Google Drive Shared Folders Slow in Windows File Explorer
Workaround available Windows Updated October 21, 2026
Quick answer
After Windows update KB5094126, folders shared through Drive for desktop can load slowly in File Explorer. Google added a temporary HideSharedFoldersIconsWindows option in Drive for desktop 132.0 to work around it.
Most likely fix: Update Drive for desktop.
Symptoms
File Explorer hangs or takes a long time to open shared folders inside the Google Drive drive letter.
Why it happens
- Shared-folder icon overlays slowing File Explorer after Windows update KB5094126
- Older Drive for desktop version without the workaround
How to fix it
Try these in order — the most common fix is first.
1. Update Drive for desktop
- Install Drive for desktop 132.0 (September 2026) or later
2. Enable the HideSharedFoldersIconsWindows setting
- Workspace admins or users can set the HideSharedFoldersIconsWindows option described in Google's Drive for desktop release notes
- Restart Drive for desktop
- Note: Google says this temporary option may be removed later
This guide also covers
- google drive slow file explorer
- google drive for desktop slow windows 11
- google drive shared folders slow
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