Why does my downloads folder take so long to load?

By default, the Downloads folder tries to index files as Pictures, which is taking a long time.

From here:

1. Right click your Downloads folder
2. Go to Customize
3. Select Document or General items from the drop down
4. If Document was already selected, choose Also apply this template to all subfolders

This occurs as windows tries to optimize your download folder as a video folder or music folder or something other.It takes time when windows tries to draw icons for all the items in folder.So the fix will be to specifically tell windows to optimize the folder for general items.for this :

1. right click and open Properties
2. select Customize tab
3. select Optimize for General Items from the drop-down menu