Windows 10: My file explorer freezes when i click an application, please help!

When i open file explorer everything is fine i can access things but when i click an app it freezes for a very very very long-time and i don't 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.

 

File Explorer freezes in certain files

It seems that a systematic approach is required. From your previous posts I take it that the following statements are correct:

• Windows Explorer freezes when you double click any type of file (.docx, .xlsx, .txt, .mp3, .jpg)
• The problem happens independently of the folder where these files reside.
• The problem does not happen while in Safe Mode.
• The problem persists after formatting the system partition and re-installing Windows 10 from a Windows 10 installation medium.

If all of the above statements are correct then one would conclude that the problem is caused by some application that you installed after re-installing Windows. To find out what it is you need to do this:

• Perform yet another installation of Windows.
• Create an image of the completed installation. Store it on an external USB disk.
• Check if the problem persists.
• If it does not, install one or two of your applications.
• Check if the problem is back. If it is, uninstall the new applications or restore the image you created in Step 2.
  
• If the problem is not back, install more applications and keep checking if the problem returns.

 

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.