@BillH, I hadn't thought of that alternative, however, that would leave all the files in 1 folder, I don't know if it would work.
@bernhard, not 100% sure, I'm currently emptying the empty folders, however it's not a permanent fix. Any idea how I could prove if it is indeed the folders? I/O monitor does not show any peak loads.
@teppo I didn't know about this, I'll set up a local copy and do the test, thanks.