How many files in one folder ?

[Guest]

Hi,
I am about to finish my digitalisation project and have put all my CD's in
mp3 format. For the moment all MP3's have been stored in one folder. There
about 22000 MP3 files. This is roughly 140 Gig.
Now my system is getting really slow. If I open the MP3 folder, to move one
of the files, it takes ages before the file can be selected. The MP3's are
all on my internal drive (500 Gig). How do I organize the MP3's on my PC ?
Subfolders based on 'artist name' is no option as many artists names start
with "The". How many files can I put in one folder without loosing too much
speed ?

 

[Ron Martell]

Hi,
I am about to finish my digitalisation project and have put all my CD's in
mp3 format. For the moment all MP3's have been stored in one folder. There
about 22000 MP3 files. This is roughly 140 Gig.
Now my system is getting really slow. If I open the MP3 folder, to move one
of the files, it takes ages before the file can be selected. The MP3's are
all on my internal drive (500 Gig). How do I organize the MP3's on my PC ?
Subfolders based on 'artist name' is no option as many artists names start
with "The". How many files can I put in one folder without loosing too much
speed ?

FAT32 or NTFS file system?

A FAT32 folder can only hold 65,534 entries in the directory. Files
that use long file names require a minimum of 3 directory entries per
file and may need more, depending on the total length of the file
name. So with 22,000 files in one folder you are at or near the limit
for FAT32.

I am not aware of any such limit with NTFS drives.

With a vast number of files in a folder it will take a long time to
open. Period.

As for organizing your files, that is largely a matter of personal
preference. With regard to the names of the artists it is a very
common business practice to ignore the word "The" at the beginning of
a name for filing purposes. For example in a businesses invoices
from a supplier named "The Letter Box" would be filed under L not T.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Jim]

Hi,
I am about to finish my digitalisation project and have put all my CD's in
mp3 format. For the moment all MP3's have been stored in one folder. There
about 22000 MP3 files. This is roughly 140 Gig.
Now my system is getting really slow. If I open the MP3 folder, to move
one
of the files, it takes ages before the file can be selected. The MP3's are
all on my internal drive (500 Gig). How do I organize the MP3's on my PC ?
Subfolders based on 'artist name' is no option as many artists names start
with "The". How many files can I put in one folder without loosing too
much
speed ?

You organize your files and folders in a manner that makes sense to you.

Folders are searched sequentially. Thus, the more files, to slower the
access. Only you can know when the search starts taking too long.

Evidently, 22000 files is way to many to suit your preferences.

Jim