and Rebooted in the last 2 days.

I'm running a 17-inch, Late 2011, MacBook Pro with 16Gb RAM and a 1Tb SS Hard Drive. (And I am linked to a Dropbox for Business account for work - I need to access this a lot for the files that I use.)

Any ideas on what I can do to speed things up a bit? Or should I just downgrade beck to El Capitan?

Thanks!

Posted on Sep 23, 2016 6:29 AM

Top-ranking reply

tomp_home

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Dec 17, 2017 3:47 AM

I have had this problem for some time now. Basically whenever finder was asked to load a file onto a webpage, through Safari, attach a file to an email, drag, drop any file, it was stupidly slow. 5 minutes often. Was on the verge of replacing the computer and buying a windows PC again.

I have tried all the more technical solutions, deleting plist files etc, moving files to an external drive to create more hard drive space, resetting safari, but someone suggested disconnecting some accounts in System Preferences, Internet Accounts.

It was the iCloud Drive account that was slowing this down. Simply disconnecting it and suddenly the computer is like new. Apple needs to sort that out!

I suppose it is possible that iCloud Drive is conflicting in some way with Backblaze (which backs my entire Mac up) or Dropbox.

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21 replies

Seancjpr

Level 1

9 points

Oct 26, 2016 8:45 AM in response to RonP317

Also having this problem. Start up takes up to 10 minutes. Gets stuck in finder 5+ minutes. Finder occasionally freezes and have to hard reset. Launching programs in dock just bounce in the dock and never launch. Have to force quit. Can not open system preferences at all. Finally got Illustrator to launch - but not from the dock - from the application in the application folder. Took around 10 + minutes to launch Illustrator. Opening a file I was working on took another 5 minutes. Once the file was open experienced constant lags and spinning beach ball to do very basic things (copy items, move items, edit text). If I was working on a big illustration I would not be able to get anything done so basically the computer is non-functional from a work standpoint. I have about 70% free space - will try to move all files to external drive and restart.😟

Hours of wasted time. So frustrating. Anyone know how to go back to el Capitan?

Dec 12, 2016 6:33 AM in response to chintamaniv

Thank you so much! I have been searching for a solution like this for months. I was preparing to cough up $50 and bring my computer in... Having gone through the cloudd and cloudmetadata procedure a variety of different ways and times to no avail, I can say with confidence that that the solution is in the Internet accounts reset. Now back to enjoying a fast Mac!

kmistry

Level 1

9 points

Dec 16, 2016 12:38 PM in response to chintamaniv

Thank you for this! I was also having very slow file / finder issues. I just deleted the iCloud internet account and its already working MUCH better...

Mar 23, 2017 4:12 PM in response to chintamaniv

Thanks! You are the one. More helpful than calling AppleCare service

hziniya

Level 1

4 points

Mar 26, 2017 4:30 AM in response to chintamaniv

THANKS A LOT MATE.

Jun 1, 2017 2:53 PM in response to chintamaniv

I followed all of these to no avail. Has anyone else had any luck with this? Mine just started slowing down today for some reason.

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Extremely Slow Finder Functions