Windows 10: system freezes up after any change in volume

Recently my computer has started doing this thing where if I change the volume everything will freeze for several seconds before allowing me to do anything again. I've restarted several times, updated audio and video drivers, ran antivirus scans, and nothing is working. the first time I updated the video drivers it significantly decreased the amount of lag, but then after a couple hours it was back to the same way it was before. This is immensely frustrating especially since I do a lot of work with audio and find myself needing to change the volume rather often.


I should note that it has only started doing this in the past few weeks or so, and it started happening after an update, and despite having updated again since, the problem has persisted. I have only seen one other question about this but it is locked and the provided answer did not help. My computer is by no means top of the line or anything, but it has been fine and should be able to deal with a simple change in volume.


My system specs:

OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Version 10.0.18362 Build 18362

CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-4150 CPU @ 3.50GHz

Motherboard: GA H81M-DS2V

RAM: 16 GB

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB

:)

 

Windows 10 volume is always defaulted to 36 and I can't change it

Hi Ajinc,

It could be some outdated sound drivers or some audio enhancements that caused the issue you are experiencing with controlling your system volume. To narrow down such concern, we'd like to ask a few questions:

• Which version and build of Windows 10 is currently installed on your computer? To check, click on the
  Start > Settings > System >
  About.
• What are the troubleshooting steps that you've tried so far?
• Were there any changes made on your computer settings prior to this issue?

Meanwhile, we suggest that you perform the steps listed here. Those are troubleshooting steps suitable for sound problems.

Update us if the steps above helped you in resolving your concern.

 

Removing errant files in the "System Volume Information" folder under Windows 10.

Hi,

Thank you for posting your response.

I suggest you to first stop Volume Shadow Copy service and try to remove the files and check. Follow the steps provided below:

Step 1: Stop Volume Shadow Copy service

• 
  Press Windows logo Key + R key.
  
• 
  Type services.msc.
  
• 
  Search for Volume Shadow Copy service.
  
• 
  Right click on it and select
  Stop.
  

Now, take ownership of the System volume Information folder and then try to delete its contents.

Step 2: File permissions.

• Right click on System volume Information folder.
• Select Properties.
• Go to Security tab.
• Select the user name.
• Click on Edit button.
• Under permission to Authenticated user, check on full control.
• Click on Apply and OK button.

Hope it helps. Do let us know the status of the issue. If you need further assistance, get back to us. We will be glad to assist you.

 

Changing the system volume drive letter safe?

It depends. Need some more information. Is your boot volume c: ? If so, then others can be changed around as needed, but there may be collateral damage. Usually, if there are pointers set in the registry, as long as you use the storage management plugin to change the drive letter assignments, most things should work.

Trouble comes in the form of applications that keep file system information (folders, path names, etc) in files that are stored in directories during installation. Those usually cannot be changed easily, unless you know that they are there and where they are....

What drive letters are you trying to change specifically, and what is the operating system