System and methods are provided for improved directory enumeration on shared client directories in virtual desktops. A merged I/O request containing multiple expected I/O requests for enumerating a directory can be produced on the virtual desktop. The merged I/O request can be conveyed to the client device and a merged I/O response containing multiple I/O responses to the expected I/O requests can be received from the client device. The received I/O responses can be stored in cache memory on the virtual desktop and used to respond to subsequent queries for enumerating the directory on the virtual desktop.