In my experience, we paid for the fee in full right after submitting the application. Also, what do you mean with your "other file"? You have two applications?
It depends with the VO. My file was transferred to Manila VO as well then got PPR two days later. Though I didn't have a complex case, maybe yours would be different from mine by a lot.
There is no way to know if it's approved unless IRCC updates your profile. Sure 90% of the time it's approved, there are still some that gets rejected/returned
It usually comes within a week or two. Check your GCKey if your PPR has been sent as a message there. Everyone gets a COPR detail whether approved or not as this is a document number for a specific file or case. You should try to wait a bit more or contact IRCC through webform.
Yeah you have to collect it. I think you need to call the VFS if you want it delivered instead to you and coordinate with them regarding the payment. If you opted for a 2-way courier, then it should have to be delivered to you.
I think as long as there's no problem with the documents you submitted and submission is complete, it would be faster. I did heard Mississauga is really fast with processing simple and complete documents. Ours took almost 7 months, average completion time was 12 months.