Garmin Express + Forerunner 235 + incredible slow

Some more findings: On initial connect, some sync starts for about 15 min, then a search for updates starts for about 2h. When this is finished, the device is no longer connected. Reconnecting the device starts the whole thing over with syncing.
As I use SportTracks, I do not need the whole sync, however without Express I am unable to get access to the device.

Lucky me: When sync finishes, the track is already uploaded to Connect, so I can export from there as FIT and reimport into SportTracks.

Why is this so clumsy? The 610 worked perfectly smooth. Maybe I should return the 235 to Garmin.

Progress!

Some progress on this. I have now synced twice with much faster results. Yet to see if that situation lasts.

First I downloaded Garmin Express 5.5.0.0 and saved it to a place I could get to easily.

Then I uninstalled Garmin Express, leaving other Garmin applications alone. I deleted all folders and files in the "C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin" directory that had anything to do with Garmin Express, usually shown by the full name or just "Express" in the name. There was even an old "Express Self Updater" directory in there, and that name has now been updated to "Express SelfUpdater", so it was old. I had both the old and new directories.

I edited the Registry and removed all records with "Garmin Express" in them. I don't think this was necessary, but there were quite a lot of old version Display Names in there, which should have been cleaned up by previous upgrades.

I then completely Shut Down the PC, made a coffee (important!), then cold booted the PC, installed Garmin Express 5.5.0.0, started Garmin Express without my device connected, added my "Vivoactive HR" back to Garmin Express, connecting it as part of the process, and then it synced almost immediately and checked for updates very fast, confirming I was all up to date.

I then disconnected my Vivoactive HR, closed Garmin Express, then reopened it, had a little trouble getting the Vivoactive HR connected again, but not too much, then it synced in about three minutes, with no lockup of the PC as previously, and no long spell sitting "Checking for updates". Previously at best it took 3 minutes or so to sync, then other 5 minutes or so to check for updates, during which time I couldn't open Windows Explorer, or popup the Task Bar, and the background image disappeared after a while, maybe when I tried to open Windows Explorer, and nothing came back to normal until the Check for updates finished.

Note that usually I don't leave Garmin Express running in the background, because years of experience have shown that is a bad idea. Garmin Express behaves badly. But this latest installation set it to run in the background, and automatically launch on detection of a device. I've left it that way for now, but will turn it off if it gives me trouble again.

So, try the complete uninstall - reinstall process and see if that helps you. Make sure you get rid of all the bits of old versions.



EDIT: I have done at least three more updates since the above comments, including settings changes and activity recording. Garmin Express seems to be working a whole lot better. Still not real fast, but no more long delays. Syncs a Walk activity in about 30 seconds.

BTW, if anyone needs more information on uninstalling Garmin Express, or it doesn't work for them, try this method: https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?378655-Reinstall-Garmin-Express&p=999236#post999236

:- ) Yes, this made my day. Unistalled everything except BaseCamp, manually delete files, manually deleted registry entries, let CCleaner clear up.
Rebooted.
Reinstalled Garmin express as well as the communicator plugin (needed for SportTracks).

Forerunner is detected woth no problem. On every connect the sync starts, but needs only about 5 min, the following search for updates is nearly instant. Foreunner keeps being connected so Sporttracks finds the device without poblems.

Thumbs Up!

Excellent.

My installation is still working quickly and properly after nearly two days and many syncs, so here is hoping it will keep working well.