Windows 10: context menu "open with" freezes all explorer and no icon update

I had several symptoms:"open with" in the context menu would freeze teh context menu and all explorer processes; I could only use the task manager to restart explorerin explorer, a folder with jpg images usually would show the image with "large icon" and bigger, but nothing would show but the default iconfolders content icon would not be updated and show an empty folder while it is not empty

:)

 

Context Menu "Open with" freeze

This problem annoyed me for a week

3 related issues:

• context menu works fine, and all submenus open well such as "view" and "sort by", except "Open with":
  • when i hover on "Open with", Windows Explorer freezes and i have to restart it in Task Manager
  • some files won't even let me open context menu, they just freeze Windows Explorer
    
• image thumbnails and sometimes taskbar icons disappear or become
  blank icons of paper (refresh doesn't work):
  • when i try to upload an image to any website (Facebook or Steam) i can't see which blank piece of paper to choose
• cannot access "Personalisation" or "Accounts" in system settings:
  • when i try to change my desktop background or change my account profile picture, "Settings" app freezes and i have to end task in Task Manager

Solutions i have tried:

• AdwCleaner
• disabling 3rd party programs in ShellExView
• clean boot
• safe mode boot
• elevated cmd
  • Sfc /scannow
  • thumbnail cache clear
• PC reset

Nothing worked

Windows 10 Home 64-bit

8gb RAM

Intel Core i7 4700MQ

Intel HD Graphics 4600

Toshiba Satellite P75-A7100

 

Context Menu - Open With (Windows Suggested List)

Well.. have a look at this:

I took a risk. I've set a System Restore point then installed Gold Wave. It was not present in that Open With list. I used the Default Programs Editor:

Did you click Save...? You should have seen:

Note: if you are running as a standard user you may need to run it as admin, if it doesn't offer a UAC prompt.

- opened via Open With as above.

 

Context Menu - Open With (Windows Suggested List)

OS: Windows 10 Pro x64 22H2 Diagram 'A' shows Windows' suggested programs Diagram 'B' shows the extended list I have been trying to edit the context menu's "Open with" list of Windows' suggested programs for the .mp3 extension. I'm not talking about the extended list, but rather the programs that first appear 'before' the "choose another app" option. If you look at Diagram 'A' you will see the preliminary list generated by Windows, this is the list I am looking to modify. I have an .mp3 editor named Goldwave that I use for editing audio files, however, I do not want to change the preliminary program Windows uses to open .mp3s. My .mp3s should remain assigned to Winamp Player. Any help would be greatly appreciated.