Windows 10: explorer within applications freezing

Hi all, Ever since I got this new computer, I've had an annoying problem that I've never had before. Particularly in Audacity but it's happened to me elsewhere, I'll be moving pretty quickly browsing for a new file when my screen reader crashes. When I restart it, I've found that the file explorer dialog is frozen. Sometimes I can wait a few minutes for it to unfreeze, but most of the time I'm not patient enough for that to happen, so I just restart the program and eventually I can get it to work. Any idea how I can fix this once and for all?

:)

 

window file explorer freezes while black strip comes above the explorer window

Hi Sunny,

Windows Explorer freezes may be due to third-party programs or virus infection. As an initial troubleshooting step, temporarily disable your antivirus programs. After that, replicate the issue if it will freeze. You can enable your antivirus program after
we troubleshoot.

If the issue persists, you can try refreshing/restarting Windows Explorer by following these steps:

• Open Task Manager by typing it in the Cortana search bar, then press Enter.
• Look for Windows Explorer, then right-click it and select End task.
• The taskbar will disappear at the bottom of your screen.
• On the Task Manager, look for any installed application like your browser.
• Right-click it and select the Open file location. A new window will appear.
  
• Click the File tab and select Open Windows Powershell, then select Open Windows Powershell as administrator.
• Type in explorer.exe and press Enter.

It should put the taskbar back at the bottom of your screen. Check if it will freeze again.

Keep us posted after performing the troubleshooting steps.

 

Windows Explorer freeze

Hi Igor,

For us to better assist you, we'd like to ask a few questions with regard to freezing File Explorer.

• Have you made any changes to your computer before experiencing this issue?
• Have you tried any troubleshooting steps before posting this concern? If yes, what are those?

Looking forward to your response.

 

File Explorer freezes when hovering the cursor over the "create" section.

Hi Alex,

To better assist you, we'd like to know the following:

• Did you make any changes prior to this issue?
• Are you getting any error messages after File Explorer freezes?
• What troubleshooting have you done so far?

In the meantime, we suggest you restart Windows Explorer by following the steps below:

• Type Task Manager in search bar.
• Click Task Manager.
• On the pop-up window, under Windows processes, scroll-down to
  Windows Explorer.
• Right-click Windows Explorer, and click Restart.

We look forward to your response.

Thank you.