Windows 10: FIle Explorer keeps freezing

This morning Windows Update applied 3 updates, KB4484126 for Office, KB4484238 for Office, and KB4549951 for WIndows 1909.


Since then File Explorer has repeatedly locked up. It will quit displaying file previews in the preview pane, sometimes it won't even show the files in a particular folder, and eventually it becomes completely unresponsive and has to be killed.


Anyone know how to fix this?

:)

 

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.

 

Feb 2019: File explorer keeps freezing after opening a file

Hi Casey,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand the inconvenience you are facing in accessing the files/folders. I also appreciate your effort in trying to fix the issue.



Provide us additional information to assist you better with this issue:

1. Are you getting any specific error code/error message while trying to open the file?
   
2. Are you aware of any recent changes made on the device?
   
3. Which version of Windows are running on your device?
   

Refer the article Which Windows operating system am I running for the information.



However, I would suggest you to follow the steps mentioned below.



Method 1

Restart Windows Explorer

1. Click on Start, type in “Task Manager”
   
2. Now go to Process tab. Click on Windows Explorer and
   Restart.
   
3. Then check the status of the issue.
   
4. If the issue still persist, try with the method 2.
   

Method 2

I suggest you to try the suggested steps from the article Fix File Explorer
if it won't open or start and check the status of the issue.





Hope it helps. Get back to us for further assistance on this issue. We will be happy to help you.







Muralidhar

Microsoft Community Moderator

 

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.