Egnyte has listed key recommendations to help address intermittent performance issues that users may occasionally encounter, such as Windows File Explorer hanging or freezing for up to 20 minutes. These recommendations are based on a detailed investigation that identified a set of actions proven to significantly improve overall performance.
This article covers the three critical steps users can take to ensure optimal performance when utilizing the Desktop App for Windows.
Checklist for Performance Improvements
Keep the Desktop App Client Updated
The most significant factor contributing to performance degradation can be the use of outdated Desktop App versions.
- Issue: Many users may be running versions that are over two years old, missing critical fixes and performance improvements that have been regularly released.
- Resolution: Enable the auto-update feature or regularly deploy the newest version of the Desktop App clients can prove to be highly effective.
- Impact: Updating the clients reduces the majority of user-reported performance issues to only a handful of remaining incidents.
Prefer Egnyte Search Over Windows File Explorer Search
The native Windows File Explorer search functionality has been identified as a source of reproducible performance issues for some users.
- Issue: A few users experience reproducible performance degradation after using Windows File Explorer Search multiple times.
- Resolution: Train the users to avoid Windows File Explorer Search and instead use the more efficient Egnyte Search feature directly within the Desktop App interface.
Use the Main Windows File Explorer Panel for Folder Expansion
A specific behavior within Windows File Explorer's interface causes consistent degradation on certain user machines.
- Issue: Consistently reproducible performance degradation occurs when users expand folders via the left-hand navigation panel in Windows File Explorer. Packet captures reveal that the left panel aggressively pre-fetches the contents of all listed folders, unlike the main panel, which only loads the content of the folder being actively displayed.
- Resolution: Users should avoid expanding folders using the Windows File Explorer left-panel and instead use the main Explorer panel on the right for folder expansion.
This has been observed transitioning to the main panel does not negatively impact workflow.
Please open a Support case for additional assistance and investigation in case the issues continue even after following the above mentioned recommendations.