How To Fix Slow File Transfer Speed On Windows 10/11

No one likes waiting for files to transfer when other things are pending too that you need to get done with. Even worse is when the file transfer takes ages to finish. And that seems to be a prevalent issue in Windows 10 and 11. Many users complain of slow file transfer regardless of where the files are being transferred to and from. Here is how to fix slow transfer speed on Windows 10/11.

Whether it’s a file transfer from an internal device, between two computers, or from and to an external device, the files still transfer sluggishly. To fight the cause of the problem, we dug around and found many plausible causes as to why one may be facing the issue. To start off, there may be system file corruption or any third-party software interference. The following fixes will help you with the slow file transfer speed issue on Windows.

Fix 1 – Run System Error Check Scan

The first thing mentioned previously regarding slow file transfer on Windows 10 and 11 was system file corruption. So, in such cases, you’ll have to run a system check scan to help identify and solve the problem. The great thing about this fix is that the tool needed to run the scan is conveniently present in Windows 10 and 11. To run the scan:

• Press Windows and E keys simultaneously to open File Explorer.
• Head to This PC option.
• Right-click on the drive experiencing slow transfer when transferring files in and out of it.
• Click on Properties.
• Select Tools.
• Click on the Check button next to Error checking.
• Click Yes.
• Click on Scan drive.
• When the driver is found, repair all the errors.

Fix 2 – Enable Defragmentation Service

This fix is for users with the slow file transfer issue on the traditional HDD that had never been defragmented. So, in such a case, one needs to reconfigure the Optimize drivers service and configure it to Automatic. To follow through the steps:

• Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously.
• Run dialog box will pop up.
• In the text box type ‘services.msc’.
• Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
• Click Yes.
• The Services screen will show up now.
• Select Services (Local).
• On the right tab, scroll down to Optimize Drives.
• Once you’ve fallen upon the correct service, right-click on Optimize Drives.
• Click on Properties.
• Click on the General tab.
• Change the Startup type to Automatic.
• Click on Apply to save the changes.
• Reboot/Restart your PC.

That is all for our fixes for slow transfer speed on Windows 10 and 11. If you are facing errors and issues with other PC games or your PC, then also see our hub for commonly occurring PC errors and their fixes.