Windows 10: File Explorer in Windows 10 Not Opening Folders

I meant everything was working now---but unfortunately it lasted only a few minutes. Now Explorer++ and Windows Explorer have reverted back to approx 1 minute to start again. Don't know why it worked for a bit - but thanks for the try. Will send screenshot like you requested if that's ok.

 

Better to run a UVK scan because it will detail installed software and versions along with shell extensions.

 

Ok - is this the UVK you mean?

Download UVK Ultra Virus Killer Portable - MajorGeeks

Just in case, here is the screenshot of my right-click menu, too.

 

RE: UVK - see post#9 in this thread for download and settings. It's just to get a better look at installed software and shell extensions.

 

Unfortunately your context menu screenshot is for a zipped folder rather than a regular folder!

 

So to recap a little.

Need to try:

Disable Automatic Folder Template Discovery for all folders and subfolders plus libraries.

Not yet mentioned:

Clear thumbnail cache: Clear and Reset Thumbnail Cache in Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

Turn off thumbnail previews: Enable or Disable Thumbnail Previews in File Explorer in Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

It's just a test to see if Explorer is tripping up on corrupt image files/ thumbnails.

Also consider the following if you have a number of video files stored on your machine:

Where are the Most Recently Used Lists? - Page 3 - Windows 7 Help Forums

and this from the following post in that thread:

Explorer is known to slow down if it can't read corrupt media files or their thumbnails.

 

Thanks,Callender. So far I have Cleared cache, Turned of thumbnail previews, disabled auto folder template, and removed all videos files to an old ext disk. So far no luck. However, I seem to have found a workaround. If I put a shortcut for This PC on desktop.and initially open it (which is normal time) then leave it open minimized to the taskbar, it can be used to open normally Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Control Panel etc. As long as it is left open in the taskbar, minimized, all the others work ok too. But they still won't open from the menu (Classic Shell Start Menu). BTW Classic Shell has a a third party software shell extension, which was NOT installed on this pc, but do you suppose Start Menu might be causing the problem? I initially uninstalled Classic Shell and the problem was still there - maybe some remnants left? Appreciate all your help. Will run UVK as soon as I get time on the pc. Thanks.

 

Sorry about that - here is one that is not zipped.

 

Hi. Your screenshot still appears to show right click context menu when clicking on a file. Would really like to see one from the right click on a folder context menu.

RE: ClassicShell. It might be the problem if you upgraded to the latest version of windows 10 and had ClassicShell installed.

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update contained improvements to Cortana. Cortana is embedded in the Start menu. Classic Shell as far as I know replaces the start Menu amongst other things.

What’s new in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update - Windows Experience BlogWindows Experience Blog

From command prompt type winver to see which version of windows you at running:





Personally I experienced problems so rolled back to the previous version of windows. I reckon problems were caused by tweaking windows too much including disabling Cortana. The solution for me would appear to be to undo tweaks and then install the update or else clean install windows. I'll live with it for the time being.

You could try uninstalling ClassicShell then reset PC but it's up to you.

Reset Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

 

I am embarrassed to post this - but my problem seems to be fixed and I don't know what actually worked. The last thing I did was to change Open File Explorer from "Quick Access" to This PC" in the drop-down menu. Not sure if that was the fix or all the other things I had previously tried - anyway, I'll take the current status and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks so much Callender for your posts - learned a lot from your suggestions and I appreciate it.

 

Glad you got it sorted. I wouldn't have thought of your solution! I've always had explorer set to open to This PC on my machine. *Smile